Fig. 4: Sedimentary Hg (ppb) against TOC (wt%) for well sites E−8X and 22/10a−4 and other published records.
From: Paleocene/Eocene carbon feedbacks triggered by volcanic activity
a Line is the linear regression of E−8X and 22/10a−4 datasets combined (R2 = 0.22). Samples immediately before, during and after the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) onset are indicated as red symbols (~2024.6–2026 m for E−8X; ~2608–2615 m for 22/10a−4), and outside of that area with grey symbols. Shaded 95% ellipses show the changing relationship between Hg and TOC over the studied interval, with many samples within the PETM onset (red symbols) exhibiting excess Hg with a steeper gradient to TOC than samples outside of this interval (grey symbols). Well site 22/10a−4 appears to have experienced greater excess Hg than E−8X, possibly as it was closer to the North Atlantic Igneous Province source. The dashed line shows the value of the average Phanerozoic bulk shale34. b All data from E−8X and 22/10a−4 (red symbols) plotted with data from Svalbard BH9/05, Denmark Fur formation, Lomonosov Ridge and Bass River (grey symbols)7.
