Science Advances · 30 October 2026 · From issue 59
Depressed chemical weathering inhibited climate stabilization after the end-Permian biocrisis
Loss of deep-rooted plants weakened a natural process that pulls carbon dioxide from the air.
Guang-Yi Wei, Feifei Zhang et al.
About 252 million years ago, a huge extinction killed most life on Earth. It wiped out deep-rooted plants that once helped cool the planet. Scientists studied ancient rock chemistry and found that land rocks stopped soaking up carbon dioxide as well after this die-off. This kept the planet hot for a long time and slowed recovery of ocean and land life.
Based on ancient rock chemistry and a climate model, not a live experiment.
Ancient rock data and model only, 252 million years ago.
Integrity screen: passed (3 checks) Checked 30 October 2026. Retraction record: none. DOI resolves at doi.org. Metadata record found (Science Advances). Read the source
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