Unprecedented wind erosion and perturbation of surface geochemistry marks the Anthropocene in Australia

摘要: Australia, the last continent to undergo industrial development, is an ideal environment in which quantify magnitude of human-induced environmental change during Anthropocene because its entire agricultural and history has occurred within this period. Analysis alpine peat mire showed that rapid development (both pastoral cropping) over past 200 years resulted significant Australia. Beginning 1880s, rates wind erosion metal enrichment were up 10 30 times background natural conditions, respectively. Increased dust deposition expansion source areas found map progression European farming across continent, while pulses matched known land degradation events. After 1990 decreased, returning pre-1880 rates. This was attributed three factors: net soil loss following more than a century activity, increased awareness conservation, changing windiness. Metal reached approximately 2 accumulation by 1980s as Australia's mining industry expanded. However, continued increase after reaching average ~5 2006 reflecting mineral resource Collectively, results show changes geochemical sedimentary systems, result have profoundly changed Australian two centuries. Key Points The 2.5 since Average 5 1880 Two phases are identifiable