Interpreting the ash trend within ombrotrophic bog profiles: atmospheric dust depositions vs. mineralization processes. The Etang de la Gruère case study

Abstract

Introduction Ash peaks along ombrotrophic bog profiles may arise from several different processes. In a recent paper, Leifeld and co-authors (Plant Soil 341:349–361, 2011) argued that ash peaks along the Etang de la Gruere (EGr) peat bog profiles are signs of previous periods of higher peat decomposition rather that an indication of periods of elevated dust inputs.