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Shen H, Zhao L, Guo Z, Yuan H, Yang J, Wang X, Guo Z, Deng C, Wu F. Dynamic link between Neo-Tethyan subduction and atmospheric CO 2 changes: insights from seismic tomography reconstruction. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:637-644. [PMID: 36907675 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Volcanic arc degassing contributes significantly to atmospheric CO2 levels and therefore has a pivotal impact on paleoclimate changes. The Neo-Tethyan decarbonation subduction is thought to have played a major role in Cenozoic climate changes, although there are still no quantifiable restrictions. Here we build past subduction scenarios using an improved seismic tomography reconstruction method and calculate the subducted slab flux in the India-Eurasia collision region. We find remarkable synchronicity between calculated slab flux and paleoclimate parameters in the Cenozoic, indicating a causal link between these processes. The closure of the Neo-Tethyan intra-oceanic subduction resulted in more carbon-rich sediments subducting along the Eurasia margin, as well as continental arc volcanoes, which further triggered global warming up to the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum. The abrupt termination of the Neo-Tethyan subduction due to the India-Eurasia collision could be the primary tectonic cause of the ∼50-40 Ma CO2 drop. The gradual decrease in atmospheric CO2 concentration after 40 Ma may be attributed to enhance continental weathering due to the growth of the Tibetan Plateau. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the dynamic implications of Neo-Tethyan Ocean evolution and may provide new constraints for future carbon cycle models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; College of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; College of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Zhengtang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Cenozoic Geology and Environment, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; College of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Huaiyu Yuan
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Jianfeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhengfu Guo
- Key Laboratory of Cenozoic Geology and Environment, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Chenglong Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Fuyuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
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