What does studying ancient oceanic anoxic events allow researchers to infer?

Studying ancient oceanic anoxic events primarily allows researchers to infer the historic balance of marine oxygen levels. During these events, large portions of the ocean experienced significant oxygen depletion, leading to profound changes in marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. By examining sediment cores from these periods, scientists can gather evidence about past oxygen levels in the oceans, which is crucial for understanding the conditions that led to or accentuated anoxia.

This analysis is vital for reconstructing how marine environments have changed over geological time, influencing the diversity of life and the chemical composition of the ocean. Understanding these past events can also inform current climate models and predict future changes in oceanic conditions, especially in the context of ongoing global warming and human impacts on marine systems.