Week 10: The Anthropocene

Question 1

What are the main fertiliser nutrients used?

Answer 1

Nitrates and phosphate

Question 2

What does the classification of a new epoch - the anthropocene as a distinguished from the holocene - rely on?

Answer 2

A change in stratigraphic signature in sedimentary deposits

Question 3

What 3 materials are contributing to newly define ‘technofossils’?

Answer 3

• plastics
• aluminium
• concrete

Question 4

What are the 2 biggest threats to species?

Answer 4

1. overexploitation

2. agriculture

Question 5

Anthropocene can be marked by what 3 factors?

Answer 5

1. Carbon 12 to carbon 13 ratios
2. Technofossils
3. Species extinctions