Classification Framework for Assessing Anthropogenic Sedimentary Facies

As the mass of human-made materials now surpasses that of Earth’s total dry biomass, there is a critical need for sedimentologists to account for anthropogenic materials when analyzing depositional environments. To address this, a classification scheme is presented that extends traditional sedimentological models to encompass the diversity of modern sediments and their complex dynamics. Through relying on established sedimentological principles, the framework incorporates bed-scale, grain-scale, and sedimentary structure descriptors, as well as a methodology for describing the composition of a deposit and flexible nomenclature. It is designed to be integrative and adaptable, permitting the incorporation of additional descriptions as necessary, and is applicable across depositional settings that are dominated by either natural or anthropogenic processes. The scheme offers a practical, systematic approach to categorize and analyze the textures and structures of anthropogenic sediments, facilitating the reconstruction of modern and geologically recent environments. This unifying starting point enables more detailed predictions of material behavior and their environmental impacts, with implications for recycling, reuse, and management strategies. Furthermore, standardized nomenclature will enhance the capacity for data comparability across field sites, facilitating further understanding of our environment. Applications of this classification scheme include many interdisciplinary possibilities, overlapping with archeology, environmental monitoring, and engineering. By adopting this classification, sedimentologists can forge a deeper understanding of the stratigraphic record of the Anthropocene, contribute to developing more comprehensive strategies to manage Earth’s changing landscapes, and better understand our future geological record.