Questions 3-4 refer to the following passage

The primary purpose of the passage is to

a. Present several hypotheses concerning the cause of the Permian mass extinctions

b. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the asteroid hypothesis of the Permian mass extinctions

c. Propose that theories regarding the cause of the Permian mass extinctions be tested

d. Argue that Permian mass extinctions could not have been caused by a volcanic explosion

e. Describe one reason that a rise in hydrogen sulfide would cause massive marine extinctions

Transcribed Image Text:

(5) Theorists are divided about the cause of the Permian mass extinctions. Some hypothesize that the impact of a massive asteroid caused a Line sudden disappearance of species. However, a look at the carbon-isotope record suggests that existing plant communities were struck down and re-formed several times. To produce such a pattern would require a succession of asteroid. strikes thousands of years apart. Other theo- (10) rists have proposed that volcanic explosions raised the CO₂ levels, leading to intense global warming. One problem with this theory is that it cannot explain the massive marine extinctions at the end of the Permian period. A new theory (15) posits that rising concentrations of toxic hydro- gen sulfide in the world's oceans plus gradual oxygen depletions in the surface waters caused the extinctions. Fortunately, this theory is test- able. If true, oceanic sediments from the (20) Permian period would yield chemical evidence of a rise in hydrogen sulfide-consuming bacteria.