Why landfill deposits are a distinguishing feature of the Anthropocene

Abstract

The Anthropocene is generally defined as a postulated new geological epoch, which, according to various authors, began in the 20th century. The postulated Anthropocene Epoch is characterized by a decrease in biodiversity, climate change, transformations of the Earth’s surface, exploitation of natural resources, and environmental pollution. Waste landfills influence some of these features (e.g. biodiversity and climate change, create new anthropostratigraphic geological layers); therefore, they should also be a matter of interest and research conducted in order to become considered as a subsequent postulate confirming the Anthropocene Epoch. This paper draws attention to the fact that environments created and dominated by human activity, such as waste landfills, may be used as an effective starting point to confirm the new Anthropocene Epoch. Waste landfills contribute significantly to geological, climatic, environmental, and ecological changes (modification).