Biogeochemical Cycles - Weathering, C Burial, Anoxia, Ocean Chemistry, and More

Explore the intricate world of biogeochemical cycles in this comprehensive 25-minute video lecture. Delve into the complex relationships between plate tectonics, mountain building, and weathering, and their effects on climate. Examine the factors contributing to oceanic anoxic events (OAEs), including their onset, termination, temperature fluctuations, and carbon isotope excursions. Discover how magnesium to calcium ion ratios in the ocean control calcite and aragonite precipitation, influencing the evolution of skeletons. Learn about the impact of seafloor spreading rates at mid-ocean ridges on marine Mg/Ca ratios and sea level rise. Uncover the fascinating story of how coccolithophores created a new rock type - chalk. Investigate the role of diatoms, radiolarians, and sponge spicules in removing silica from seawater, transforming chert into a biogenic mineral. Gain insights into Earth's complex systems and their interconnectedness through this informative geological exploration.