Anthropocene

Associated Phenomena [2]

Phenomena related to the Anthropocene include:

• Increased erosion and sediment transport due to urbanization and agriculture.

• Anthropogenic disturbances in the cycles of chemical elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and the introduction of new chemical compounds.

• Global climate changes, such as global warming, sea level rise, and ocean acidification.

• Alterations of the biosphere, including habitat loss, species extinctions, and the proliferation of invasive species.

• The production and global spread of new artificial "minerals" and "rocks," such as concrete and plastic, and other materials known as "technofossils."

These changes are producing a distinctive body of geological strata that may be preserved into the future, reflecting the lasting impact of human activities. [2].

Current Status and Formalization Proposal

The Anthropocene is not currently recognized as a formal geologic unit in the Geologic Time Scale. Officially, we are still in the Meghalayan Epoch, which is part of the Holocene Epoch. However, the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) is working to formalize the Anthropocene as a new geologic epoch. Based on preliminary recommendations from 2016, it is proposed that the Anthropocene be considered at the series or epoch level, which would mean that the start of this new epoch would end the Holocene Epoch. The definition of the Anthropocene would follow the standard criteria used to establish units in the geologic time scale, via a GSSP (Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point), also known as a "golden point" [2].

Beginning of the Anthropocene

The onset of the Anthropocene would be optimally placed in the mid-20th century, coinciding with a series of clear and globally synchronized geological signals, such as the artificial radionuclides released following the thermonuclear bomb tests of the early 1950s. These signals represent the "Great Acceleration" characterized by population explosion, industrialization and globalization [2].

Analysis and Approval Process [2]

Analyses are currently underway to identify the most suitable location for the "golden peak" that would mark the official start of the Anthropocene. The proposal, once completed, would require approval by an absolute majority (over 60%) of the AWG and its higher bodies, the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) and the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS). It would then need ratification by the Executive Committee of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).

Conditions for Recognition [2]

For it to be accepted as a formal geological time term, two fundamental conditions must be satisfied:

1. Scientific Justification: The “geological signal” associated with the Anthropocene, the changes seen in currently forming geological strata, must be sufficiently large, clear and distinctive. This signal must reflect a significant and unmistakable human imprint on the planet’s geology to justify recognizing the Anthropocene as a distinct geological epoch.

2. Usefulness to the Scientific Community: The term must demonstrate usefulness to the scientific community. Informally, “Anthropocene” is already widely used and appreciated among Earth System and global change researchers. This continued use demonstrates that the term already has significant practical value. However, its adoption as a formal geological time unit requires broader consensus within the geological and scientific community, and this aspect is still a matter of debate.

In short, it could become a new officially recognized geological epoch if its importance is demonstrated both in terms of scientific evidence and practical usefulness to the scientific community.

Use of the Term Today[2]

The Anthropocene is a term that has gained great prominence both in the scientific community and in public debates and the media, used to describe the period of Earth's history in which human activity has had a significant and predominant impact on the Earth system. This concept reflects the idea that human activities have substantially modified natural dynamics, influencing the climate, biodiversity and other fundamental processes of the planet.

The term is used in two main contexts:

1. Chronostratigraphic Context: It is considered as a chronostratigraphic unit, that is, a specific time interval in the history of the Earth characterized by clear and distinctive signs of human influence in sediments and rocks. This approach seeks to define a formal beginning of the Anthropocene, often associated with the Industrial Revolution or the beginning of nuclear explosions.

2. Non-Chronostratigraphic Context: In a broader and more informal sense, the term is used to indicate the human impact on the planet that is diachronic, that is, not tied to a specific period, but spread over many millennia. In this context, it is recognized that human influence has deep roots and that its effects have manifested themselves differently throughout history. In geology, this type of interpretation is already included in lithostratigraphy, which classifies stratified rocks according to their physical characteristics rather than their age.

While the Anthropocene as a chronostratigraphic term seeks to define a geological epoch with a clear beginning, the informal and diachronic use of the term reflects humanity's long-term impact on the planet.

Although its formal geological status is still under debate, the term continues to be used in many settings to highlight global anthropogenic impact. It represents a fascinating and controversial proposal to describe a new period in Earth's history, defined by the unprecedented impact of humans on the global environment.

Bibliography

[1] https://www.antropocene.org/index.php/redazione

[2] Zalasiewicz, J., Waters, C. N., Summerhayes, C. P., Wolfe, A. P., Barnosky, A. D., Cearreta, A., ... & Williams, M. (2017). The Working Group on the Anthropocene: Summary of evidence and interim recommendations. Anthropocene, 19, 55-60, https://quaternary-stratigraphy-org.translate.goog/working-groups/anthropocene/?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=it&_x_tr_hl=it&_x_tr_pto=sc