Ancient Peat Research Articles

Distribution and carbon isotopic composition of diploptene from epiphytic bryophytes in Wuhan, central China

Diploptene is a ubiquitous hopanoid in the geosphere, synthesized by all hopanoid-containing bacteria. Variations in the concentration and stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of diploptene in ancient peats and lignite can be used to reconstruct certain aspects of the wetland methane cycle in the past. However, the sources and mechanisms that control diploptene δ13C values in wetlands are not fully constrained. To address this, here we determined the distribution and δ13C values of diploptene, as well as n-alkanes, obtained from five genera of epiphytic bryophytes (non-vascular plants such as mosses) that occupy-three different habitats: soil, rock, and tree bark. Our data show that the concentrations of diploptene are highly variable with two order of magnitude differences between the various species. Mosses collected from the soil habitat had higher concentrations compared to those from rock and tree habitats. This suggests that the input from some habitats might dominate the sedimentary signal. The δ13C values of diploptene (δ13Cdip) also vary between species with values ranging between –39.2‰ and –31.2‰. Generally, the δ13C values of diploptene and long chain n-alkanes (i.e., C29 and C31) are similar (±2‰) in most of the bryophyte species. This may suggest that diploptene is produced by heterotrophic bacteria that live in symbiosis with the mosses. However, for some bryophytes the δ13Cdip values are much more 13C depleted (>–2‰) compared to long chain n-alkanes, implying that for some mosses bacterial methanotrophs or methylotrophs may contribute to the diploptene pool. Our findings expand our understanding of the biological sources of diploptene in terrestrial epiphytic bryophytes, which will allow for a more detailed interpretation of the long chain n-alkanes and diploptene (δ13C values) in past environmental and paleoclimatic reconstructions.

Evaluation of the wider applications of the alkanol index BNA15 as temperature proxy in a broad distribution of peat deposits

The BNA15 biomarker proxy, which reflects the relative abundance of the branched over the normal C15 alkan-1-ols, was recently proposed as a novel terrestrial paleothermometer and applied to ancient peat deposits to reconstruct past temperature variations across the Holocene. However, to date, a peat-specific calibration for this novel temperature proxy does not exist. Here we analyzed a set of surface and downcore peat samples from Chinese peatlands with a broad range in mean annual air temperature (MAAT) (–3.2 °C to 18.5 °C) and pH (4.7 to 8) to understand the relationship between the BNA15 proxy and temperature in peat deposits. Downcore samples from three peatlands outside China were also obtained to test its wider applicability. Our results show that the variations in BNA15 across multiple surface samples from a single peatland are relatively large, suggesting that we must be careful with the application of BNA15 to reconstruct small amplitude temperature variations. In addition, the BNA15 changes significantly with depth, with higher values in the anoxic catotelm in mid/low latitude peatlands and slightly higher values in the oxic acrotelm in high latitude/altitude peatlands. Combined with concentrations of alkan-1-ols in a subtropical peat core retrieved from central China, we propose that branched alkan-1-ols are predominantly produced at the acrotelm-catotelm boundary. BNA15 has a moderate correlation with the growth temperature (including the months that the daily temperature is over 0 °C) in surface peat samples. In contrast, a strong positive correlation exists between BNA15 and MAAT using catotelm samples from Chinese peatlands (MAAT = 2.03 × BNA15 – 2.33; R2 = 0.95, p < 0.01, RMSE = 2.3 °C). We find no clear correlation between BNA15 and pH in the surface peat samples. The application of the BNA15 index to two forest/woody wetlands from outside of China highlights that care should be taken when applying this index in these environments.

Vulnerability of the Ancient Peat Plateaus in Western Siberia.

Based on the data of the plant macrofossil and palynological composition of the peat deposits, the evolution and current state of polygonal peatlands were analyzed at the southern limit of continuous permafrost in the Pur-Taz interfluve. Paleoreconstruction shows that peat accumulation began in the Early Holocene, about 9814 cal. year BP, in the Late Pre-Boreal (PB-2), at a rate of 1 to 1.5 mm year−1. Intensive peat accumulation continued in the Boreal and early Atlantic. The geocryological complex of polygonal peatlands has remained a stable bog system despite the predicted warming and increasing humidity. However, a rather rapid upper permafrost degradation and irreversible changes in the bog systems of polygonal peatlands occur with anthropogenic disturbances, in particular, a change in the natural hydrological regime under construction of linear objects.

Above‐ to belowground carbon allocation in peatlands shifts with plant functional type and temperature#

AbstractBackgroundNorthern peatlands have accumulated vast amounts of carbon (C) as peat. Warming temperatures may affect peatland C stores by increasing microbial decomposition of ancient peat through enhanced input of labile root exudates by expansion of vascular plants, thereby accelerating atmospheric warming.AimsWe set out to explore how much freshly assimilated C is allocated belowground by vascular plants, and if the above‐ to belowground allocation is affected by temperature and plant functional types.MethodsWe traced the C allocation pathways of two dominant plant functional types (i.e., sedges and shrubs) in two peatlands under different temperature regimes by combining selective plant removal in mixed sedge‐shrub vegetation and in situ 13C pulse‐labelling. Aboveground to belowground C allocation as well as the C turnover were assessed by quantifying 13C in plant leaves and soil respiration and by measuring δ13C in dissolved organic C. A depth‐resolved quantification of 13C in the peat soil gave additional insight into belowground C allocation patterns.ResultsTemperature did not affect the rate at which 13C was assimilated into shoots, but higher temperature decreased the fraction of assimilated C that was allocated belowground by vascular plants. Sedges assimilated CO2 faster into their shoot biomass (faster depletion in 13C in shoots) and allocated more of the assimilated 13C belowground than shrubs. Conversely, sedges retained this belowground allocated C better than shrubs, leading to lower 13C in soil respiration measured under sedges.ConclusionsClimate induced vascular plant expansion will increase input of fresh assimilates into the peat substantially, even though part of this effect will be offset by reduced above‐ to belowground allocation rates. If shrub density increases relative to sedges, fresh assimilates are more likely to be respired than translocated to roots where they could reach and, potentially mobilize, ancient C stored in deeper peat layers.

Radiocarbon Analyses Quantify Peat Carbon Losses With Increasing Temperature in a Whole Ecosystem Warming Experiment

AbstractClimate warming is expected to accelerate peatland degradation and release rates of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Spruce and Peatlands Responses Under Changing Environments is an ecosystem‐scale climate manipulation experiment, designed to examine peatland ecosystem response to climate forcings. We examined whether heating up to +9 °C to 3 m‐deep in a peat bog over a 7‐year period led to higher C turnover and CO2 and CH4 emissions, by measuring 14C of solid peat, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), CH4, and dissolved CO2 (DIC). DOC, a major substrate for heterotrophic respiration, increased significantly with warming. There was no 7‐year trend in the DI14 C of the ambient plots which remained similar to their DO14 C. At +6.75 °C and +9 °C, the 14C of DIC, a product of microbial respiration, initially resembled ambient plots but became more depleted over 7 years of warming. We attributed the shifts in DI14 C to the increasing importance of solid phase peat as a substrate for microbial respiration and quantified this shift via the radiocarbon mass balance. The mass‐balance model revealed increases in peat‐supported respiration of the catotelm depths in heated plots over time and relative to ambient enclosures, from a baseline of 20%–25% in ambient enclosures, to 35%–40% in the heated plots. We find that warming stimulates microorganisms to respire ancient peat C, deposited under prior climate (cooler) conditions. This apparent destabilization of the large peat C reservoir has implications for peatland‐climate feedbacks especially if the balance of the peatland is tipped from net C sink to C source.

Distribution of Germanium in Coals of the Pavlovsk Deposit

The concentration and distribution of germanium in coals from the Spetsugli section of the Pavlovsk brown coal deposit in Primorskii krai was studied using mass spectrometry and laser microanalysis. The maximum concentrations of germanium in low-ash coals were established. The distribution of germanium in the vitrinite group macerals of coals and in mineral impurities was studied. A conclusion on the accumulation of germanium in coals at the stage of ancient peat accumulation was made.

Effect of Multi-Ingredient Preworkout Supplementation on Repeated Sprint Performance in Recreationally Active Men and Women.

Gonzalez, AM, Pinzone, AG, Bram, J, Salisbury, JL, Lee, S, and Mangine, GT. Effect of multi-ingredient preworkout supplementation on repeated sprint performance in recreationally active men and women. J Strength Cond Res 34(4): 918-923, 2020-The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of acute supplementation of a multi-ingredient preworkout supplement (MIPS), containing a proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extracts, creatine monohydrate, taurine, ribose, and magnesium, on sprint cycling performance. Seventeen recreationally active men and women (23.2 ± 5.9 years; 172.9 ± 14.3 cm; 82.4 ± 14.5 kg) underwent 2 testing sessions administered in a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind fashion. Subjects were provided either MIPS or placebo (PL) one hour before performing a sprint cycling protocol, which consisted of ten 5-second "all-out" sprints interspersed by 55 seconds of unloaded pedaling. Average power (PAVG), peak power (PPK), average velocity (VAVG), and distance covered were recorded for each sprint. Separate linear mixed models revealed decrements (p < 0.05) compared to the first sprint in PAVG (75-229 W) and PPK (79-209 W) throughout all consecutive sprints after the initial sprint during PL. Likewise, diminished (p ≤ 0.029) VAVG (3.37-6.36 m·s) and distance covered (7.77-9.00 m) were noted after the third and fifth sprints, respectively, during PL. By contrast, during MIPS, only VAVG decreased (2.34-5.87 m·s, p ≤ 0.002) on consecutive sprints after the first sprint, whereas PAVG and PPK were maintained. In addition, a significant decrease (p = 0.045) in distance covered was only observed on the ninth sprint during MIPS. These data suggest that recreational athletes who consumed the MIPS formulation, one hour before a repeated sprinting session on a cycle ergometer, better maintained performance compared with PL.

Humans are drying out Europe’s ancient peat bogs

Humans are drying out Europe’s ancient peat bogs

Coal facies characteristics and its control on methane content in South Yanchuan Block, Southeast Ordos Basin, China

ABSTRACTThe variability in depositional environments in ancient peat bog and coal facies characteristics was investigated with 29 coal samples from four coalbed methane wells in South Yanchuan Block, Southeast Ordos Basin, China. The control of methane content is described as coal facies parameters and the corresponding measurements of methane content. The results indicated that the depositional environment of ancient peat bog in South Yanchuan Block is primarily a lower delta plain, and a low tissue preservation index (TPI) and high gelification index (GI) are typical features of reservoir’s coal facies, reflecting a deep water depositional environment in ancient peat bog. Compared with the coal facies characteristics of the western area, the coal reservoir in the eastern area displays low GI and high ash content as a result of ancient peat bog’s proximity to sea and source area. Various lateral methane contents are influenced by burial depth, whereas the characteristics of coal facies have a strong control on methane content within the single well in vertical direction. The methane content increases with increase in GI and vitrinite to inertinite ratio (V:I), while there are indistinct relationships between TPI and transportation index with methane content. With high GI and longer distance to sea and source area, the methane content in the western area is higher than that of the eastern area. High desmocollinite content also has a negative influence on methane content.

Succession changes in diversity and assemblages composition of planthoppers and leafhoppers in natural ancient peat bogs in Belarus

Succession has a strong influence on species diversity and composition of terrestrial ecosystems. Peat bogs are among them. They have a large area in Belarus compared to other Central European countries. While in several studies have analyzed the effects of succession on vegetation in peat bog ecosystems, the response of peatland insects to succession has not been investigated yet. To address this issue were sampled Auchenorrhyncha abundance and environmental parameters on the ancient and one of the largest natural peat bog along a successional gradient from the margin to the bog dome. The results provide evidence that succession of peat bogs has influence on planthoppers and leafhoppers abundance, diversity and species composition. Along the successional gradient from younger towards older successional stages an increase abundance of specialized peat bog species, chamebionts, oligophagous and monophagous was observed. On the contrary, the younger stages of natural peat bog succession offer favorable conditions to eurytopic, polyphagous and chortobiont planthoppers and leafhoppers. The highest abundance and species richness of Auchenorrhyncha were in the lagg zone followed by early stages of natural peat bog succession. The highest diversity was in the middle stages of succession. A determinant of Auchenorrhyncha diversity was the cover of ericaceous dwarf shrubs. Linear models shrub cover and number of plants species had a positive effect on planthoppers and leafhoppers diversity and a negative effect on their abundance. Amount of ericaceous dwarf shrubs within the peat bog could be as a measure of heterogeneity.

Ancient peat and apple extracts supplementation may improve strength and power adaptations in resistance trained men.

BackgroundIncreased cellular ATP levels have the potential to enhance athletic performance. A proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extracts has been supposed to increase ATP production. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of this supplement on athletic performance when used during 12 weeks of supervised, periodized resistance training.MethodsTwenty-five healthy, resistance-trained, male subjects completed this study. Subjects supplemented once daily with either 1 serving (150 mg) of a proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extract (TRT) or an equal-volume, visually-identical placebo (PLA) daily. Supervised resistance training consisted of 8 weeks of daily undulating periodized training followed by a 2 week overreach and a 2 week taper phase. Strength was determined using 1-repetition-maximum (1RM) testing in the barbell back squat, bench press (BP), and deadlift exercises. Peak power and peak velocity were determined during BP at 30 % 1RM and vertical jump tests as well as a 30s Wingate test, which also provided relative power (watt:mass)ResultsA group x time interaction was present for squat 1RM, deadlift 1RM, and vertical jump peak power and peak velocity. Squat and deadlift 1RM increased in TRT versus PLA from pre to post. Vertical jump peak velocity increased in TRT versus PLA from pre to week 10 as did vertical jump peak power, which also increased from pre to post. Wingate peak power and watt:mass tended to favor TRT.ConclusionsSupplementing with ancient peat and apple extract while participating in periodized resistance training may enhance performance adaptations.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov registration ID: NCT02819219, retrospectively registered on 6/29/2016

Discussion on the concepts in paleoenvironmental reconstruction from coal macerals and petrographic indices

Organic facies analyses quantify the coal constituents and plot various associations to discriminate the paleoenvironment for coal bearing successions. This allows the relation of coal composition to mire ecosystems or environments. Coal petrographic models are used extensively to reconstruct the nature of ancient peat forming environments. Many authors proposed relations between specific maceral assemblages and/or micro-lithotypes and peat forming environments. The key controlling factors which affect peat environment include hydrogeology, redox, pH, vegetation type, clastic influx, sedimentation and peat accumulation rate etc. Recent advancements in coal maceral study and organic petrology reveal the pros and cons of the available indices and models. The main reasons for the failure of the petrographic models are – oversimplification of the effects of humification on tissue preservation vs. destruction, the use of post-diagenetic processes (e.g. geochemical gelification) in determining depositional environments, changes in petrographic composition related to floral evolution, geological age, rank increase and compaction, lack of distinction between different inertinite maceral in some models. Here the widely used petrographic indices and models are reviewed based on the observations of several workers and the applicability and concepts of paleo-environmental reconstruction are discussed. A multi-disciplinary approach including petrography, palynology, chemistry etc. has been recommended, which is more logical and scientific than the exclusive use of petrographic composition for paleoenvironmental interpretation.

Review on coal petrographic indices and models and their applicability in paleoenvironmental interpretation

Organic facies analyses quantify the coal constituents and plot various associations to discriminate the paleoenvironment for coal bearing successions. This allows the relation of coal composition to mire ecosystems or environments. Coal petrographic models are used extensively to reconstruct the nature of ancient peat forming environments. Many authors proposed relations between specific maceral assemblages and/or micro-lithotypes and peat forming environments. The key controlling factors which affect peat environment include hydrogeology, redox, pH, vegetation type, clastic influx, sedimentation and peat accumulation rate etc. Recent advancements in coal maceral study and organic petrology reveal the pros and cons of the available indices and models. The main reasons for the failure of the petrographic models are–over-simplification of the effects of humification on tissue preservation vs. destruction, the use of post-diagenetic processes (e.g., geochemical gelification) in determining depositional environments, changes in petrographic composition related to floral evolution, geological age, rank increase and compaction, lack of distinction between different inertnite maceral in some models. Here the widely used petrographic indices and models are reviewed based on the observations of several workers and the applicability and concepts of paleo-environmental reconstruction are discussed. A multi-disciplinary approach including petrography, palynology, chemistry etc. has been recommended, which is more logical and scientific than the exclusive use of petrographic composition for paleoenvironmental interpretation.

Twelve weeks supplementation with an extended-release caffeine and ATP-enhancing supplement may improve body composition without affecting hematology in resistance-trained men.

BackgroundIncreased ATP levels may enhance training-induced muscle accretion and fat loss, and caffeine is a known ergogenic aid. A novel supplement containing ancient peat and apple extracts has reported enhanced mitochondrial ATP production and it has been coupled with an extended-release caffeine. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of this supplement on body composition when used in conjunction with 12 weeks of resistance training.MethodsTwenty-one resistance-trained subjects (27.2 ± 5.6y; 173.5 ± 5.7 cm; 82.8 ± 12.0 kg) completed this study. Subjects supplemented daily with either 1 serving of the supplement (TRT), which consisted of 150 mg ancient peat and apple extracts, 180 mg blend of caffeine anhydrous and pterostilbene-bound caffeine, and 38 mg B vitamins, or an equal-volume, visually-identical placebo (PLA) 45 min prior to training or at the same time of day on rest days. Supervised resistance training consisted of 8 weeks of daily undulating periodized training followed by a 2-week overreach and a 2-week taper phase. Body composition was assessed using DEXA and ultrasound at weeks 0, 4, 8, 10, and 12. Vital signs and blood markers were assessed at weeks 0, 8, and 12.ResultsSignificant group x time (p < 0.05) interactions were present for cross-sectional area of the rectus femoris, which increased in TRT (+1.07 cm2) versus PLA (−0.08 cm2), as well as muscle thickness (TRT: +0.49 cm; PLA: +0.04 cm). A significant group x time (p < 0.05) interaction existed for creatinine (TRT: +0.00 mg/dL; PLA: +0.15 mg/dL) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (TRT: −0.70 mL/min/1.73; PLA: −14.6 mL/min/1.73), which remained within clinical ranges, but no other significant observations were observed.ConclusionsSupplementation with a combination of extended-release caffeine and ancient peat and apple extracts may enhance resistance training-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy without adversely affecting blood chemistry.

Supplementation with a proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extract may improve body composition without affecting hematology in resistance-trained men.

Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) is primarily known as a cellular source of energy. Increased ATP levels may have the potential to enhance body composition. A novel, proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extracts has been reported to increase ATP levels, potentially by enhancing mitochondrial ATP production. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the supplement's effects on body composition when consumed during 12 weeks of resistance training. Twenty-five healthy, resistance-trained, male subjects (age, 27.7 ± 4.8 years; height, 176.0 ± 6.5 cm; body mass, 83.2 ± 12.1 kg) completed this study. Subjects supplemented once daily with either 1 serving (150 mg) of a proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extracts (TRT) or placebo (PLA). Supervised resistance training consisted of 8 weeks of daily undulating periodized training followed by a 2-week overreach and a 2-week taper phase. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and ultrasound at weeks 0, 4, 8, 10, and 12. Vital signs and blood markers were assessed at weeks 0, 8, and 12. Significant group × time (p < 0.05) interactions were present for ultrasound-determined cross-sectional area, which increased in TRT (+0.91 cm(2)) versus PLA (-0.08 cm(2)), as well as muscle thickness (TRT: +0.46; PLA: +0.04 cm). A significant group × time (p < 0.05) interaction existed for creatinine (TRT: +0.06; PLA: +0.15 mg/dL), triglycerides (TRT: +24.1; PLA: -20.2 mg/dL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (TRT: +4.9; PLA: -3.9 mg/dL), which remained within clinical ranges. Supplementation with a proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extracts may enhance resistance training-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy without affecting fat mass or blood chemistry in healthy males.

Proxy comparison in ancient peat sediments: pollen, macrofossil and plant DNA.

We compared DNA, pollen and macrofossil data obtained from Weichselian interstadial (age more than 40 kyr) and Holocene (maximum age 8400 cal yr BP) peat sediments from northern Europe and used them to reconstruct contemporary floristic compositions at two sites. The majority of the samples provided plant DNA sequences of good quality with success amplification rates depending on age. DNA and sequencing analysis provided five plant taxa from the older site and nine taxa from the younger site, corresponding to 7% and 15% of the total number of taxa identified by the three proxies together. At both sites, pollen analysis detected the largest (54) and DNA the lowest (10) number of taxa, but five of the DNA taxa were not detected by pollen and macrofossils. The finding of a larger overlap between DNA and pollen than between DNA and macrofossils proxies seems to go against our previous suggestion based on lacustrine sediments that DNA originates principally from plant tissues and less from pollen. At both sites, we also detected Quercus spp. DNA, but few pollen grains were found in the record, and these are normally interpreted as long-distance dispersal. We confirm that in palaeoecological investigations, sedimentary DNA analysis is less comprehensive than classical morphological analysis, but is a complementary and important tool to obtain a more complete picture of past flora.

Sphagnum mosses from 21 ombrotrophic bogs in the athabasca bituminous sands region show no significant atmospheric contamination of "heavy metals".

Sphagnum moss was collected from 21 ombrotrophic (rain-fed) peat bogs surrounding open pit mines and upgrading facilities of Athabasca bituminous sands in Alberta (AB). In comparison to contemporary Sphagnum moss from four bogs in rural locations of southern Germany (DE), the AB mosses yielded lower concentrations of Ag, Cd, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Tl, similar concentrations of Mo, but greater concentrations of Ba, Th, and V. Except for V, in comparison to the "cleanest", ancient peat samples ever tested from the northern hemisphere (ca. 6000-9000 years old), the concentrations of each of these metals in the AB mosses are within a factor of 3 of "natural, background" values. The concentrations of "heavy metals" in the mosses, however, are proportional to the concentration of Th (a conservative, lithophile element) and, therefore, contributed to the plants primarily in the form of mineral dust particles. Vanadium, the single most abundant trace metal in bitumen, is the only anomaly: in the AB mosses, V exceeds that of ancient peat by a factor of 6; it is therefore enriched in the mosses, relative to Th, by a factor of 2. In comparison to the surface layer of peat cores collected in recent years from across Canada, from British Columbia to New Brunswick, the Pb concentrations in the mosses from AB are far lower.

Structure of the sporoderms of fossil spores according to the results of ion etching

The method of ion etching made it possible to observe thin components of the sporoderm (coat) structure of the fossil spores of coal-forming plants under the microscope in reflected light. Channels connecting the sporoderm with the internal parts of spores (cytoplasm), exine material spheroids separated from the coat, and the relief components of the sporoderm surface were detected for the first time. Considerations for the applicability of statistical data on sporoderm thickness and surface relief to the evaluation of the climatic conditions of ancient peat (coal) accumulation and variations in the intensity of ultraviolet radiation from the sun are given.

Berau coal in East Kalimantan; Its petrographics characteristics and depositional environment

To asses the characteristics of the Early to Middle Miocene Berau coal in the Berau Basin, leading to interpretation of coal depositional environments, some fresh outcrop and subcrop samples and also drill cores of the coals have been analyzed microscopically. Coal petrographic analysis was performed on twenty four coal samples from the Middle Miocene Lati Formation. Vitrinite, present in a high value, and ranging between 66.2 96.2%, is dominated by vitrinite B. On the other hand, inertinite and exinite, showing a similar value, exist in a low to moderate amount. Vitrinite reflectance, present in a low value, varies from 0.40 0.58%. Low mineral matter content is dominated by clay minerals (0.4 6.6%) with minor pyrite. Transitions from wet and very wet forested swamps to drier conditions with lower tree density are indicated by the higher content of vitrinite B, whilst a reverse trend is indicated by the lower content of vitrinite A. Petrographic indices obtained from facies diagnostic macerals show that an accumulation of the ancient peats under prevailing relatively wet limited influx clastic marsh to very wet forest swamps or moors is considered. The composition of the coal samples supports the interpretation of a system of fluvial to meandering streams in an upper delta plain environment. The original peat-forming vegetation was composed mainly of cellulose rich, shrub-like plants, tree ferns, herbaceous plant communities, with minor amount of trees. Thereby, the organic facies concept is thus applicable in basin studies context and has potential to become an additional tool for depositional environment interpretation.

Characterization of Fe-S minerals influenced by buried ancient woods in the intertidal zone, East China Sea

14 C dating was discovered in the intertidal zone, East China Sea. Samples affected by ancient woods, including fresh coast bedrock, weathering bedrock, seepage water from coast, seepage water from ancient wood layer, intertidal seawater, fresh water, beach mud, ancient wood barks and ancient peat, were collected for geochemical analysis. The beach mud and the bacteriogenic iron oxides (BIOS) in coastal seepage water were analyzed by min- eralogical and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM)-selected area electron dif- fraction (SAED) analysis. Inorganic sulfur compositions and δ 34 S of the ancient peat and the beach mud were determined. The results showed that Fe, Mn, S (SO4− ) were enriched in the intertidal area at dif- ferent levels, very likely caused by fermentation of ancient woods. The presence of abundant iron- oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in this intertidal zone was confirmed by HRTEM-SAED observation, and these bacteria were involved in Fe-S cycle to induce extracellular biomineralization. The negative δ 34 SV-CDT (−2.9‰) likely indicated the biogenic origin of iron-sulfide minerals in the beach mud at high sulfate reduction rate (SRR). These findings are helpful for under- standing the biogeochemical Fe-S cycle and biomineralization process at high organic matter deposition rate and high SRR in the intertidal zone, estuary, or near shoreline.