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Anthropogenic novel entities in the Earth system
Lauren Zink1, Elvis Genbo Xu2, Susanne M Brander3
1Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
Abstract:
The term 'novel entities' refers to anthropogenic substances and materials that have the potential to disrupt natural processes across the spheres of Earth - the lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (living things). The 'planetary boundaries framework', within which novel entities were defined, identifies boundaries of the safe operating space of Earth, which, if crossed, may lead to dangerous and irreversible changes. Generally, novel entities of planetary concern are those substances that are persistent, mobile, and potentially harmful. Novel entities include new chemicals, modified life forms, and engineered materials (Figure 1).
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