Publication: Climate stabilization by alkalinity production from pyrite burial in the ocean 

Summary: Pyrite (FeS₂), an iron-sulfur mineral also known as fool’s gold, is formed in anoxic marine environments by anaerobic bacteria and helps balance ocean chemistry and regulate carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere. Research using computer models and historical data found that during past periods of global warming, more pyrite was buried due to lower ocean oxygen levels. This process acted as a natural brake on climate change, illustrating how pyrite burial helps stabilize Earth’s climate by reducing the impact of rising atmospheric CO₂ levels.