Dr. Y. Sun

Dr. Yadong Sun

Research Associate

Chair of Geology
GeoZentrum Nordbayern
Schlossgarten 5
91054 Erlangen

Tel: +49 (0)9131 85 23422
Fax: +49 (0)9131 85 29295

Research Interests

My primary interest is to study palaeoenvironmental changes during the Permo-Triassic crisis and its aftermath in order to get a better comprehension of the driving mechanisms and ecological responses to mass extinctions. The research involves multi-proxy analyses including reconstructing palaeo-seawater temperatures (Joachimski et al., 2012 Geology; Sun et al., 2012 Science) and oceanic redox conditions and sedimentological responses (Sun et al., 2015 Palaeo3). I am also interested in the characterization of “minor” environmental perturbations, such as the end-Smithian thermal maximum, the Smithian-Spathian extinction (Early Triassic), and the Carnian Pluvial Event (Late Triassic) (Sun et al., 2015 Palaeo3; Sun et al. 2016 EPSL).

Other research interests focus on oxygen isotope (δ¹⁸O) thermometry in biogenic apatite. This thermometer is particularly useful when calcifiers are rare (e.g., during the end-Permian mass extinction). I also collaborate with palaeovertabrate (dinosaur, crocodile) experts attaining valuable information concerning body temperatures and thermal regulation of ancient reptiles.

Oxygen isotope data acquisition also leads to a more analytical part of my research, including characterization multiple apatite δ¹⁸O reference materials for the gas-source isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GS-IRMS) ande secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS).

Finally, one vital aspect for all Phanerozoic studies is to place palaeontological and geochemical data into the right stratigraphy context. So, as a “side job”, I study conodont taxonomy and biostratigraphy from the earliest Permian to the latest Triassic.

2024

Sun Y., Farnsworth A., Joachimski M., WIGNALL PB., Krystyn L., Bond DPG., Ravidà DC., Valdes PJ.:
Mega El Nino primed the end-Permian world for mass extinction
In: Chinese Science Bulletin 69 (2024), p. 5079-5081
ISSN: 1001-6538
DOI: 10.1360/TB-2024-1034

2023

Zhang Z., Sun Y.:
The Ladinian-Carnian conodont fauna at Yize, Yunnan, southwestern China, with implications for conodont palaeoecology and palaeogeography
In: Geological Magazine (2023)
ISSN: 0016-7568
DOI: 10.1017/S0016756822001236

2022

Boscaini A., Callegaro S., Sun Y., Marzoli A.:
Late Permian to Late Triassic Large Igneous Provinces: Timing, Eruptive Style and Paleoenvironmental Perturbations
In: Frontiers in Earth Science 10 (2022), Article No.: 887632
ISSN: 2296-6463
DOI: 10.3389/feart.2022.887632
Dal Corso J., Song H., Callegaro S., Chu D., Sun Y., Hilton J., Grasby SE., Joachimski M., Wignall P.:
Environmental crises at the Permian–Triassic mass extinction
In: Nature Reviews Earth and Environment (2022)
DOI: 10.1038/s43017-021-00259-4
Joachimski M., Müller J., Gallagher T., Mathes G., Chu D., Mouraviev F., Silantiev V., Sun Y., Tong J.:
Five million years of high atmospheric CO2 in the aftermath of the Permian-Triassic mass extinction
In: Geology (2022)
ISSN: 0091-7613
DOI: 10.1130/G49714.1
Müller J., Sun Y., Yang F., Fantasia A., Joachimski M.:
Phosphorus Cycle and Primary Productivity Changes in the Tethys Ocean During the Permian-Triassic Transition: Starving Marine Ecosystems
In: Frontiers in Earth Science 10 (2022)
ISSN: 2296-6463
DOI: 10.3389/feart.2022.832308
Sun Y., Richoz S., Kürschner WM.:
Editorial preface to special issue: Triassic at the dawn of modern world in honour of Prof. Leopold Krystyn
In: Global and Planetary Change 208 (2022), Article No.: 103633
ISSN: 0921-8181
DOI: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2021.103633
Wudarska A., Wiedenbeck M., Słaby E., Lempart-Drozd M., Harris C., Joachimski M., Lécuyer C., MacLeod KG., Pack A., Vennemann T., Couffignal F., Feng D., Glodny J., Kusebauch C., Mayanna S., Rocholl A., Speir L., Sun Y., Wilke FD.:
Inter‐laboratory Characterisation of Apatite Reference Materials for Oxygen Isotope Analysis and Associated Methodological Considerations
In: Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research (2022)
ISSN: 1639-4488
DOI: 10.1111/GGR.12416
Zhang Z., Joachimski M., Grasby SE., Sun Y.:
Intensive ocean anoxia and large δ13Ccarb perturbations during the Carnian Humid Episode (Late Triassic) in Southwest China
In: Global and Planetary Change 217 (2022), p. 103942
ISSN: 0921-8181
DOI: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2022.103942

2021

Sun Y., Richoz S., Krystyn L., Grasby SE., Chen Y., Banerjee D., Joachimski M.:
Integrated bio-chemostratigraphy of Lower and Middle Triassic marine successions at Spiti in the Indian Himalaya: Implications for the Early Triassic nutrient crisis
In: Global and Planetary Change 196 (2021), p. 103363
ISSN: 0921-8181
DOI: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2020.103363
Yang H., Chen ZQ., Mei X., Sun Y.:
Early Triassic microconchids from the Perth Basin, Western Australia: Palaeoecology and flourishing in the aftermath of the end-Permian mass extinction
In: Geological Journal (2021)
ISSN: 0072-1050
DOI: 10.1002/gj.4115

2020

Dal Corso J., Bernardi M., Sun Y., Song H., Seyfullah LJ., Preto N., Gianolla P., Ruffell A., Kustatscher E., Roghi G., Merico A., Hohn S., Schmidt AR., Marzoli A., Newton RJ., Wignall PB., Benton MJ.:
Extinction and dawn of the modern world in the Carnian (Late Triassic)
In: Science Advances 6 (2020)
ISSN: 2375-2548
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba0099
Grasby SE., Knies J., Beauchamp B., Bond DPG., Wignall P., Sun Y.:
Global warming leads to Early Triassic nutrient stress across northern Pangea
In: Geological Society of America Bulletin 132 (2020), p. 943-954
ISSN: 0016-7606
DOI: 10.1130/B32036.1
Sun Y., Orchard MJ., Kocsis T., Joachimski M.:
Carnian–Norian (Late Triassic) climate change: Evidence from conodont oxygen isotope thermometry with implications for reef development and Wrangellian tectonics
In: Earth and Planetary Science Letters 534 (2020), Article No.: 116082
ISSN: 0012-821X
DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116082

2019

Sun Y., Richoz S., Krystyn L., Zhang ZT., Joachimski M.:
Perturbations in the carbon cycle during the carnian humid episode: Carbonate carbon isotope records from southwestern China and Northern Oman
In: Journal of the Geological Society 176 (2019), p. 167-177
ISSN: 0016-7649
DOI: 10.1144/jgs2017-170
Sun Y., Zulla MJ., Joachimski M., Bond DP., Wignall PB., Zhang ZT., Zhang MH.:
Ammonium ocean following the end-Permian mass extinction
In: Earth and Planetary Science Letters 518 (2019), p. 211-222
ISSN: 0012-821X
DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2019.04.036

2018

Faggetter LE., Wignall PB., Pruss SB., Sun Y., RAINE RJ., Newton RJ., Widdowson M., SMITH PM., Sun Y., Joachimski M.:
Sequence stratigraphy, chemostratigraphy and facies analysis of Cambrian Series 2 – Series 3 boundary strata in northwestern Scotland
In: Geological Magazine 155 (2018), p. 865-877
ISSN: 1469-5081
DOI: 10.1017/S0016756816000947
Weinzierl C., Regelous M., Haase K., Bach W., Böhm F., Garbe-Schönberg D., Sun Y., Joachimski M., Krumm S.:
Cretaceous seawater and hydrothermal fluid compositions recorded in abiogenic carbonates from the Troodos Ophiolite, Cyprus
In: Chemical Geology (2018)
ISSN: 0009-2541
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2018.07.014
Zhang ZT., Sun Y., Wignall PB., Fu JL., Li HX., Wang MY., Lai XL.:
Conodont size reduction and diversity losses during the carnian humid episode in SW China
In: Journal of the Geological Society 175 (2018), p. 1027-1031
ISSN: 0016-7649
DOI: 10.1144/jgs2018-002

2017

Chen ZQ., Algeo TJ., Sun Y., Schoepfer SD.:
The Paleozoic-Mesozoic transition in South China: Oceanic environments and life from Late Permian to Late Triassic
In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 486 (2017), p. 1-5
ISSN: 0031-0182
DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.09.012
Faggetter LE., Wignall PB., Pruss SB., Newton RJ., Sun Y., Crowley SF.:
Trilobite extinctions, facies changes and the ROECE carbon isotope excursion at the Cambrian Series 2–3 boundary, Great Basin, western USA
In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 478 (2017), p. 53-66
ISSN: 0031-0182
DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.04.009
Sun Y., Liu XT., Yan JX., Li B., Chen B., Bond DPG., Wignall PB., Wang X., Lai XL., Joachimski M.:
Permian (Artinskian to Wuchapingian) conodont biostratigraphy in the Tieqiao section, Laibin area, South China
In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 465 (2017), p. 42-63
ISSN: 0031-0182
DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.10.013
Wang L., Wignall PB., Sun Y., Yan C., Zhang Z., Lai X.:
New Permian-Triassic conodont data from Selong (Tibet) and the youngest occurrence of Vjalovognathus
In: Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 146 (2017), p. 152-167
ISSN: 1367-9120
DOI: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2017.05.014
Zhang ZT., Sun YD., Lai XL., Joachimski M., Wignall PB., Sun Y.:
Early Carnian conodont fauna at Yongyue, Zhenfeng area and its implication for Ladinian-Carnian subdivision in Guizhou, South China
In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology (2017)
ISSN: 0031-0182
DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.02.011

2016

Jerram DA., Widdowson M., Wignall PB., Sun Y., Lai X., Bond DPG., Torsvik TH.:
Submarine palaeoenvironments during Emeishan flood basalt volcanism, SW China: Implications for plume-lithosphere interaction during the Capitanian, Middle Permian ('end Guadalupian') extinction event
In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 441 (2016), p. 65-73
ISSN: 0031-0182
DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.06.009
Sun Y., Wiedenbeck M., Joachimski M., Beier C., Kemner F., Weinzierl C.:
Chemical and oxygen isotope composition of gem-quality apatites: Implications for oxygen isotope reference materials for secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)
In: Chemical Geology 440 (2016), p. 164-178
ISSN: 0009-2541
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.07.013
Sun Y., Wignall PB., Joachimski M., Bond DPG., Grasby SE., Lai XL., Wang LN., Zhang ZT., Sun S., Sun Y.:
Climate warming, euxinia and carbon isotope perturbations during the Carnian (Triassic) Crisis in South China
In: Earth and Planetary Science Letters 444 (2016), p. 88-100
ISSN: 0012-821X
DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2016.03.037
Wang L., Wignall PB., Wang Y., Jiang H., Sun Y., Li G., Yuan J., Lai X.:
Depositional conditions and revised age of the Permo-Triassic microbialites at Gaohua section, Cili County (Hunan Province, South China)
In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 443 (2016), p. 156-166
ISSN: 0031-0182
DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.11.032
Wignall PB., Bond D., Grasby S., Beauchamp B., Joachimski M., Blomeier D., Sun Y., Sun Y.:
Ultra-shallow-marine anoxia in an Early Triassic shallow-marine clastic ramp (Spitsbergen) and the suppression of benthic radiation
In: Geological Magazine 153 (2016), p. 316-331
ISSN: 1469-5081
DOI: 10.1017/S0016756815000588

2015

Bond DPG., Wignall PB., Joachimski M., Savov I., Grasby SE., Beauchamp B., Blomeier DPG., Sun Y., Sun Y.:
An abrupt extinction in the Middle Permian (Capitanian) of the Boreal Realm (Spitsbergen) and its link to anoxia and acidification
In: Geological Society of America Bulletin 127 (2015), p. 1411-1421
ISSN: 0016-7606
DOI: 10.1130/B31216.1
Wignall P., Joachimski M., Bond D., Grabs S., Sun S., Yan B., Wang L., Chen Y., Lai X., Sun Y., Sun Y.:
High amplitude redox changes in the late Early Triassic of South China and the Smithian/Spathian extinction.
In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 427 (2015), p. 62-78
ISSN: 0031-0182
DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.03.038

2013

Sun Y., Joachimski M., Wignall PB., Yan C., Chen Y., Jiang H., Wang L., Lai X., Sun Y.:
Response to comment on "Lethally hot temperatures during the Early Triassic.
In: Science 339 (2013), p. 1033
ISSN: 0036-8075
DOI: 10.1126/science.1233090

2012

Joachimski M., Lai X., Shen S., Jiang H., Luo G., Chen B., Chen J., Sun Y., Sun Y.:
Climatic warming in the latest Permian and the Permian-Triassic mass extinction.
In: Geology 40 (2012), p. 195-198
ISSN: 0091-7613
DOI: 10.1130/G32707.1
Sun Y., Joachimski M., Wignall PB., Yan C., Chen Y., Jiang H., Wang L., Lai X., Sun Y.:
Lethally hot temperatures during the Early Triassic
In: Science 338 (2012), p. 366-370.
ISSN: 0036-8075
DOI: 10.1126/science.1224126

2011

Chen B., Joachimski M., Sun Y., Shen S., Lai X., Sun Y.:
Carbon and conodont apatite oxygen isotope records of Guadalupian-Lopingian boundary sections: Climatic or sea-level signal?
In: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 311 (2011), p. 145-153
ISSN: 0031-0182
DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2011.08.016