Abstract The Anthropocene as a potential new unit of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart (which serves as the basis of the Geological Time Scale) is assessed in terms of the stratigraphic markers and approximate boundary levels available to define the base of the unit. The task of assessing and selecting potential Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) candidate sections, a required part of the process in seeking formalisation of the term, is now being actively pursued. Here, we review the suitability of different stratified palaeoenvironmental settings and facies as potential hosts for a candidate GSSP and auxiliary sections, and the relevant stratigraphical markers for correlation. Published examples are evaluated for their strengths and weaknesses in this respect. A marked upturn in abundance of radioisotopes of 239Pu or 14C, approximately in 1952 and 1954 CE respectively, broadly coincident with a downturn in δ13C values, is applicable across most environments. Principal palaeoenvironments examined include: settings associated with accumulations of anthropogenic material, marine anoxic basins, coral reefs, estuaries and deltas, lakes at various latitudes, peat bogs, snow/ice layers, speleothems and trees. Together, many of these geographically diverse palaeoenvironments offer annual/subannual laminae that can be counted and independently dated radiometrically (e.g. by 210Pb). Examples of possible sections offer the possibility of correlation with annual/seasonal resolution. From among such examples, a small number of potentially representative sites require the acquisition of more systematic and comprehensive datasets, with correlation established between sections, to allow selection of a candidate GSSP and auxiliary stratotypes. The assessments in this paper will help find the optimal locations for these sections.

中文翻译：

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人类世系列的全球边界层型剖面和点 (GSSP)：在哪里以及如何寻找潜在候选者

摘要 人类世作为国际年代地层图（作为地质时间尺度的基础）的潜在新单元，根据地层标记和可用于定义单元基础的近似边界水平进行评估。目前正在积极开展评估和选择潜在全球边界层型剖面和点 (GSSP) 候选剖面的任务，这是寻求该术语正式化过程的必要部分。在这里，我们回顾了不同分层古环境设置和相作为候选 GSSP 和辅助剖面的潜在宿主的适用性，以及相关地层标记的相关性。已发布的示例将评估其在这方面的优势和劣势。239Pu 或 14C 的放射性同位素丰度显着上升，分别大约在 1952 年和 1954 年 CE，与 δ13C 值的下降大致一致，适用于大多数环境。检查的主要古环境包括：与人为物质积累相关的环境、海洋缺氧盆地、珊瑚礁、河口和三角洲、不同纬度的湖泊、泥炭沼泽、雪/冰层、洞穴和树木。这些地理上不同的古环境中的许多共同提供了年度/次年度的薄层，这些薄层可以通过辐射测量（例如 210Pb）进行计数和独立测年。可能部分的示例提供了与年度/季节性分辨率相关的可能性。从这样的例子中，少数可能具有代表性的地点需要获得更系统和更全面的数据集，并在各部分之间建立相关性，以便选择候选 GSSP 和辅助层型。本文中的评估将有助于找到这些部分的最佳位置。