End-Permian catastrophe by a bolide impact: Evidence of a gigantic releaseof sulfur from the mantle

Our studies in southern China have revealed a remarkable sulfur and stronti um isotope excursion at the end of the Permian, along with a coincident con centration of impact-metamorphosed grains and kaolinite and a significant d ecrease in manganese, phosphorous, calcium, and microfossils (foraminifera) . These data suggest that an asteroid or a comet hit the ocean at the end o f Permian time and caused a rapid and massive release of sulfur from the ma ntle to the ocean-atmosphere system, leading to significant oxygen consumpt ion, acid rain, and the most severe biotic crisis in the history of life on Earth.