Pb pollution from leaded gasoline in South America in the context of a 2000-year metallurgical history

Eichler, Anja; Gramlich, Gabriela; Kellerhals, Thomas; Tobler, L.; Schwikowski, Margit

doi:10.1126/sciadv.1400196

Cited by 82 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Paleoepollution records indicate that the intensification of metallurgy during the past 600 years led to a progressive regional rise in the emission of heavy metals since 1500 AD (Figure 2d-g) (Cooke et al, 2008(Cooke et al, , 2007De Vleeschouwer et al, 2014;Eichler et al, 2017Eichler et al, , 2015Guedron et al, 2019;Hong et al, 2004;Schwanck et al, 2016;Uglietti et al, 2015). By this period (1575 AD-2005 AD) the correlation between paleodemographic and pollution levels increased considerably (Figure 3b; Spearman's rho = 0.67, p < 0.05) compared to Pre-Inca times.…”

Section: Northern Chilementioning

confidence: 94%

“…Central Andean lacustrine records (11°-19°30'°S) show peaks in copperexcess as well as in [Pb], [Ag] and Hg fluxes from ∼900 to 700 cal yrs BP (Figure 2f-g) as silver smelting thrived regionally (Abbott and Wolfe, 2003;Cooke et al, 2008Cooke et al, , 2007Cooke et al, , 2011Guedron et al, 2019). The metal record from the Illimani cap ice-core displays increased enrichment factors for lead and copper at the interval 1500-1000 cal yrs BP (Figure 2d, Eichler et al, 2017Eichler et al, , 2015, whereas modest increases in EFs of Cu and Ag are detected in the Quelccaya ice-core 1150-500 cal yrs BP (Uglietti et al, 2015).…”

Section: Northern Chilementioning

confidence: 99%

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Geohistorical records of the Anthropocene in Chile

Gayó

McRostie

Campbell

et al. 2019

Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene

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The deep-time dynamics of coupled socio-ecological systems at different spatial scales is viewed as a key framework to understand trends and mechanisms that have led to the Anthropocene. By integrating archeological and paleoenvironmental records, we test the hypothesis that Chilean societies progressively escalated their capacity to shape national biophysical systems as socio-cultural complexity and pressures on natural resources increased over the last three millennia. We demonstrate that Pre-Columbian societies intentionally transformed Chile’s northern and central regions by continuously adjusting socio-cultural practices and/or incorporating technologies that guaranteed resource access and social wealth. The fact that past human activities led to cumulative impacts on diverse biophysical processes, not only contradicts the notion of pristine pre-Industrial Revolution landscapes, but suggests that the Anthropocene derives from long-term processes that have operated uninterruptedly since Pre-Columbian times. Moreover, our synthesis suggests that most of present-day symptoms that describe the Anthropocene are rooted in pre-Columbian processes that scaled up in intensity over the last 3000 years, accelerating after the Spanish colonization and, more intensely, in recent decades. The most striking trend is the observed coevolution between the intensity of metallurgy and heavy-metal anthropogenic emissions. This entails that the Anthropocene cannot be viewed as a universal imprint of human actions that has arisen as an exclusive consequence of modern industrial societies. In the Chilean case, this phenomenon is intrinsically tied to historically and geographically diverse configurations in society-environment feedback relationships. Taken collectively with other case studies, the patterns revealed here could contribute to the discussion about how the Anthropocene is defined globally, in terms of chronology, stratigraphic markers and attributes. Furthermore, this deep-time narrative can potentially become a science-based instrument to shape better-informed discourses about the socio-environmental history in Chile. More importantly, however, this research provides crucial “baselines” to delineate safe operating spaces for future socio-ecological systems.

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Section: Northern Chilementioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Northern Chilementioning

confidence: 99%

Geohistorical records of the Anthropocene in Chile

Gayó

McRostie

Campbell

et al. 2019

Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene

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show abstract

“…Some studies have also used ice cores to analyze historical air pollution levels dating back to pre-Incan times (e.g. Eichler et al, 2015;Uglietti et al, 2015), but they focused mostly on trace elements such as Pb, that are emitted from metallurgic activities. Given the paucity of data on this topic, its relevance for glacier energy balance in the Andes is somewhat uncertain.…”

Section: Role Of Aerosols (Black Carbon) and Albedo Feedbackmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid decline of snow and ice in the tropical Andes – Impacts, uncertainties and challenges ahead

Vuille

Carey

Huggel

et al. 2018

Earth-Science Reviews

255

213

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Glaciers in the tropical Andes have been retreating for the past several decades, leading to a temporary increase in dry season water supply downstream. Projected future glacier shrinkage, however, will lead to a long-term reduction in dry season river discharge from glacierized catchments. This glacier retreat is closely related to the observed increase in high-elevation, surface air temperature in the region. Future projections using a simple freezing level height-equilibrium-line altitude scaling approach suggest that glaciers in the inner tropics, such as Antizana in Ecuador, may be most vulnerable to future warming while glaciers in the more arid outer tropics, such as Zongo in Bolivia, may persist, albeit in a smaller size, throughout the 21st century regardless of emission scenario. Nonetheless many uncertainties persist, most notably problems with accurate snowfall measurements in the glacier accumulation zone, uncertainties in establishing accurate thickness measurements on glaciers, unknown future changes associated with local-scale circulation and cloud cover affecting glacier energy balance, the role of aerosols and in particular black carbon deposition on Andean glaciers, and the role of groundwater and aquifers interacting with glacier meltwater.The reduction in water supply for export-oriented agriculture, mining, hydropower production and human consumption are the most commonly discussed concerns associated with glacier retreat, but many other aspects including glacial hazards, tourism and recreation, and ecosystem integrity are also affected by glacier retreat. Social and political problems surrounding water allocation for subsistence farming have led to conflicts due to lack of adequate water governance. Local water management practices in many regions reflect cultural belief systems, perceptions and spiritual values and glacier retreat in some places is seen as a threat to these local livelihoods.Comprehensive adaptation strategies, if they are to be successful, therefore need to consider science, policy, culture and practice, and involve local populations. Planning needs to be based not only on future scenarios derived from physically-based numerical models, but must also consider societal needs, economic agendas, political conflicts, socioeconomic inequality and cultural values. This review elaborates on the need for adaptation as well as the challenges and constraints many adaptation projects are faced with, and lays out future directions where opportunities exist to develop successful, culturally acceptable and sustainable adaptation strategies.

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“…Several ice core and firn analyses clearly show the presence of anthropogenic tracers on the high Andes [Bolius et al, 2006;Eichler et al, 2015]. However, the potential impact of BC on the Andes snowpack and glaciers has been explored only sporadically by means of measurements [Cereceda-Balic et al, 2012;Jenk et al, 2013;Schmitt et al, 2015], precluding identifying the relative importance of BC and dust in explaining the accelerated retreat of snow and glaciers along the Andes.…”

Section: Measurements Of Bc and Dust Deposits Onto Snowpack And Glaciersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pollution and its Impacts on the South American Cryosphere

et al. 2015

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This article is a review of the science goals and activities initiated within the framework of the Pollution and its Impacts on the South American Cryosphere (PISAC) initiative. Air pollution associated with biomass burning and urban emissions affects extensive areas of South America. We focus on black carbon (BC) aerosol and its impacts on air quality, water availability, and climate, with an emphasis on the Andean cryosphere. BC is one of the key short-lived climate pollutants that is a topic of growing interest for near-term mitigation of these issues. Limited scientific evidence indicates that the Andean cryosphere has already responded to climate change with receding glaciers and snow cover, which directly affect water resources, agriculture, and energy production in the Andean region of South America. Despite the paucity of systematic observations along the Andes, a few studies have detected BC on snow and glaciers in the Andes. These, in addition to existing and projected emissions and weather patterns, suggest a possible contribution of BC to the observed retreat of the Andean cryosphere. Here we provide an overview of the current understanding of these issues from scientific and policy perspectives, and propose strategic expansions to the relevant measurement infrastructure in the region.

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Pb pollution from leaded gasoline in South America in the context of a 2000-year metallurgical history

Abstract: Ice core records show that anthropogenic Pb pollution levels from road traffic in South America exceed those of any historical metallurgy.

Cited by 82 publications

References 75 publications

Geohistorical records of the Anthropocene in Chile

Geohistorical records of the Anthropocene in Chile

Rapid decline of snow and ice in the tropical Andes – Impacts, uncertainties and challenges ahead

Pollution and its Impacts on the South American Cryosphere

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