Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/97612
Citations
Scopus Web of Science® Altmetric
?
?
Type: Journal article
Title: Microbiotic signatures of the Anthropocene in marginal marine and freshwater palaeoenvironments
Author: Wilkinson, I.
Poirier, C.
Head, M.
Sayer, C.
Tibby, J.
Citation: Geological Society Special Publication, 2014; 395(1):185-219
Publisher: Geological Society
Issue Date: 2014
ISSN: 0305-8719
2041-4927
Statement of
Responsibility: 
I. P. Wilkinson, C. Poirier, M. J. Head, C. D. Sayer, and J. Tibby
Abstract: The term ‘Anthropocene’ has been proposed to indicate a geological interval characterized by global anthropogenic environmental change. This paper attempts to recognize a method by which the Anthropocene can be defined micropalaeontologically. In order to do this, microfloras and microfaunas (diatoms, macrophytes, dinoflagellate cysts, foraminifera and ostracods) from nearshore waters through to paralic and freshwater aquatic milieux are considered, and biotic variability with an anthropogenic causation identified. Microbiotic change can be related to anthropogenically induced extinctions, pollution-related mutation, environmentally influenced assemblage variability, geochemistry of carapaces/tests, floral change related to lacustrine acidification, faunal and floral correlation to industrial and agricultural signatures and introduction of exotic species via shipping. The influence of humanity on a local scale can be recognized in assemblages as far back as 5000 years BP. However, widespread anthropogenic change took place in Europe and America, particularly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, although in Asia (e.g. Japan) it cannot be observed prior to the twentieth century. Profound and global biotic change began in the mid-twentieth century and, if the Anthropocene is to be defined in this way, then the period 1940–1945 might encompass the biotic base of the interval.
Rights: © The Geological Society of London 2014
DOI: 10.1144/SP395.14
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/sp395.14
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest 3
Geography, Environment and Population publications

Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.