The Anthropocene

Image from this web site: http://www.nextnature.net/

 
William F. Ruddiman

The start of the period of large-scale human effects on this planet (the Anthropocene) is debated. The industrial view holds that most significant impacts have occurred since the early industrial era (1850), whereas the early-anthropogenic view recognizes large impacts thousands of years earlier. This review focuses on three indices of global-scale human influence: forest clearance (and related land use), emissions of greenhouse gases (CO2 and CH4), and effects on global temperature. Because reliable, systematic land-use surveys are rare prior to 1950, most reconstructions for early-industrial centuries and prior millennia are hind casts that assume humans have used roughly the same amount of land per person for 7,000 years. But this assumption is incorrect. Historical data and new archeological databases reveal much greater per-capita land use in preindustrial than in recent centuries. This early forest clearance caused much greater preindustrial greenhouse-gas emissions and global temperature changes than those proposed within the industrial paradigm.

More information about the article: Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences Vol. 41: 45-68 (Volume publication date May 2013)

Authors and affiliations:

William F. Ruddiman

Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904

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Association of classroom ventilation with reduced illness absence: a prospective study in California elementary schools

St. John's School, Perth, Scotland from the upper playground (c)Btoner1971947

The last issue of Indoor Air reports an interesting article regarding the relationship between air ventilation in classrooms and the probability of students illness. The authors M.J. Mendell, E.A. Eliseeva, M.M. Davies, M. Spears, A. Lobscheid, W. J. Fisk, M.G. Apte from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (California, USA). Here below the abstract of the article.

Limited evidence associates inadequate classroom ventilation rates (VRs) with increased illness absence (IA). We investigated relationships between VRs and IA in California elementary schools over two school years in 162 3rd–5th-grade classrooms in 28 schools in three school districts: South Coast (SC), Bay Area (BA), and Central Valley (CV). We estimated relationships between daily IA and VR (estimated from two year daily real-time carbon dioxide in each classroom) in zero-inflated negative binomial models. We also compared IA benefits and energy costs of increased VRs. All school districts had median VRs below the 7.1 l/s-person California standard. For each additional 1 l/s-person of VR, IA was reduced significantly (p<0.05) in models for combined districts (−1.6%) and for SC (−1.2%), and nonsignificantly for districts providing less data: BA (−1.5%) and CV (−1.0%). Assuming associations were causal and generalizable, increasing classroom VRs from the California average (4 l/s-person) to the State standard would decrease IA by 3.4%, increase attendance-linked funding to schools by $33 million annually, and increase costs by only $4 million. Further increasing VRs would provide additional benefits. These findings, while requiring confirmation, suggest that increasing classroom VRs above the State standard would substantially decrease illness absence and produce economic benefits.

More information about the article: Indoor Air Volume 23, Issue 6, pages 515–528, December 2013

Authors and affiliations:

Indoor Environment Group, Environmental Energy Technologies Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA

M.J. Mendell, E.A. Eliseeva, M.M. Davies, M. Spears, A. Lobscheid, W. J. Fisk, M.G. Apte

The propagation of light pollution in the atmosphere

Europe, North Africa and Western Asia photographed at night. April - October 2012. (c)
NASA Earth Observatory

P. Cinzano and F. Falchi from Istituto di Scienza e Tecnologia dell'Inquinamento Luminoso and Osservatorio Astronomico ‘G. V. Schiaparelli’ studied the light pollution related to artificial night-sky brightness. The abstract follows.

Recent methods to map artificial night-sky brightness and stellar visibility across large territories or their distribution over the entire sky at any site are based on computation of the propagation of light pollution with Garstang models, a simplified solution of the radiative transfer problem in the atmosphere that allows fast computation by reducing it to a ray-tracing approach. They are accurate for a clear atmosphere, when a two-scattering approximation is acceptable, which is the most common situation. We present here up-to-date extended Garstang models (EGM), which provide a more general numerical solution for the radiative transfer problem applied to the propagation of light pollution in the atmosphere. We also present the lptran software package, an application of EGM to high-resolution Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) satellite measurements of artificial light emission and to GTOPO30 (Global 30 Arcsecond) digital elevation data, which provides an up-to-date method to predict the artificial brightness distribution of the night sky at any site in the world at any visible wavelength for a broad range of atmospheric situations and the artificial radiation density in the atmosphere across the territory. EGM account for (i) multiple scattering, (ii) wavelengths from 250 nm to infrared, (iii) the Earth's curvature and its screening effects, (iv) site and source elevation, (v) many kinds of atmosphere with the possibility of custom set-up (e.g. including thermal inversion layers), (vi) a mix of different boundary-layer aerosols and tropospheric aerosols, with the possibility of custom set-up, (vii) up to five aerosol layers in the upper atmosphere, including fresh and aged volcanic dust and meteoric dust, (viii) variations of the scattering phase function with elevation, (ix) continuum and line gas absorption from many species, ozone included, (x) up to five cloud layers, (xi) wavelength-dependent bidirectional reflectance of the ground surface from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data, main models or custom data (snow included) and (xii) geographically variable upward light-emission function given as a three-parameter function or a Legendre polynomial series. Atmospheric scattering properties or light-pollution propagation functions from other sources can also be applied. A more general solution allows us to account also for (xiii) mountain screening, (xiv) geographical gradients of atmospheric conditions, including localized clouds and (xv) geographic distribution of ground surfaces, but suffers from too heavy computational requirements. Comparisons between predictions of classic Garstang models and EGM show close agreement for a US62 standard clear atmosphere and typical upward emission function.

Follow this link for more information about this article: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 427: 3337–3357

Authors and affiliations:

Istituto di Scienza e Tecnologia dell'Inquinamento Luminoso (ISTIL), Thiene, Italy

Cinzano, P.

CieloBuio, Coordinamento per la Protezione del Cielo Notturno, Osservatorio Astronomico ‘G. V. Schiaparelli’, Varese, Italy

Falchi, F.

Potential water saving through changes in European diets

An irrigation canal south of Culver.(c) Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives

In the last issue of Environmental International D. Vanham, A.Y. Hoekstra, G. Bidoglio have published an article concerning the consumption of water and European diets. Here the abstract.

This study quantifies the water footprint of consumption (WFcons) regarding agricultural products for three diets – the current diet (REF), a healthy diet (HEALTHY) and a vegetarian diet (VEG) – for the four EU zones WEST, NORTH, SOUTH and EAST. The WFcons related to the consumption of agricultural products (4265 l per capita per day or lcd) accounts for 89% of the EU's total WFcons (4815 lcd). The effect of diet has therefore an essential impact on the total WFcons. The current zonal WFcons regarding agricultural products is: 5875 lcd (SOUTH), 4053 lcd (EAST), 3761 lcd (WEST) and 3197 lcd (NORTH). These differences are the result of different consumption behaviours as well as different agricultural production methods and conditions. From the perspective of a healthy diet based on regional dietary guidelines, the intake of several product groups (sugar, crop oils, animal fats and meat) should be decreased and increased for others (vegetables, fruit). The WFcons regarding agricultural products for the alternative diets are the following: HEALTHY 4110 lcd (− 30%) and VEG 3476 lcd (− 41%) for SOUTH; HEALTHY 3606 lcd (− 11%) and VEG 2956 lcd (− 27%) for EAST; HEALTHY 2766 lcd (− 26%) and VEG 2208 lcd (− 41%) for WEST; HEALTHY 3091 lcd (− 3%) and VEG 2166 lcd (− 32%) for NORTH. Both the healthy and vegetarian diets thus result – consistent for all zones – in substantial WFcons reductions. The largest reduction takes place for the vegetarian diet. Indeed, a lot of water can be saved by EU citizens by a change in their diet.

Follow this link for more information about this article: Environment International  Volume 61, November 2013, Pages 45–56

Affiliations:

European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra, VA, Italy

D. Vanham, G. Bidoglio

Department of Water Engineering and Management, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
A.Y. Hoekstra

Improving local air quality in cities: To tree or not to tree?

A huge tree with heavy branches, on the corner of Zeeburgerdijk and Panamalaan in Indische Buurt / Amsterdam East; early spring 2013. (c) FotoDutch

Scientists of Flemish Institute for for Technological Research have been published on the journal Environmental Pollution an article concerning the role of trees on the improvement of air quality in urban environment. Authors are: Peter E.J. Vos, Bino Maiheu, Jean Vankerkom, Stijn Janssen. Here the abstract.

Vegetation is often quoted as an effective measure to mitigate urban air quality problems. In this work we demonstrate by the use of computer models that the air quality effect of urban vegetation is more complex than implied by such general assumptions. By modelling a variety of real-life examples we show that roadside urban vegetation rather leads to increased pollutant concentrations than it improves the air quality, at least locally. This can be explained by the fact that trees and other types of vegetation reduce the ventilation that is responsible for diluting the traffic emitted pollutants. This aerodynamic effect is shown to be much stronger than the pollutant removal capacity of vegetation. Although the modelling results may be subject to a certain level of uncertainty, our results strongly indicate that the use of urban vegetation for alleviating a local air pollution hotspot is not expected to be a viable solution.


Follow this link for more information about this article: Environmental Pollution Volume 183, December 2013, Pages 113–122

Affiliations:
Environmental Modelling Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
Peter E.J. Vos, Bino Maiheu, Jean Vankerkom, Stijn Janssen

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Influential parameters on particle concentration and size distribution in the mainstream of e-cigarettes

F.C. Fuoco, G. Buonanno, L. Stabile and P. Vigo from the University of Cassino (Italy), in this article report an interesting study about the aerosol produced by the electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Here below the abstract.

Electronic cigarette-generated mainstream aerosols were characterized in terms of particle number concentrations and size distributions through a Condensation Particle Counter and a Fast Mobility Particle Sizer spectrometer, respectively. A thermodilution system was also used to properly sample and dilute the mainstream aerosol.

Different types of electronic cigarettes, liquid flavors, liquid nicotine contents, as well as different puffing times were tested. Conventional tobacco cigarettes were also investigated.

The total particle number concentration peak (for 2-s puff), averaged across the different electronic cigarette types and liquids, was measured equal to 4.39 ± 0.42 × 10⁹ part. cm⁻³, then comparable to the conventional cigarette one (3.14 ± 0.61 × 10⁹ part. cm⁻³). Puffing times and nicotine contents were found to influence the particle concentration, whereas no significant differences were recognized in terms of flavors and types of cigarettes used.

Particle number distribution modes of the electronic cigarette-generated aerosol were in the 120–165 nm range, then similar to the conventional cigarette one.

Follow the link below to go to article website:

Environmental Pollution Volume 184, January 2014, Pages 523–529

Affiliations: 

Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via Di Biasio 43, Cassino 03043, Italy

F.C. Fuoco, G. Buonanno, L. Stabile and P. Vigo

Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

G. Buonanno

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Trace elements in scalp hair of children chronically exposed to volcanic activity (Mt. Etna, Italy)

(c) Josep Renalias

This article has been written by D. Varrica, E. Tamburo, G. Dongarrà and F. Sposito of Dip. Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Palermo - Italy.

The aim of this survey was to use scalp hair as a biomonitor to evaluate the environmental exposure to metals and metalloids of schoolchildren living around the Mt. Etna area, and to verify whether the degree of human exposure to trace elements is subject to changes in local environmental factors.

Twenty trace elements were determined in 376 samples of scalp hair from schoolboys (11–13 years old) of both genders, living in ten towns located around the volcanic area of Mt. Etna (Sicily). The results were compared with those (215 samples) from children living in areas of Sicily characterized by a different geological setting (reference site). As, U and V showed much higher concentrations at the volcanic site whereas Sr was particularly more abundant at the reference site. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) indicated an Etna factor, made up of V, U and Mn, and a second factor, concerning the reference site, characterized by Ni and Sr, and to a lesser extent by Mo and Cd. Significant differences in element concentrations were also observed among three different sectors of Mt. Etna area. Young people living in the Mt. Etna area are naturally exposed to enhanced intakes of some metals (V, U, Mn) and non-metals (e.g., As) than individuals of the same age residing in other areas of Sicily, characterized by different lithologies and not influenced by volcanic activity. The petrographic nature of local rocks and the dispersion of the volcanic plume explain the differences, with ingestion of water and local food as the most probable exposure pathways.

Science of The Total Environment   Volumes 470–471, 1 February 2014, Pages 117–126

Affiliations:
Dip. Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), via Archirafi 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy
D. Varrica, E. Tamburo, G. Dongarrà and F. Sposito

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A 700 year record of combustion-derived pollution in northern Spain: Tools to identify the Holocene/Anthropocene transition in coastal environments

© Michael Jastremski

The authors are Eduardo Leorri, Siddhartha Mitra, María Jesús Irabien, Andrew R. Zimmerman, William H. Blake, Alejandro Cearreta, affiliated to

East Carolina University - USA; Universidad del País Vasco, Bilbao - Spain; University of Florida - USA; University of Plymouth - UK

There is an uneven geographical distribution of historic records of atmospheric pollutants from SW Europe and those that exist are very limited in temporal extent. Alternative data source is required to understand temporal trends in human impacts on atmospheric pollution. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metal content and stable Pb isotopic ratios in a sediment core from a salt marsh in northern Spain were used to reconstruct the regional history of contaminant inputs over the last 700 years. Pre-1800s concentrations of Pb and PAHs represented baseline concentrations, i.e. pre-Industrial, conditions. During the initial stages of the Industrial Revolution, 1800s to 1860s, PAH concentrations increased by a factor of about two above baseline levels in the sediment column. By the 1930s, PAH levels reached ca. 10 times pre-Industrial levels and, along with Pb, reached a peak at ca. 1975 CE. Since then, sedimentary PAH and Pb concentrations decreased significantly. A combination of PAH isomer and Pb stable isotope ratios suggests that the contaminant sources are regional, likely derived partially from wood, but mainly coal used by the metallurgic industry in the Basque country since the 1800s and until the 1970s when leaded petrol saw increased use. This chronology of regional atmosphere-derived pollution expands current southwest Europe emission records and shows coastal salt marsh sediments to be useful in reconstructing the Anthropocene.

Science of The Total Environment  -  Volumes 470–471, 1 February 2014, Pages 240–247

Affiliations:
Department of Geological Sciences, East Carolina University, Graham Building 103B, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
Eduardo Leorri, Siddhartha Mitra

Departamento de Mineralogía y Petrología, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, Apartado 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
María Jesús Irabien

Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida, 241 Williamson Hall, P.O. Box 112120, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Andrew R. Zimmerman

Consolidated Radioisotope Facility, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
William H. Blake

Departamento de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, Apartado 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
Alejandro Cearreta

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