Dozens of Chinese and foreign scientists have gathered in northeast China to look for clues as to why life on Earth suffered a catastrophic depopulation 65 million years ago.
On Monday, the scientists headed for Jiayin County in Heilongjiang Province, where they will choose a stratum section to collect fossil samples, hoping to find evidence of sudden loss of life and following life revival at that time.
"We are looking for a history book which records in detail the evolution before and after the extinction of dinosaurs," said Sun Ge, an archeologist with Jilin University who heads the research program.
He said the record could tell the cause of extinction of dinosaurs and other ancient animals and plants, the revival of some organisms and the environment at the time.
Scientists also expect to find in a stratum section over 200 meters (656 feet) thick the dividing line between Cretaceous and Tertiary periods, or K/T Boundary, which is thought to be several centimeters thick. The K/T Boundary is regarded as the time "point" when the depopulation occurred.
The Cretaceous period marked the end of the Mesozoic era during which dinosaurs ruled the planet, while the Tertiary period was the beginning of the Cenozoic era when humans evolved.
Scientists have claimed the discovery of K/T boundaries in north America and other regions, but the discoveries were not generally proved because K/T boundaries were mostly decided on the evidence of large increases of the radioactive element, iridium --a possible result of a meteor strike. Based on the evidence, Sun Ge said that "Our expectation to find the records will possibly come true."
Scientists have discovered in Jiayin County fossils of dinosaurs living just prior to the sudden depopulation of the creatures and fossils of flora that appeared immediately after the depopulation.
They say the fossils discovered in Jiayin have correlation with fossilized organisms found in other regions where K/T boundaries were discovered. The Jiayin fossils also feature special characteristics in formation and type.
The stratum environment in Jiayin is also superior to K/T boundaries in north America and Russia, according to the scientists.
"We'll use the most advanced methods and means to get a more acceptable result, which help us better understand the cause of bio-depopulation on Earth," Sun said.
The research program, initiated by Jilin University, is supported by the State Natural Science Fund Committee of China. The final results of the research are expected to be published in 2005.
"The results could be used as reference for human beings to prevent a possible tragic future," said M. Akhmetiev, a Russian scientist who participated in the program.
He said nobody could be sure that the fate of dinosaurs would not befall human beings, if they did not stop the current ceaseless destruction of the environment.
(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2002)
