US EditionDeep Ocean Oxygen Surge 390M Years Ago Fueled Fish Evolution
Research shows permanent deep-ocean oxygen increase in the Middle Devonian, driven by woody plant spread, enabled jawed fish to diversify and inhabit deeper marine environments.
- New research shows a permanent increase in deep-ocean oxygen, driven by woody plants, opened deeper waters of the outer continental shelves where jawed fish diversified.
- More recent studies suggest two deep-ocean oxygenation events occurred: a transient episode around 540 million years ago and a permanent event starting about 393 million years ago, researchers say.
- Using sedimentary rocks formed under deep seawater, the team led by Duke University and University of Washington researchers measured selenium to infer oxygen levels, with co-lead author Kunmanee "Mac" Bubphamanee noting the second oxygenation event began in the Middle Devonian and persisted.
- Researchers warn modern oceans face expanding 'dead zones' from human activities such as fertilizer runoff and pollution, threatening marine life similarly to ancient oxygen declines.
- The findings suggest oxygen availability as an evolutionary driver helped dictate timing of major events, enabling the mid-Paleozoic marine revolution and diversification of jawed vertebrates and larger-bodied animals.
12 Articles
12 Articles
The ancient oxygen flood that forever changed life in the oceans
Ancient forests may have fueled a deep-sea oxygen boost nearly 390 million years ago, unlocking evolutionary opportunities for jawed fish and larger marine animals. New isotopic evidence shows that this permanent oxygenation marked a turning point in Earth’s history — a reminder of how fragile the ocean’s oxygen balance remains today.
Rising deep-ocean oxygen levels likely opened up new marine habitats and spurred speciation
Some 390 million years ago in the ancient ocean, marine animals began colonizing depths previously uninhabited. New research indicates this underwater migration occurred in response to a permanent increase in deep-ocean oxygen, driven by the above-ground spread of woody plants—precursors to Earth's first forests.
Mid-Debonian Ocean Oxygenation Enables Deeper Habitat Expansion for Marine Life
Approximately 390 million years ago during the Devonian period, marine life began to explore previously unoccupied depths. A recent study, conducted by researchers from Duke University, Washington University, NASA’s Virtual Planetary Research Institute, and Caltech, reveals that this underwater migration was spurred by a lasting increase in deep-sea oxygen levels, linked to the ground diffusion [...] The post Mid-Debonian Ocean Oxygenation Enabl…
How rising ocean oxygen sparked an explosion of ancient marine life
Nearly 400 million years ago, life in the oceans changed forever. New research shows that a rise in deep-ocean oxygen levels opened up previously uninhabitable areas of the sea, creating new habitats where marine animals could thrive. This shift not only gave creatures like early jawed fish more room to live but also helped drive […] The post How rising ocean oxygen sparked an explosion of ancient marine life appeared first on Knowridge Science …
Ocean Oxygenation during Mid-Devonian Enabled Expansion of Animals into Deeper-Water Habitats
Around 390 million years ago (Devonian period), marine animals began colonizing depths previously uninhabited. The post Ocean Oxygenation during Mid-Devonian Enabled Expansion of Animals into Deeper-Water Habitats appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
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