The role of analytical chemistry in the study of the Anthropocene

The term “Anthropocene” refers to not yet formalized epoch of geologic time during which geologic processes have been dominated by the human impact. This impact takes on many forms. Biological, physical and chemical changes to the Earth System caused by anthropogenic activity are recorded in natural archives either as new fossil assemblages (neobiota), anthropogenic deposits or a wide variety of pollutants emitted to the environment. With the current efforts to formalize the Anthropocene Epoch, a new trend in analytical chemistry has emerged. The use of different dating techniques combined with the study of chemical signals recorded in different natural archives, such as ice cores, marine and freshwater sediments, corals, tree rings, stalactites, allows us to reconstruct historic emission trends. This paper presents characteristics of specific samples to be analyzed and the pertinent analytical techniques to be applied for the purpose of gaining the knowledge required for formalizing the Anthropocene Epoch.