LARGE-SCALE DESTABILIZATION EVENTS IN HYDROLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF OCEANS, BIOTIC CRISES, AND CORRESPONDING GEOLOGICAL RECORDS

Abstract

Changes in the spatial organization of water masses in sea basins may represent one of the causes responsible for crises in the biosphere. Based on the analysis of experimental data and observations in modern sea basins, the ecological processes, which can be related to these events, are considered. Destabilization of sea-water stratification can bring about high-productive ecosystems of the simplified structure. Changes in the natural equilibrium between the organic matter producers and consumers result in a significant excess of biological production, which, in turn, can lead to changes in sedimentation.