Nature Communications (Jul 2018)

Middle Eocene greenhouse warming facilitated by diminished weathering feedback

  • Robin van der Ploeg,
  • David Selby,
  • Margot J. Cramwinckel,
  • Yang Li,
  • Steven M. Bohaty,
  • Jack J. Middelburg,
  • Appy Sluijs

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05104-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Silicate rock weathering represents a negative feedback mechanism that regulates atmospheric CO2 levels on geological timescales. Here, the authors show that a diminished silicate weathering feedback may have set the stage for greenhouse warming and ocean acidification during the Middle Eocene, ~40 million years ago.