Abstract
The latest Triassic was characterised by protracted biotic extinctions concluding in the End-Triassic Extinction (~ 200 Ma) and a global carbon cycle perturbation. The onset of declining diversity is closely related to reducing conditions that spread globally from upper Sevatian (uppermost Norian) to across the Norian-Rhaetian boundary, likely triggered by unusually high volcanic activity. We correlate significant organic carbon cycle perturbations to an increase of CO(2) in the ocean-atmosphere system, likely outgassed by the Angayucham igneous province, the onset of which is indicated by the initiation of a rapid decline in (87)Sr/(86)Sr and (188)Os/(187)Os seawater values. A possible causal mechanism involves elevated CO(2) levels causing global warming and accelerating chemical weathering, which increased nutrient discharge to the oceans and greatly increased biological productivity. Higher export production and oxidation of organic matter led to a global O(2) decrease in marine water across the Norian/Rhaetian boundary (NRB). Biotic consequences of dysoxia/anoxia include worldwide extinctions in some fossil groups, such as bivalves, ammonoids, conodonts, radiolarians.