Reduced contribution of sulfur to the mass extinction associated with the Chicxulub impact event

Katerina Rodiouchkina (), Steven Goderis, Cem Berk Senel, Pim Kaskes, Özgür Karatekin, Michael Ernst Böttcher, Ilia Rodushkin, Johan Vellekoop, Philippe Claeys and Frank Vanhaecke
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Katerina Rodiouchkina: Ghent University
Steven Goderis: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Cem Berk Senel: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Pim Kaskes: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Özgür Karatekin: Royal Observatory of Belgium
Michael Ernst Böttcher: Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research (IOW)
Ilia Rodushkin: Luleå University of Technology
Johan Vellekoop: KU Leuven
Philippe Claeys: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Frank Vanhaecke: Ghent University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract The Chicxulub asteroid impact event at the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary ~66 Myr ago is widely considered responsible for the mass extinction event leading to the demise of the non-avian dinosaurs. Short-term cooling due to massive release of climate-active agents is hypothesized to have been crucial, with S-bearing gases originating from the target rock vaporization considered an important driving force. Yet, the magnitude of the S release remains poorly constrained. Here we empirically estimate the amount of impact-released S relying on the concentration of S and its isotopic composition within the impact structure and a set of terrestrial K-Pg boundary ejecta sites. The average value of 67 ± 39 Gt obtained is ~5-fold lower than previous numerical estimates. The lower mass of S-released may indicate a less prominent role for S emission leading to a milder impact winter with key implications for species survival during the first years following the impact.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55145-6

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