• 责任者：Chen Zuoling (Key Laboratory of Cenozoic Geology and Environment ; Institute of Geology and Geophysics ; Chinese Academy of Sciences ; Beijing 100029 ; China) ; Ding Zhongli
• 刊名：Quaternary Sciences
• 出版年：2011
• 卷期：31(6)
• 关键词：古新世 ; Paleocene ; 始新世 ; Eocene ; 碳循环 ; carbon cycle ; 地质事件 ; geological event
• 页码：p.937-950
• 图表：3 illus., 10 refs.
• 分类号：1200
• 出版序号：20122560
• issnNo：ISSN1001-7410
• isbnNo：CN11-2708/P

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is an extreme carbon perturbation and global warming event,  which was superimposed on the long-term Early Cenozoic warming trend. The PETM is characterized by an abrupt and large negative excursion (-2 ‰～-6 ‰) of carbon isotope compositions of marine and terrestrial sedimentary materials. Based on carbon isotope records and computer simulations,  the amount of carbon totally released to the exogenic carbon cycle system is estimated to be comparable with the anticipative carbon amount that would be released to the atmosphere by burns of fossil fuels.  In this paper,  the authors overviewed the recent progresses of studies on the event,  particularly focusing on the triggering mechanisms,  estimation of released total carbon,  and the climatic and ecological impacts.