GLOBAL MERCURY SPIKE INDICATES ONE VOLATILE PULSE OF THE SIBERIAN TRAPS CORRESPONDING TO THE END-PERMIAN MASS EXTINCTION

The end-Permian mass extinction (EPME) at ~252Ma was the most severe extinction in the Phanerozoic, and the marine ecosystems did not recovered substantially until the early Middle Triassic. Growing research has inferred that the Siberian Traps large igneous province (SLIP) was the driver of mass extinction and following protracted recovery. To further investigate the causal relationship we examined mercury chemostratigraphy of two sections with well developed Late Permian to Spathian substage successions, namely Guryul Ravine section, Kashmir in north India and Chaohu Section in South China. Carbon isotope data define the EPME horizon in Chaohu section and Smithian-Spathian boundary (SSB) of Guryul Ravine section. Results show that Hg/TOC values dramatically elevate approaching the EPME horizon and maintain higher values until lower I. isarcica zone. However in the ascending beds, Hg/TOC generally keeps relative lower values with slight fluctuation through two sections. Global abnormal mercury deposition though EPME horizon to lower I. isarcica zone was interpreted to be related with strong eruption of SLIP that is synchronous with EPME. While there is no record of obvious positive Hg/TOC anomaly associated with strong volcanism in ascending order.