Mechanisms and time relationships of rapid climate change during the Lower Aptian OAE 1a in the southeastern North Atlantic: Gas hydrate deterioration?

• Applicant: Dr. Peter Hofmann
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2006 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 28791407

• Final Report Year: 2010

Final Report Abstract

In summary the new geochemical evidence for the OAE 1a interval at ODP Site 641C shows the predicted environmental consequences of large scale CO2 release to the atmosphere, including warm surface temperatures, increased alkalinity of the oceans, an overall acceleration of the global hydrological cycle, intensified weathering conditions on the continents and extensive export of nutrients to the ocean leading ultimately to the deposition of organic matter-rich strata on a global scale.

Publications

• 2008, Geochemical evolution of the Early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a in the tropical Atlantic, ODP Site 641C Galicia Margin. lODP-ICDP Kolloquium, Hannover, Abstract volume, 66-67
  Hofmann, P. and Wagner T.
  
• 2009, Development of sea surface temperature across the lower Aptian Oceanic Event 1a in the Subtropical North Atlantic, Galicia Margin. lODP-ICDP Kolloquium, Potsdam, Abstract volume, 72-74
  Hofmann P., Handley L., Talbot H. M., Wagner T.
  
• 2009, Sea surface temperature development during the Early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a at ODP Site 641C Galicia Margin, tropical Atlantic. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 11, EGU2009-5483-1
  Handley L., Talbot H. M., Hofmann P., Wagner T.