Discover How Scientists Reconstructed Prehistoric Air from Dinosaur Teeth: A Groundbreaking First!

A collection of dinosaur teeth from the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods is offering scientists a chance to explore Earth’s prehistoric climate. A team, led by geochemist Dingsu Feng from the Georg August University of Göttingen, is using oxygen isotopes found in these fossils to understand the atmosphere that dinosaurs once breathed.

These teeth are more than just remnants; they provide insight into significant events in Earth’s history, like volcanic eruptions, which can be inferred from changes in isotope levels. Paleontologist Thomas Tütken emphasizes that these findings help link ancient land-dwelling animals with their atmosphere.

After millions of years, the isotopic traces of the Mesozoic atmosphere remain preserved in the dental enamel of these teeth. Tütken explains that even after so much time, these isotopes can reveal details about the composition of the air, including carbon dioxide levels.

Isotopes are variants of the same element with different masses. They’re like clues to ecological changes throughout an organism’s life. Specifically, the team focused on an isotope called oxygen-17. The presence of this isotope can indicate the amount of carbon dioxide inhaled by ancient creatures.

Recent studies suggest that the oxygen isotope ratios in the teeth of modern animals accurately reflect current atmospheric CO₂ levels. Following this logic, researchers aimed to see if they could apply this method to much older fossils. They discovered significant concentrations of CO₂ during the Mesozoic era, supporting prior research on Earth’s CO₂ history.

For instance, during the late Jurassic period, CO₂ levels were about 1,200 parts per million, while in the late Cretaceous, they dropped to around 750 parts per million. In contrast, today, Earth has approximately 430 parts per million CO₂, a number that continues to rise.

High volcanic activity likely caused the elevated CO₂ during the Mesozoic. The team found significant discrepancies in oxygen isotopes in teeth from a Tyrannosaurus rex and a sauropod named Kaatedocus. These anomalies hint at periods of heightened volcanic emissions which may have influenced atmospheric conditions.

The researchers plan to apply their techniques to study teeth from the Permian-Triassic extinction, known as the Great Dying, which occurred 252 million years ago. This event is linked to massive volcanic activity that dramatically altered the planet’s atmosphere. By examining CO₂ levels from this time, they hope to shed light on how such drastic changes affected life on Earth.

This research not only enhances our understanding of the ancient atmosphere but also raises questions about how current climate issues mirror these historical events. It serves as a reminder of Earth’s dynamic environmental history and the importance of fossils in uncovering clues about our planet’s past.

For further insights, the complete research findings are available in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.



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