Greta Jimenez
Humans are relative newcomers to Earth, and for billions of years, life on the planet was dominated by single-celled microbes. However, since their arrival, humans have had a profound impact on the planet, with the most significant changes occurring during the Industrial Revolution. The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) has proposed defining the Anthropocene epoch in the geologic time scale, with a start date in the mid-20th century, coinciding with the Great Acceleration, a period of dramatic increases in global population growth, pollution, and natural resource exploitation. Human activities have led to the contamination of the oceans, with nuclear tests resulting in the release of radionuclides such as 137Cs and 90Sr, which have been linked to increasing rates of thyroid cancer worldwide. The geologic record reveals that bursts of evolution and expansion are often interrupted by mass extinctions, and human-induced changes are contributing to this trend.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Geological event or epoch | Geological event |
| Proposed start date | Mid-20th century |
| Alternative start date | 1850 |
| Factors | Population growth, pollution, exploitation of natural resources, the Atomic Age, early farming, land clearance, industrial transformation, nuclear tests |
| Impact | Increase in thyroid cancer rates, bioaccumulation, soil formation, ocean acidification |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution, which began in the mid-1700s, marked a significant shift in manufacturing processes, with the introduction of heavy industrial machinery and semi-automated factory systems. This transition, driven by steam power, enabled mass production and improved efficiencies, resulting in rapid economic growth and advancements in transportation systems. However, the environmental consequences of this period were profound and far-reaching.
One of the defining characteristics of the Industrial Revolution was the intensive use of fossil fuels, such as coal, to power the new machinery. This led to a sharp increase in carbon emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). Over the entire industrial era, approximately 2.3 trillion tonnes of CO2 were released into the atmosphere. The rate of increase in atmospheric CO2 has been accelerating, rising from 1 ppm per year in 1960 to nearly 3 ppm per year in recent times. As a result, atmospheric CO2 concentrations have increased by over 40% since the 18th century.
The burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes also contributed to air pollution. Cities across Europe and the United States, such as Manchester, Glasgow, and Birmingham, became heavily industrialised and polluted. Rivers like the Cuyahoga in the United States and the Tawe in Wales were grossly contaminated by industrial waste and chemicals, highlighting the severe environmental degradation caused by industrial activities.
The impact of the Industrial Revolution extended beyond air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The rapid industrialisation and urbanisation led to deforestation, water pollution, and overcrowding in cities. The depletion of natural resources and the strain on ecosystems were also significant concerns. These issues prompted the creation of legislation and agreements aimed at addressing pollution, such as the Clean Water Act and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
The legacy of the Industrial Revolution's environmental impact is still felt today. The ocean, for example, has absorbed a significant portion of the excess carbon dioxide, leading to ocean acidification. This increase in acidity interferes with the ability of marine life to build skeletons and shells, affecting their survival and the overall ocean ecosystem. The Industrial Revolution set in motion a chain of events that continue to drive global warming and climate change, with rising global temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events.
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Nuclear tests and nuclear fallout
Nuclear tests and the resulting nuclear fallout have had a significant impact on ocean pollution. Nuclear fallout refers to the residual radioisotope material created by nuclear explosions or accidents. The radioactive cloud formed by an explosion moves through the atmosphere, and the radioactive elements with the shortest half-lives decay before descending to the surface, reducing the overall intensity of the fallout. This process also allows the cloud to disperse over a larger area, resulting in less concentrated radioactive debris, known as "global fallout."
The impact of nuclear fallout on the ocean was observed during the 1954 nuclear tests, including the Bravo test, where fallout landing on the ocean was found to disperse in the top water layer above the thermocline at 100 meters depth. The distribution and amount of fallout are influenced by factors such as weapon yield, fission yield, burst height, and meteorological conditions.
The ocean's plankton, a mixture of animal and plant life, is particularly vulnerable to nuclear fallout. As plankton is the primary food source for many marine creatures, contamination can lead to the death of these animals. The contaminated organisms will eventually sink to the ocean floor, potentially impacting bottom-dwelling creatures as well. Over time, the ecosystem may recover, but some species may not survive the initial contamination.
The effects of nuclear fallout on the ocean ecosystem can range from harmless to fatal, depending on the scale of the explosion and the sensitivity of different species. Mammals are extremely sensitive to nuclear radiation, followed by birds, plants, fish, reptiles, crustaceans, and various other organisms. A hypothetical small-scale nuclear war, as modelled by climatologist Alan Robock and professor Brian Toon, could release enough soot into the atmosphere to block sunlight, lower global temperatures, and create widespread food insecurity. Additionally, the introduction of soot into the upper atmosphere could deplete the ozone layer, further affecting plant growth and human health.
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Pollution and exploitation of natural resources
Oceans are among the Earth's most valuable natural resources. They govern the weather, clean the air, help feed the world, and provide a living for millions. They are also home to most of the life on Earth. However, human activity has led to the pollution of these precious ecosystems.
The pollution of the oceans is a global issue that crosses national boundaries. It is caused by the reckless, shortsighted, and unsustainable exploitation of the Earth's resources. The majority of the garbage that enters the ocean each year is plastic. Single-use plastic bags, water bottles, drinking straws, and yogurt containers, totalling about eight million metric tons of plastic waste, are tossed instead of being recycled. Unlike other trash, plastic does not biodegrade and can persist in the environment for a millennium. Plastic pollution has been found at the bottom of the deepest ocean trench, and in the stomachs of marine animals, who mistake it for food. It entangles marine life, damages sensitive habitats, and interferes with navigation safety.
Other forms of pollution that impact ocean health include oil spills, carbon emissions, constant noise, pesticides, and fertiliser runoff. Oceans absorb as much as a quarter of all man-made carbon emissions, which changes the pH of surface waters and leads to acidification. This problem is rapidly worsening, with oceans now acidifying faster than they have in 300 million years. If greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, the surface waters of the ocean could be nearly 150% more acidic by the end of the century.
The sources of marine debris are varied. While some is dumped directly into the seas, 80% of marine litter comes from land-based sources, including littering, poor waste management practices, storm water discharge, and extreme natural events such as tsunamis and hurricanes. Some debris, such as derelict fishing gear, also comes from ocean-based sources. This lost or abandoned gear continues to capture and kill wildlife.
Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease in the world today, responsible for an estimated nine million premature deaths per year. The impacts of ocean pollution on human health are only beginning to be understood. However, it is clear that the health of the oceans and the health of humans are closely linked.
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Ocean acidification
When CO2 is absorbed by seawater, a series of chemical reactions occur, resulting in an increased concentration of hydrogen ions. This increase causes the seawater to become more acidic and lowers the concentration of carbonate ions. Carbonate ions are essential building blocks for structures such as sea shells and coral skeletons. A decrease in their availability makes it difficult for calcifying organisms such as oysters, clams, sea urchins, and corals to build and maintain their shells and other calcium carbonate structures.
The impact of ocean acidification is far-reaching, affecting the entire world's oceans, including coastal estuaries and waterways. It poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and food chains linked to the oceans, especially coral reefs and shelled marine organisms. Many economies and people worldwide depend on these ecosystems for fishing, tourism, and coastal management services. Additionally, for many people, food from the ocean is their primary source of protein.
As ocean acidification progresses, the pH of surface ocean waters continues to fall. Between 1950 and 2020, the average pH of the ocean surface dropped from approximately 8.15 to 8.05, representing a 30% increase in acidity. It is important to note that while some species are harmed by ocean acidification, algae and seagrasses may benefit from higher CO2 conditions as they require CO2 for photosynthesis.
Addressing ocean acidification requires reducing carbon dioxide emissions, which is a primary objective of climate change mitigation measures. Removing CO2 from the atmosphere can help reverse the process of ocean acidification and mitigate its detrimental effects on marine life and ecosystems.
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Climate change
Humans have been polluting the oceans for centuries, but the Industrial Revolution marked an unprecedented global human impact on the planet. The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) of the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) has proposed defining the Anthropocene epoch in the geologic time scale, marking the period of significant human-induced impacts on the planet. This includes the mass extinction of large vertebrates, early farming, land clearance, industrial transformation, and the Atomic Age.
The Industrial Revolution, which began around the mid-1800s, saw an increase in the use of fossil fuels, leading to higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This, in turn, has contributed to ocean acidification, as the oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide. The increased acidity can have various effects on marine organisms, and while some species may thrive under acidic conditions, others may struggle to adapt.
Nuclear tests during the Atomic Age, which also began in the mid-20th century, have led to severe contamination of test sites on land and in the surrounding marine environment. Radionuclides released during these tests, such as 137Cs, 90Sr, and 131I, have impacted the environment and human health. For example, the release of 131I has been linked to increasing rates of thyroid cancer worldwide.
Additionally, human activities such as land levelling, trenching, embankment building, early landscape-scale control of fire, and the addition of waste and fertilisers have directly and indirectly affected soil formation and pollution. These anthropogenic soils, classified as Anthrosols and Technosols, have been significantly altered by human activities.
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Frequently asked questions
Humans have been profoundly modifying Earth's landscape for a long time, but the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century brought about an unprecedented global human impact on the planet.
The Industrial Revolution ushered in a period of dramatic increases in global population growth, pollution, and the exploitation of natural resources.
The Anthropocene epoch is a proposed geological time period to mark the significant human-induced impacts on the planet. It is generally agreed that the Anthropocene started around the mid-20th century, coinciding with the start of the Atomic Age and the Great Acceleration, a post-World War II period of dramatic increases in global population growth, pollution, and the exploitation of natural resources.
Human-induced changes to the Earth system include the mass extinction of large vertebrates, the development of early farming, land clearance in the Americas, global-scale industrial transformation during the Industrial Revolution, and the start of the Atomic Age, which brought about local nuclear fallout and severe contamination of test sites on land and in the surrounding marine environment.
