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What could have killed the dinosaurs?

Rapid toxic-algae growth provoked by falling meteorites and volcanic eruptions, rather than the above-said calamities, could have played a key role in mass living-organism extinctions that have happened several times in the Earth's history. Geologist James W. Castle and ecotoxicologist John H. Rodgers from Clemson University have published findings that toxin-producing algae were a deadly factor in mass extinctions millions of years ago. As a rule, scientists used to link mass extinctions, including the disappearancxe of dinosaurs 65 million years ago, with large celesetial bodies falling on the planet's surface. Abnormally high iridium content was found inside layers dating back to that period. Meteorites contain more iridium than terrestrial rocks. However, Castle and Rogers believe that microscopic toxic algae existing inside virtually all water bodies are another suspect responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs. Although their amount is usually limited and is unable to harm other life forms, rising water temperatures or dust falling in the water can facilitate their fast reproduction. This process kills fish, molluscs, clams and even humans.

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