Climate - human interaction: A study on past and present profiles

Abstract

Lipid biomarkers approach is being deployed on the lacustrine system to understand the impact of human activities on natural earth systems. For this surface sediment samples were analyzed and various compounds were identified such as PAHs, Phthalates and UCM which are direct indicator of anthropogenic inputs. PAHs compounds are majorly produced by pyrolytic activities as well as burning of fossil fuels. UCM is also supportive of presence of petroleum contamination in the lake system. Phthalates are indicator of disposal of plastic products, sewage discharges as well as activities such bathing, laundering, boating and fishing. Hence, through biomarker analysis of the organic constituents it was confirmed that the lake system is highly influenced by anthropogenic activities of the population residing in and around the lake system. The presence of these compounds is higher concentration can affect the lake system in terms of degree of eutrophication and therefore majors should be taken for sustainability of the lake. In order to under the influence of various components of the Earth system on human habitation, the culture- climate correlation was studied from northern and central India. The geochemical and sedimentological analysis carried out on the studied litho-section indicated intensified aridification in the region. The prehistoric archaeological evidences recovered from the region indicate that the habitants relied on hunting, gathering and general foraging for survival rather than agriculture, evidence for which is currently lacking and a lifestyle which comes much later in the Pleistocene.