Transient Permian-Triassic euxinia in the southern Panthalassa deep ocean

Both the duration and severity of deep-water anoxic conditions across Permian-Triassic mass extinction (PTME) are controversial. Panthalassa Ocean circulation models yield varying results, ranging from a well-ventilated deep ocean to rapidly developing northern-latitude, but not southern-latitude, anoxia in response Siberian Traps–driven global warming. To address this uncertainty, we examined southern-paleolatitude pelagic record. Trace metal pyrite framboid data suggest bottom-water euxinic developed southern at PTME, coincident with enhanced volcanic activity indicated by Hg geochemistry. While event PTME placed extraordinary stress on marine life, surface waters appear have recovered more quickly as radiolarian populations returned several million years before they did northern Panthalassa.