National Academies Press: OpenBook

Effects of Past Global Change on Life (1995)

Chapter: ABSTRACT

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Suggested Citation:"ABSTRACT." National Research Council. 1995. Effects of Past Global Change on Life. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/4762.
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Page 34

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IMPACT OF LATE ORDOVICIAN GLACIATION-DEGLACIATION ON MARINE LIFE 34 2 Impact of Late Ordovician Glaciation-Deglaciation on Marine Life W. B. N. Berry, M. S. Quinby-Hunt, And P. Wilde University of California, Berkeley ABSTRACT Sea-level fell at least 50 m during Late Ordovician continental glaciation which centered on the South Pole. Oxygen isotope analyses indicate that ocean surface waters cooled during glaciation. As sea-level fell and surface waters cooled, mass mortalities occurred among most marine benthic faunas, primarily brachiopods and trilobites. Carbon isotope analyses reveal a significant biomass loss at the time of the mass mortalities. The brachiopod-dominated Hirnantia fauna spread widely during glacial maximum. That fauna essentially became extinct during deglaciation. Cold, oxygen-rich deep ocean waters generated at the South Pole during glaciation drove a strong deep ocean circulation and ventilated the deep oceans. Potentially, waters bearing metal ions and other substances toxic to organisms were advected upward into ocean mixed layer during glacial maximum. Graptolite mass mortality apparently was a consequence. Mass mortalities took place among pre- Hirnantia brachiopod and trilobite faunas at the same time as the graptolite mass mortality. Reradiation among graptolites and benthic marine faunas followed after sea-level rise, and deep ocean circulation slowed as deglaciation proceeded. Initially, reradiation rates were slow as unstable environments persisted during the early phases of deglaciation. New colony organization developed among graptolites, but significant originations did not take place until habitats preferred by graptolites stabilized. Conodont mass mortality occurred at the onset of deglaciation. Originations of new taxa were slow initially, but the pace increased as shelf seas expanded and new environments became stable. Similarly, the pace of marine benthic faunal reradiation was slow at first but increased after shelf sea environments stabilized.

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What can we expect as global change progresses? Will there be thresholds that trigger sudden shifts in environmental conditions—or that cause catastrophic destruction of life?

Effects of Past Global Change on Life explores what earth scientists are learning about the impact of large-scale environmental changes on ancient life—and how these findings may help us resolve today's environmental controversies.

Leading authorities discuss historical climate trends and what can be learned from the mass extinctions and other critical periods about the rise and fall of plant and animal species in response to global change. The volume develops a picture of how environmental change has closed some evolutionary doors while opening others—including profound effects on the early members of the human family.

An expert panel offers specific recommendations on expanding research and improving investigative tools—and targets historical periods and geological and biological patterns with the most promise of shedding light on future developments.

This readable and informative book will be of special interest to professionals in the earth sciences and the environmental community as well as concerned policymakers.

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