A recent study highlights how the Cambrian ‘SPICE’ event’s phosphorus-induced oxygen depletion in oceans may parallel issues in modern marine systems. It underscores the importance of managing nutrients to protect marine health, particularly in coastal ecosystems. Credit: SciTechDaily.com
The study emphasizes the relevance of these ancient mechanisms to today’s marine systems, urging the need for understanding nutrient dynamics to manage and protect modern marine ecosystems, particularly in coastal zones.500 million years ago the so-called Cambrian ‘SPICE’ event made oxygen levels in the oceans drop dramatically.
“Under anoxic conditions, phosphorus is released more efficiently from sediments, which further depleted oxygen levels and expanded anoxia at the global scale,” says Associate Professor Tais W. Dahl at the Globe Institute, senior author of the study. He adds: