The oceans have brewed up a toxic chemical mix that puts the brakes on evolutionary innovation. It is a mix of too little oxygen and too much sulfur in coastal waters. Marine creatures are exquisitely sensitive to oxygen levels. The geochemist, Benjamin Gill, was the first to look at sulfur, which at high levels can kill marine creatures. He said, "What we're looking at is the aftermath of the crime scene." It affects it even more if there is less oxygen than sulfur.
The discovery was recent but ancient marine life is also suffering from it.
It is an example of discovery science because they took samples from different places and summed it up into one general idea. It has more importance to the marine life than the humans but it helps humans to protect the oceans.
Alexandra Witze, Ancient sea life faced toxic brew: Lots of sulfur, little oxygen stalled burst of biodiversity, Science News, January 29, 2010, pg. 13.
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