Evolutionary stasis during the Mesoproterozoic Columbia-Rodinia supercontinent transition

The transition between the supercontinents Columbia and Rodina coincided with a delay in eukaryote expansion during the Mesoproterozoic, however, the cause for this association is uncertain. Here, we use statistical geochemical analyses of igneous and fine-grained siliciclastic rocks to demonstrate that extensive crustal dif-ferentiation occurred during this transition interval. The results show a relative increase in abundance of phosphorus-poor felsic volcanic and plutonic rocks and a prevailing low weathering intensity between -1.8 and 1.2 Ga (billion years ago). The decelerated weathering of phosphorus-poor felsic volcanic and plutonic rocks could have maintained the low flux of bio-essential nutrients to the oceans that sustained low primary productivity and atmospheric O2 levels, which inhibited biologic radiation during the Columbia-Rodinia supercontinent transition period.

Automated summary

The delay in eukaryote expansion during the transition between the supercontinents Columbia and Rodina is possibly due to extensive crustal differentiation. This study shows an increase in phosphorus-poor felsic volcanic and plutonic rocks and a low weathering intensity during this transition. The decelerated weathering of these rocks may have limited the flux of bio-essential nutrients to the oceans, leading to low primary productivity and atmospheric oxygen levels, which inhibited biologic radiation during the Columbia-Rodinia supercontinent transition period.