Limits for Combustion in Low O 2 Redefine Paleoatmospheric Predictions for the Mesozoic
Abstract
Several studies have attempted to determine the lower limit of atmospheric oxygen under which combustion can occur; however, none have been conducted within a fully controlled and realistic atmospheric environment. We performed experimental burns (using pine wood, moss, matches, paper, and a candle) at 20 degrees C in O2 concentrations ranging from 9 to 21% and at ambient and high CO2 (2000 parts per million) in a controlled environment room, which was equipped with a thermal imaging system and full atmospheric, temperature, and humidity control. Our data reveal that the lower O2 limit for combustion should be increased from 12 to 15%. These results, coupled with a record of Mesozoic paleowildfires, are incompatible with the prediction of prolonged intervals of low atmospheric O2 levels (10 to 12%) in the Mesozoic.
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The first appearance of fossil charcoal in the Late Silurian and its ongoing occurrence through the Devonian indicates O2 >15-17% (vol) already by ∼420-400 Ma.
“The first appearance of fossil charcoal in the Late Silurian (11) and its ongoing occurrence through the Devonian (12) (Table S1), albeit rare and at low concentrations, indicates O2 > 15 -17% (vol) of the atmosphere (13) (or O2 > ∼ 0.7 PAL assuming a constant N2 reservoir) already by ∼ 420 -400 Ma.”
From Earliest land plants created modern levels of atmospheric oxygen (2016) · cites this paper as [13]
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- Authors
- Belcher, C. M., & McElwain, J. C.
- Affiliations
- University College Dublin (IE)
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2008-08-29
- Volume
- 321
- Issue
- 5893
- Pages
- 1197-1200
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W1966803474
- Cited by
- 190
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 7.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Fire effects on ecosystems
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Keywords
- atmospheric oxygen, flammability limits, hypoxia, elevated CO2, experimental burning, pine forest, bryophytes, infrared thermography
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Atmosphere, Fires, Oxygen, Paper, Temperature, Time, Wood, Bryophyta, Extinction, Biological
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