Question

What evidence has been cited to support that humans have altered the planet sufficiently to place us into a new geological epoch, called the Anthropocene?

	A.	Detectable changes to sediments globally, from the testing of nuclear weapons, the use of fertilizers, and the burning of fossil fuels
	B.	A rise in greenhouse gas emissions and airborne particulates from fossil fuel combustion
	C.	Changes that are likely to be evident in the fossil record of the future, such as an increase in species extinction rates and ubiquitous microplastic particles
	D.	A and C are correct
	E.	A, B and C are correct

Answer 1

The Anthropocene defines Earth's most recent geologic time period as being human influenced or anthropogenic based on certain drastic global changes which altered the atmospheric, hydrologic, geologic, biospheric and other systemic processes of Earth. It leads to a culminating effect globally.

The evidences that suggest human intervention have altered the planet significantly by anthropogenic actions are as follows:

(a) Sedimental and fossil record- Humans activities like deforestation and urban development lead to change in  soil composition and have increased the average total sediment fluxes across earth surface. Use of chemical fertilizers disturbing soil optimum pH and thereby the weeds and pests have become herbicide and pesticide resistance. The fossil record of the future will clearly show the alterations such as species extinction rates due to habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting, introduction of alien species, etc and ubiquitous microplastic particles.

(b) Climate- One culminating geological symptom resulting from anthropogenic actions is increasing carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere which results from burning of fossil fuels. Emission of green house gases and air borne particulates from fossil fuel combustion changes the Earth's climatic system pattern that might have a long term effect in the immediate future.

(c) Biodiversity and biogeography- The events of industrial melanism, antibiotics or drugs resistance, etc are due to the involvement and actions of man which provides examples of evolution by anthropogenic action. Human activities have accelerated the species extinction rate disturbing the ecological imbalance which results in loss of biodiversity. The Earth had also witnessed human influenced activity at its crudest level from the testing of nuclear weapons to developing bio-weapons.

So A, B and C are correct. Option (E) is the correct one.