Causes of mass extinction on Earth

Researchers have learned a lot about the extermination of the largest events that occurred on Earth that lasted about 250 million years ago. Ranging from volcanic eruptions to the extreme drop in temperature. At that time, drastic climate changes have removed almost all aquatic species and the majority of terrestrial species.
But now they have new suspects who may be involved in the destruction. Namely the entry of mercury into the ecosystem. Previously, no one ever pays attention to whether mercury is a potential factor.

"The period was a period when volcanic activity was at its highest level in the history of the Earth. Now we know that the main causes of mercury spills are volcanic eruptions, "said Steve Grasby, researchers from Natural Resources Canada, quoted by Science Daily, January 7, 2012.
In a report published in the journal Geology, Grasby said, it estimated that mercury is released into the Earth's surface when it is 30 times higher than the volcanic activity that occurred in the present. It makes a volcanic eruption 250 million years ago to be a very devastating event.

As is known, about 250 million years ago, long before dinosaurs ruled the land and the rest are still joined in a single continent, the majority of life at sea and on land destroyed.

Plausible theory is that volcanic eruptions burn until the coal seam in the Earth's crust and smoke release CO2 and other deadly toxins into the air. Direct proof of this theory has been presented also by Grasby, in January last year in the journal Nature Geoscience.
However, the level of mercury deposits at the end of the Permian era were far significantly higher than the mercury emissions caused by human activity.

In some cases, the level of mercury in the ocean end of the Permian era similar to the levels of mercury in the highly contaminated ponds, around the smelting plant where the water system was damaged very heavily, "said Grasby.
In this period, the natural defense system in the oceans and land becomes overloaded with mercury. "It causes a loss of up to 95 percent of life at sea," said Grasby.

Related Posts:

Tweet