Lithium isotope evidence for enhanced weathering and erosion during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM; similar to 55.9 Ma) was a geologically rapid warming period associated with carbon release, which caused a marked increase in the hydrological cycle. Here, we use lithium (Li) isotopes to assess the global change in weathering regime, a critical carbon drawdown mechanism, across the PETM. We find a negative Li isotope excursion of similar to 3 parts per thousand in both global seawater (marine carbonates) and in local weathering inputs (detrital shales). This is consistent with a very large delivery of clays to the oceans or a shift in the weathering regime toward higher physical erosion rates and sediment fluxes. Our seawater records are best explained by increases in global erosion rates of similar to 2x to 3x over 100 ka, combined with model-derived weathering increases of 50 to 60% compared to prewarming values. Such increases in weathering and erosion would have supported enhanced carbon burial, as both carbonate and organic carbon, thereby stabilizing climate.

Automated summary

During the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, there was a significant change in the global weathering system, as indicated by lithium isotopes in seawater and local rock weathering inputs, possibly due to a large delivery of clays to the oceans or a shift in the weathering regime. The increase in global erosion rates and modeled weathering growth supported enhanced carbon burial, stabilizing the climate during this period.