Minimal Perturbation of the Global Mercury Cycle by the Paraná–Etendeka Large Igneous Province (PE–LIP) During the Onset of the Valanginian Weissert Event

Abstract The Valanginian positive carbon isotope excursion (Weissert Event, ca. 135 million years ago) documents a major global carbon cycle and climate perturbation. Radioisotopic dating suggests that this event was broadly contemporaneous with an interval of profoundly enhanced volcanic activity during the emplacement of the Paraná–Etendeka Large Igneous Province (PE–LIP). Recent studies have utilized sedimentary mercury (Hg)—a proxy for volcanic activity—to support a proposed causal link between volcanism and environmental change, focusing primarily on the onset of the Weissert Event. Here, we generate new Hg data from Berriasian–Hauterivian strata at four different localities, allowing us to contextualize the previous studies within a longer time perspective, and use the latest statistical and analytical methodologies to assess whether a Hg cycle perturbation can be directly linked to the PE–LIP and the Weissert Event. We find no consistent patterns in organic‐matter‐associated residual Hg (Hg R‐OMS ) between different sites, and only a few statistically rigorous residual Hg anomalies, particularly during the PE–LIP main volcanic phase. The lack of a distinct Hg cycle perturbation might relate to a combination of the overall low Hg budget, the prolonged eruption duration of the PE–LIP, and intrusion of PE–LIP into Hg‐lean country rocks. Consequently, a link between the PE–LIP eruption and the Weissert Event is not conclusively supported by Hg evidence, which contrasts with other parts of the geological record where Hg enhancements corroborate links between LIPs and carbon cycle perturbations.