Fig. 4: Schematic representation of palaeocological and paleoenvironmental changes in the EES during the PETM.

a Corg burial appears to be enhanced by increased runoff leading to stratification enhancing deoxygenation and weathering and/or erosion of terrestrial material supplying lithogenic sediments, nutrient influxes and terrestrial (fossil/contemporaneous) carbon. b Ventilation of bottom waters shuts off the Corg burial factory and initiates Ccarb deposition.