The Śnieżka peatland as a candidate Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point for the Anthropocene series
Barbara Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł, Edyta Łokas, Beata Smieja-Król, Simon Turner, François De Vleeschouwer, Michał Woszczyk, Katarzyna Marcisz, Mariusz Gałka, Mariusz Lamentowicz, Piotr Kołaczek, Irka Hajdas, Monika Karpińska‐Kołaczek, Katarzyna Kołtonik, Tomasz Mróz, Sarah Roberts, Neil L. Rose, Tomasz Krzykawski, Arnoud Boom, Handong Yang
Abstract
The subalpine, atmospherically fed Śnieżka peatland, located in the Polish part of the Sudetes, is one of the nominated candidates for the GSSP of the Anthropocene. Data from two profiles, Sn1 (2012) and Sn0 (2020), from this site are critical for distinguishing the proposed epoch, while an additional core Sn2 is presented to support main evidence. The Sn0 archive contains a wide array of critical markers such as plutonium (Pu), radiocarbon (F 14 C), fly ash particles, Hg and stable C and N isotopes which are consistent with the previously well documented 210 Pb/ 14 C dated Sn1 profile, which provides a high-resolution and comprehensive database of trace elements and rare earth elements (REE), Pb isotopes, Pu, Cs, pollen and testate amoebae. The 1952 worldwide appearance of Pu, owing to its global synchronicity and repeatability between the cores, is proposed here as a primary marker of the Anthropocene, supported by the prominent upturn of selected chemostratigraphic and biostratigraphic indicators as well as the appearance of technofossils and artificial radionuclides.