The informal Anthropocene epoch

The informal Anthropocene epoch

According to the geologic timescale, we are currently living in the Holocene epoch. However, in Geology of Mankind the authors proposed the term “Anthropocene” to represent the period of time between the latter half of the 18th century and the present day. Although other workers have considered the onset of this informal epoch to have occurred at slightly different times (further reading here), researchers agree that the Anthropocene is a time span marked by human interaction with Earth’s biophysical system. Geological evidence used to supporting this assertion comes from Holocene ice cores and soil profiles. For example, methane concentrations measured in ice cores display an increase at ca. 5000 yr B.P., which contrasts with the expected decline in CH4 at that time, based on the orbital-monsoon cycle theory. Ruddiman and Thomson propose that this anomalous rise in CH4 can be linked to early agricultural practices in Eurasia. Also, an increase in atmospheric CO2 at ca. 8000 yr B.P., as determined from ice cores, was explained in Quaternary Science Reviews as a result of early forest clearance.

The contribution of the anthropization to the geological records is, thereby, apparent.

An earlier work from Dunlap and co-workers exemplified this concept through Pb isotopes on soil profiles from peat bogs in Norway indicating an increase in lead concentrations in Europe over the past 300 years. Lead concentrations prior to ca. 1950 AD are attributed to mining activities, whereas a second Pb compositional signature in soil younger than 1950 AD is consistent with atmospheric lead derived mainly from combustion of leaded gasoline.

Authors further suggested that anthropogenic soils are the “golden spikes” for the Anthropocene because they contain evidence of soil management practices for enhancing fertility. Examples include terracing, and formation of mixed charcoal, manure, plant debris, and animal bones. Basically, this means that some anthropized soils can aid following the Anthropocene era trhough the ages.

Atmospheric compositions and soil management practices are only two indicators of anthropogenic activity, but relatively few examples of solid, human-made materials are preserved in the sedimentary record. Even rarer are items that are correlatable on a global scale. Given the ubiquity of non-degradable plastic debris on our planet, the possibility of their global preservation is strong.

So plastiglomerates (see our post: The “PLASTICENE” epoch?) presents the first rock type composed partially of plastic material that has strong potential to act as a global marker horizon in the Anthropocene.

But when all this comes round to us, I am sure that a good “anthropic” move is the downgrading of some useless technologies and processes to lessen the impacts. All we need rethinking about our endless needs that have to meet the more stringent ones of our Earth, to secure the survival of both conquerors and THE conquered.

Funambolo

I am a geochemist. I am editor for The Anthropic Times.

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