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Palaeoceanography

Methane release in the Early Jurassic period (Reply)

Abstract

Wignall et al.1 suggest that the abrupt negative δ13Corg shifts that we recognize in our data set2 could be localized features caused by recycling of isotopically light marine carbon. This overlooks two important lines of evidence2: that the early Toarcian negative δ13C excursion is present in several sections around the world3,4,5, and that the excursion is recorded in terrestrial plant material4. These crucial observations together preclude the possibility that the event was restricted to a localized, marine environment.

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References

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Kemp, D., Coe, A., Cohen, A. et al. Methane release in the Early Jurassic period (Reply). Nature 441, E5–E6 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04906

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