EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
von Bloh et al. 2003
von Bloh, W., Bounama, C. and Franck, S. (2003). Cambrian explosion triggered by geosphere-biosphere feedbacks. Geophysical Research Letters 30: doi: 10.1029/2003GL017928. issn: 0094-8276.

A new hypothesis for the cause of the Cambrian explosion is presented. For that the evolution of the planet Earth is described by the co-evolution of the geosphere-biosphere system. Here we specify our previously published Earth system model for the long-term carbon cycle by introducing three different types of biosphere: procaryotes, eucaryotes, and complex multicellular life. They are characterized by different global temperature tolerance windows. The biotic enhancement of silicate weathering by complex multicellular life adds an additional feedback to the system and triggers the Cambrian explosion. The Cambrian explosion is characterized by a sudden increase of biomass and a rapid cooling, which amplified the spread of complex multicellular life. Cooling events in the Neoproterozoic, however, could force a premature appearance of complex multicellular life.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Geochemical cycles, Tectonophysics, Evolution of the Earth, Information Related to Geologic Time, General or miscellaneous, Mathematical Geophysics, Nonlinear dynamics, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Biosphere/atmosphere interactions
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit