Plate tectonics drives ocean oxygenation

Dark, organic-rich sediments indicating conditions of low ocean oxygenation, sandwiched between limestone beds. Christophe Thomazo - Until now, it has been assumed that the oxygenation of the oceans over geological timescales has mainly been driven by atmospheric oxygen levels. However, a new study published in Nature June 27 2022   suggests otherwise. Work by scientists at the Biogeosciences Laboratory (CNRS/UBFC), together with their colleagues at the University of California's Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, shows that the movement of tectonic plates has probably contributed to ocean oxygenation. Simulated seafloor oxygen concentration in a series of experiments in which only the configuration of the continents is modified from one period to another. Alexandre Pohl To demonstrate this, the scientists used a three-dimensional climate model to recreate conditions on Earth from 540 million years ago to the present day, in particular taking into account ocean circulation currents. In their model, the scientists modified the position of the continents while keeping the atmospheric oxygen concentration constant.