Deeper Peat Layers Research Articles

4000 Years of Changing Wetness in a Permafrost Polygon Peatland (Kytalyk, NE Siberia): A Comparative High‐Resolution Multi‐Proxy Study

AbstractIce‐wedge polygon mires feature a micro‐relief of dry ridges, shallow wet depressions, deeper wet troughs and transitional sites, resulting in a local mosaic of vegetation. The correct recognition of these landscape elements in palaeoecological studies of peat sections requires insight about the suitability of proxies and their potential for palaeoecological reconstruction in order to reconstruct vegetation and wetness patterns as well as dynamics. This paper analyses a 105.5 cm long peat section with a base dating to about 4000 cal yr BP from an ice‐wedge polygon mire near Kytalyk (NE Siberia). Pollen, macrofossils, testate amoebae, geochemistry and sediment properties were analysed in order to compare the suitability of these proxies to reconstruct past surface wetness. The proxies show similar wetness trends. Pollen and geochemistry data did not always permit wetness reconstruction, the former because many pollen types do not allow the identification of taxa at a low taxonomic resolution, the latter because later taphonomic processes modify chemical variables in deeper peat layers. Macrofossils provided the most detailed wetness reconstruction, because they could be identified to genera or species, for which the moisture requirements are accurately known from their present‐day distribution in ice‐wedge polygons. All proxies, except geochemistry, show an obvious change from wet to dry conditions at around 20 cm depth. However, as the proxies sometimes show contradictory results, a multi‐proxy approach is preferable over a single proxy interpretation as it allows the reconstruction of environmental development in a broader palaeoecological context. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Metabolic potential of fatty acid oxidation and anaerobic respiration by abundant members of Thaumarchaeota and Thermoplasmata in deep anoxic peat.

To probe the metabolic potential of abundant Archaea in boreal peats, we reconstructed two near-complete archaeal genomes, affiliated with Thaumarchaeota group 1.1c (bin Fn1, 8% abundance), which was a genomically unrepresented group, and Thermoplasmata (bin Bg1, 26% abundance), from metagenomic data acquired from deep anoxic peat layers. Each of the near-complete genomes encodes the potential to degrade long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) via β-oxidation. Fn1 has the potential to oxidize LCFA either by syntrophic interaction with methanogens or by coupling oxidation with anaerobic respiration using fumarate as a terminal electron acceptor (TEA). Fn1 is the first Thaumarchaeota genome without an identifiable carbon fixation pathway, indicating that this mesophilic phylum encompasses more diverse metabolisms than previously thought. Furthermore, we report genetic evidence suggestive of sulfite and/or organosulfonate reduction by Thermoplasmata Bg1. In deep peat, inorganic TEAs are often depleted to extremely low levels, yet the anaerobic respiration predicted for two abundant archaeal members suggests organic electron acceptors such as fumarate and organosulfonate (enriched in humic substances) may be important for respiration and C mineralization in peatlands.

Simulation of large-scale deformation of ultra-soft peaty ground under test embankment loading and investigation of effective countermeasures against residual settlement and failure

The construction of a test embankment on ultra-soft ground containing an approximately 50-m-deep soft peat layer with N-values of 0 to 1 did not result in catastrophic slip failure during construction but did cause substantial deformation of the adjacent ground. In addition, large-scale settlement in excess of 11m occurred in the approximately 3 years following embankment construction. Based on field observations, it became evident that this large settlement was attributable to delayed compression of the deep peat layer, which was assumed at the design stage not to be subject to settlement. Based on laboratory tests and site investigations, it was deduced that due to depositions under continuous artesian conditions, this peat layer had an extremely low consolidation yield stress and was in a state such that even a slight increase in stress would result in large-scale compression. After confirming the ability of the analysis code based on soil–water coupled finite deformation theory, which included an elasto-plastic constitutive equation describing the behavior of the soil skeleton, to reproduce the observed ground behavior, the code was used to predict future settlement. These simulations were then used to evaluate the effectiveness of countermeasures aimed not only at improving stability during construction, but also at reducing residual settlement. The results of these analyses were applied in the planning of large-scale repair work performed on the test embankment. Also, when an embankment was subsequently constructed near the test embankment on similar ultra-soft ground, ground improvements were conducted prior to embankment construction as a countermeasure against residual settlement. In this paper, valuable field data related to these latter construction efforts is also presented.

Carbon budget of drained peat bogs in Ukrainian Polesie

Methodological aspects of studying the organic carbon budget of drained peat bogs used in agriculture are discussed. Difficulties in the assessment of carbon budget on the basis of measured carbon inflows and outflows are shown. The “soil pool” model of the carbon budget is suggested. It is based on the results of long-term experimental studies of a drained peatland in Ukrainian Polesie. An algorithm for calculating the carbon budget in the aerated part of the peatland—the peat soil proper—is developed with due account for a gradual involvement of the deep peat layers into the zone of soil processes. Data on the loss of dry peat mass and organic carbon per in the course of peat mineralization and surface subsidence are given with due account for the nature of the peatland and the duration of its agricultural use.

Short period of oxygenation releases latch on peat decomposition

Extreme summer droughts are expected to occur more often in the future in NW Europe due to climate change. These droughts might accelerate the rate of peat oxidation in drained peat areas, with impacts on soil subsidence, GHG emission and water quality. This study aimed at providing more insight in the oxidation of deep peat layers that had not previously been exposed to air, the so-called secondary decomposition.We incubated two types of peat (eutrophic and oligotrophic), sampled from permanently anoxic peat layers from nature reserves and agricultural peat meadows. Peat samples were incubated for thirteen weeks under anoxic conditions, but were exposed to air for one to eight weeks. The production of CO2 and CH4 was quantified as a proxy for decomposition; concentrations of soluble nutrients and phenolic compounds were also measured.The results showed that oxygenation led to a steep increase in the rate of decomposition, indicated by higher carbon loss rates during and after oxygenation compared to non-oxygenated samples. Carbon loss rates increased more for eutrophic peat (agricultural area: 352%, nature reserve: 182%) than for oligotrophic peat (83% and 159% respectively). Most peat samples investigated showed higher post-oxygenation CO2 and/or CH4 production compared to the anoxic pre-oxygenation period. This indicates that oxygenation stimulates decomposition, even after anoxic conditions have returned. Contrary to the enzymic latch theory, no effects of oxygenation on the concentrations of soluble or condensed phenolic compounds were detected. Soluble nutrient concentrations did not change due to oxygenation either. Noteworthy is the occurrence of pyrite mineralization and associated acidification in eutrophic peat. Thus, low summer water levels, for example due to climate change, should be avoided in order to limit exceptionally high decomposition rates and associated problems such as increasing subsidence rates, greenhouse gas emission, sulfate release and acidification.

Oxidation of Organosulfur-Coordinated Arsenic and Realgar in Peat: Implications for the Fate of Arsenic

Organosulfur-coordinated As(III) and realgar (α-As4S4) have been identified as the dominant As species in the naturally As-enriched minerotrophic peatland Gola di Lago, Switzerland. In this study, we explored their oxidation kinetics in peat exposed to atmospheric O2 for up to 180 days under sterile and nonsterile conditions (25 °C, ∼ 100% relative humidity). Anoxic peat samples were collected from a near-surface (0-38 cm) and a deep peat layer (200-250 cm) and studied by bulk As, Fe, and S K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy as well as selective extractions as a function of time. Over 180 days, only up to 33% of organosulfur-coordinated As(III) and 44% of realgar were oxidized, corresponding to half-life times, t1/2, of 312 and 215 days, respectively. The oxidation of both As species was mainly controlled by abiotic processes. Realgar was oxidized orders of magnitude slower than predicted from published mixed-flow reactor experiments, indicating that mass-transfer processes were rate-limiting. Most of the As released (>97%) was sequestered by Fe(III)-(hydr)oxides. However, water-extractable As reached concentrations of 0.7-19 μmol As L(-1), exceeding the WHO drinking water limit by up to 145 times. Only a fraction (20-36%) of reduced S(-II to I) was sensitive to oxidation and was oxidized faster (t1/2 = 50-173 days) than organosulfur-coordinated As(III) and realgar, suggesting a rapid loss of reactive As-sequestering S species following a drop in the water table. Our results imply that wetlands like Gola di Lago can serve as long-term sources for As under prolonged oxidizing conditions. The maintenance of reducing conditions is thus regarded as the primary strategy in the management of this and other As-rich peatlands.

Spatial Distribution and Speciation of Arsenic in Peat Studied with Microfocused X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

Arsenic binding by sulfhydryl groups of natural organic matter (NOM) was recently identified as an important As sequestration pathway in the naturally As-enriched minerotrophic peatland Gola di Lago, Switzerland. Here, we explore the microscale distribution, elemental correlations, and chemical speciation of As in the Gola di Lago peat. Thin sections of undisturbed peat samples from 0-37 cm and 200-249 cm depth were analyzed by synchrotron microfocused X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) spectrometry and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (μ-XAS). Additionally, peat samples were studied by bulk As, Fe, and S K-edge XAS. Micro-XRF analyses showed that As in the near-surface peat was mainly concentrated in 10-50 μm sized hotspots, identified by μ-XAS as realgar (α-As4S4). In the deep peat layer samples, however, As was more diffusely distributed and mostly associated with particulate NOM of varying decomposition stages. The NOM-associated As was present as trivalent As bound by sulfhydryl groups. Arsenopyrite (FeAsS) and arsenian pyrite (FeAsxS2-x) of <25 μm size, which have escaped detection by bulk As and Fe K-edge XAS, were found as minor As species in the peat. Bulk S K-edge XAS revealed that the deep peat layers were significantly enriched in reduced organic S species. Our findings suggest an authigenic formation of realgar and arsenopyrite in strongly reducing microenvironments of the peat and indicate that As(III)-NOM complexes are formed by the passive sorption of As(III) to NOM. This reaction appears to be favored by a combination of abundant reduced organic S and comparatively low As solution concentrations preventing the formation of secondary As-bearing sulfides.

Effects of experimental drying intensity and duration on respiration and methane production recovery in fen peat incubations

Drying and rewetting to a variable extent influence the C gas exchange between peat soils and the atmosphere. We incubated a decomposed and compacted fen peat and investigated in two experiments 1) the vertical distribution of CO2 and CH4 production rates and their response to drying and 2) the effects of temperature, drying intensity and duration on CO2 production rates and on CH4 production recovery after rewetting. Surface peat down to 5 cm contributed up to 67% (CO2) and above 80% (CH4) of the depth-aggregated (50 cm) production. As CO2 production sharply decreased with depth water table fluctuations in deeper peat layers are thus not expected to cause a substantial increase in soil respiration in this site. Compared to anaerobic water saturated conditions drying increased peat CO2 production by a factor between 1.4 and 2.1. Regarding the effects of the studied factors, warmer conditions increased and prolonged drying duration decreased CO2 production whereas the soil moisture level had little influence. No significant interactions among factors were found. Short dry events under warmer conditions are likely to result in greatest peaks of CO2 production rates. Upon rewetting, CH4 production was monitored over time and the recovery was standardized to pre-drying levels to compare the treatment effects. Methane production increased non-linearly over time and all factors (temperature, drying intensity and duration) influenced the pattern of post-drying CH4 production. Peat undergoing more intense and longer drying events required a longer lag time before substantial CH4 production occurred and warmer conditions appeared to speed up the process.

Spatiotemporal variations in the abundances of the prokaryotic rRNA genes, pmoA, and mcrA in the deep layers of a peat bog in Sarobetsu-genya wetland, Japan

Spatiotemporal variations in microbial gene abundances were investigated to identify potential zones of methanotroph and methanogen biomass in a peat bog in Sarobetsu-genya wetland. The abundances of the bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes, pmoA, and mcrA were 107–109, 107–108, 104–106, and 104–107 copies g−1 dry peat, respectively. Correlation analysis based on microbial gene abundances and environmental factors showed that the spatiotemporal distributions of the abundances of the four microbial genes in peat layers were similar. The mcrA abundance showed a significant negative correlation with the dissolved organic carbon content and a significant positive correlation with the peat temperature. The pmoA abundance was not detectable during the spring thaw when the lowest peat temperature at a depth of 50 cm was recorded. At a depth of 200 cm, the peat temperature exceeded 6°C throughout the year, and the mcrA abundance exceeded 104 copies g−1 dry peat. These results indicate that the seasonal microbial activity related to methane should be evaluated in not only the shallow but also the deep peat layers in order to elucidate the methane dynamics in boreal wetlands.

Prediction of long-term changes in ecosystem functions of a peatland site with the semi-quantitative decision support system PMDSS

For implementation of sustainable land use strategies in Europe tools for evaluating long-term changes of peatland functions are essential. Therefore a semi-quantitative peatland management decision support system for agricultural used peatlands in Europe was developed. It is called Peatland Management Decision Support System (PMDSS). The aim of the tool is to better understand and to forecast long-term processes in peatland ecosystems in order to help scientists, water boards and environmental agencies in decision making about long-term management. PMDSS is based on derived indicators of ecosystem functions of peatlands, which are: harvest of plant products, land use category, mean summer water table (MSWT), nitrogen discharge, Global Warming Potential (GWP) and conservation value of plants. PMDSS is realized as an easy to use spreadsheet program in Excel. The model is one-dimensional and applicable for a site or field, where the input parameters, particularly land use category, vegetation type and MSWT are relatively homogenous. It is running with annual intervals and for a time span of 100 years (vegetation 50 years). Results are presented as values, text and diagrams. PMDSS is accessible via internet. PMDSS was applied to sites in several European countries. A case study in the Eider Valley peatland is presented, which is typical for Weichselian landscapes of northwest Germany. The site has a deep peat layer and is mainly influenced by groundwater discharge. It was used as a meadow and pasture during the past centuries and is left abandoned since the mid 1990s. Effects of different land use and water management scenarios onto the development of the site are determined. The scenarios are typical for peatland sites in northwest Germany and northwest Europe. Results are plausible as a rough estimate of magnitude and development trend.

Vegetation analyses of Sebangau peat swamp forest, Central Kalimantan

Mirmanto E (2010) Vegetation analyses of Sebangau peat swamp forest, Central Kalimantan. Biodiversitas 11: 82-88. The vegetation analysis study has been made in Sebangau peat-swamp forest, Central Kalimantan. Eight permanent plots of 50-m x 50-m were set-up distribute from close to the river with shallow peat-layer up to the inland with relatively deep peat-layer. Enumeration of trees (GBH &gt; 15 cm) was conducted in all of 8 plots. Overall there are 133 species (taxa) were recorded within 8 plots belong to 34 families where Dipterocarpaceae, Clusiaceae, Myrtaceae and Sapotaceae were the most dominant family. Out of all species recorded, Combretocarpus rotundatus, Palaquium leiocarpum, Stemonurus scorpioides and Tristania whittiana were the most dominant species. Two community’s types namely Combretocarpus rotundatus-Shorea balangeran community and Palaquium leiocarpum-Eugenia densinervium communitywere recognized and they distributed in slightly different habitat condition. The sequence of these two communities’ shows significantly related to both distances to river and peat-depth. In addition there was indication the presence of habitat preference among tree species.Key words: vegetation, peat-swamp, community, Sebangau, Central Kalimantan

Nutritional niche separation in coexisting bog species demonstrated by 15N‐enriched simulated rainfall

Abstract Empodisma minus and Sporadanthus ferrugineus (both Restionaceae) coexist in New Zealand raised bogs, yet Sporadanthus have significantly more depleted 15N natural abundance signatures than coexisting Empodisma. Their root systems are spatially separated with Empodisma having a thick surface layer of about 50 mm of cluster roots overlying the deeper Sporadanthus roots. We hypothesized this root displacement allows Empodisma to preferentially access the primary N input from rainfall, thus establishing niche separation, and tested this using tracer stable isotopes. We aerially applied 1.6 mmol m−2 of 15N as (NH4)2SO4 chased by deionized water to simulate a rainfall event of 34 L m−2. Root/peat matrix cores were harvested after 5 h and analysed for 15N uptake. Approximately 80% of the tracer applied was recovered in the cores, with 90% of this recovered in the upper Empodisma cluster root layer. Seven weeks after application, young shoots of Empodisma were significantly enriched (mean δ15N = +7.21‰; reference = −0.42‰), whereas those of coexisting Sporadanthus were not (mean δ15N = −2.76‰; reference = −4.24‰). However, we were unable to quantify the 15N uptake because of the dilution effect of the large biomass. We calculated the contribution of biological nitrogen fixation as a possible alternative source of N in achieving niche separation. The acetylene reduction assay showed minor amounts of nitrogenase activity are associated with Empodisma and Sporadanthus roots (equivalent to 0.045 ± 0.019 and 0.104 ± 0.017 kg N ha−1 year−1 respectively). Our results suggest that the species acquire nutrients from different rooting zones, with Empodisma accessing nutrients at the surface from rainfall and Sporadanthus accessing nutrients from mineralization in deeper peat layers. Such niche differentiation probably facilitates species coexistence and may provide a mechanism for slowing the rate of competitive displacement during long‐term succession.

Recent Peat Fire Activity in the Mega Rice Project Area, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

The original objective of theMega Rice Project (MRP) in CentralKalimantan, Indonesia – to convert onemillion hectares of tropical swamp forest to paddy fields – instead produced large areas of abandoned farmland with bare peat subject to frequent fires. To understand how peat fire occurrence is related to drought, we analyzed 1997 to 2007 United States Department Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hotspot data, sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, and weather data. We found that peat fire activity was proportional to drought severity as determined by SST anomalies, and that peat fires – the number of hotspots – correlated strongly with SST anomalies, implying that MRP area peat fires are related to peat dryness. Surface fires start when ground water levels (GWL) are about 20 cm below the ground surface, and hundreds of such fires can occur with deeper GWL. A detailed and precise hotspot distribution map showed that large MRP areas (Blocks A and C) located on deep peat layers have high fire density due to ongoing human disturbance, classifying MRP area peat fires as a man-made disaster.

Near‐zero recent carbon accumulation in a bog with high nitrogen deposition in SW Sweden

AbstractWe present data on the accumulation of carbon and nitrogen into an open oceanic ombrotrophic bog, SW Sweden, with high levels of anthropogenic nitrogen deposition. The aim was to investigate if this peatland currently acts as a sink for atmospheric carbon. Peat cores were sampled from the top peat layer in five different vegetation types. Small pines were used to date the cores. The cores bulk density and carbon and nitrogen content were determined. A vegetation‐classified satellite image was used to estimate the areal extent of the vegetation types and to scale up these results to bog level. The rate of current carbon input into the upper oxic acrotelm was 290 g m−2 yr−1, and there were no significant differences in accumulation rates among the vegetation types. This organic matter input to the acrotelm was almost completely decomposed before it was deposited for storage in the deeper peat layers (the catotelm) and only a small fraction (≪1%) or 0.012 g m−2 yr−1 of the carbon would be left, assuming a residence time of 100 years in the acrotelm. Nitrogen accumulation rates differed between the vegetation classes, and the average input via primary production varied from 5.33 to 16.8 g m−2 yr−1. Current nitrogen input rates into the catotelm are much lower, 0–0.059 g m−2 yr−1, with the highest accumulation rates in lawn‐dominated communities. We suggest that one of the main causes of the low carbon input rates is the high level of nitrogen deposition, which enhances decomposition and changes the vegetation from peat‐forming Sphagnum‐dominance to dominance by dwarf shrubs and graminoids.

Spatial Distribution of Natural Enrichments of Arsenic, Selenium, and Uranium in a Minerotrophic Peatland, Gola di Lago, Canton Ticino, Switzerland

Gola di Lago is a small (ca. 3 ha), minerotrophic peatland in Canton Ticino, southern Switzerland. Chemical analyses of peat show remarkable concentrations of As, Se, and U. Coring at regular intervals (19 sites) revealed several zones of pronounced accumulation, with As concentrations up to 350 mg kg(-1) (2000 mg kg(-1) on a mineral matter basis). Both Fe and S are also enriched at this depth, suggesting that redox-related transformations have affected all three elements. High concentrations of Se (up to 28 mg kg(-1)) and U (up to 470 mg kg(-1)) were also detected, representing on a mineral matter basis 350 and 2900 mg kg(-1), respectively. An intermittent stream entering the peatland contained up to 400 microg of As L(-1), but the permanent stream leaving the mire contains <2 microg L(-1). A three-dimensional map of the spatial distribution of As shows that the main source of As is the intermittent stream and not the basal, mineral sediment underlying the peatland. Arsenic is highly enriched not only in shallow peat layers at the interface between the stream and peatland today but also in deeper peat layers in the center of the mire, at what must have been the stream-peat interface in the past. By sequential extraction of fresh peat samples, 100% of the As could be extracted from a shallow sample but only 19% from a sample taken from the deeper layers. In both cases, most of the As was associated with the organic matter fraction (73% and 57% respectively). Although this peatland is an effective geochemical trap for As in the stream waters, the mechanisms of removal remain unclear.

Impact of Land Drainage on Peatland Hydrology

There is a long history of drainage of blanket peat but few studies of the long-term hydrological impact of drainage. This paper aims to test differences in runoff production processes between intact and drained blanket peat catchments and determine whether there have been any long-term changes in stream flow since drainage occurred. Hillslope runoff processes and stream discharge were measured in four blanket peat catchments. Two catchments were drained with open-cut ditches in the 1950s. Ditching originally resulted in shorter lag times and flashier storm hydrographs but no change in the annual catchment runoff efficiency. In the period between 2002 and 2004, the hydrographs in the drained catchments, while still flashy, were less sensitive to rainfall than in the 1950s and the runoff efficiency had significantly increased. Drains resulted in a distinctive spatial pattern of runoff production across the slopes. Overland flow was significantly lower in the drained catchments where throughflow was more dominant. In the intact peatlands, matrix throughflow produced by peat layers below 10 cm was rare and produced <1% of the runoff. However, in drained peatlands, matrix throughflow in deeper peat layers was common and provided around 23% of the runoff from gauged plots. Macropore flow, the density of soil piping, and pipeflow were significantly greater in drained peatlands than in intact basins. Gradual changes to peat structure could explain the long-term changes in river flow, which are in addition to those occurring in the immediate aftermath of peatland drainage.

Methanogen Communities in a Drained Bog: Effect of Ash Fertilization

Forestry practises such has drainage have been shown to decrease emissions of the greenhouse gas methane (CH(4)) from peatlands. The aim of the study was to examine the methanogen populations in a drained bog in northern Finland, and to assess the possible effect of ash fertilization on potential methane production and methanogen communities. Peat samples were collected from control and ash fertilized (15,000 kg/ha) plots 5 years after ash application, and potential CH(4) production was measured. The methanogen community structure was studied by DNA isolation, PCR amplification of the methyl coenzyme-M reductase (mcr) gene, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The drained peatland showed low potential methane production and methanogen diversity in both control and ash-fertilized plots. Samples from both upper and deeper layers of peat were dominated by three groups of sequences related to Rice cluster-I hydrogenotroph methanogens. Even though pH was marginally greater in the ash-treated site, the occurrence of those sequences was not affected by ash fertilization. Interestingly, a less common group of sequences, related to the Fen cluster, were found only in the fertilized plots. The study confirmed the depth related change of methanogen populations in peatland.

Chronologies for Recent Peat Deposits Using Wiggle-Matched Radiocarbon Ages: Problems with Old Carbon Contamination

Dating sediments which have accumulated over the last few hundred years is critical to the calibration of longer-term paleoclimate records with instrumental climate data. We attempted to use wiggle-matched radiocarbon ages to date 2 peat profiles from northern England which have high-resolution records of paleomoisture variability over the last ∼300 yr. A total of 6514C accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurements were made on 33 macrofossil samples. A number of the age estimates were older than expected and some of the oldest ages occurred in the upper parts of the sequence, which had been dated to the late 19th and early 20th century using other techniques. We suggest that the older14C ages are the result of contamination by industrial pollution. Based on counts of spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs), the potential aging effect for SCP carbon was calculated and shown to be appreciable for samples from the early 20th century. Ages corrected for this effect were still too old in some cases, which could be a result of fossil CO2fixation, non-SCP particulate carbon, contamination due to imperfect cleaning of samples, or the “reservoir effect” from fixation of fossil carbon emanating from deeper peat layers. Wiggle matches based on the overall shape of the depth-14C relationship and the14C minima in the calibration curve could still be identified. These were tested against other age estimates (210Pb, pollen, and SCPs) to provide new age-depth models for the profiles. New approaches are needed to measure the impact of industrially derived carbon on recent sediment ages to provide more secure chronologies over the last few hundred years.

Significance of rooting depth in mire plants: Evidence from natural 15N abundance

Variation in stable nitrogen isotope ratios (δ15N) was assessed for plants comprising two wetland communities, a bog‐fen system and a flood plain, in central Japan. δ15N of 12 species from the bog‐fen system and six species from the flood plain were remarkably variable, ranging from −5.9 to +1.1‰ and from +3.1 to +8.7‰, respectively. Phragmites australis exhibited the highest δ15N value at both sites. Rooting depth also differed greatly with plant species, ranging from 5 cm to over 200 cm in the bog‐fen system. There was a tendency for plants having deeper root systems to exhibit higher δ15N values; plant δ15N was positively associated with rooting depth. Moreover, an increasing gradient of peat δ15N was found along with depth. This evidence, together with the fact that inorganic nitrogen was depleted under a deep‐rooted Phragmites australis stand, strongly suggests that deep‐rooted plants actually absorb nitrogen from the deep peat layer. Thus, we successfully demonstrated the diverse traits of nitrogen nutrition among mire plants using stable isotope analysis. The ecological significance of deep rooting in mire plants is that it enables those plants to monopolize nutrients in deep substratum layers. This advantage should compensate for any consequential structural and/or physiological costs. Good evidence of the benefits of deep rooting is provided by the fact that Phragmites australis dominates as a tall mire grass.

Laboratory experiments on drought and runoff in blanket peat

SummaryGlobal warming might change the hydrology of upland blanket peats in Britain. We have therefore studied in laboratory experiments the impact of drought on peat from the North Pennines of the UK. Runoff was dominated by surface and near‐surface flow; flow decreased rapidly with depth and differed from one type of cover to another. Infiltration depended on the intensity of rain, and runoff responded rapidly to rain, with around 50% of rainwater emerging as overland flow. Drought changed the structure of the peat and the subsequent behaviour of the peat in response to rain. Surface runoff was reduced, infiltration increased and flow increased within the deeper peat layers. Old and new water produced from the peat during simulated storms was identified by bromide tracing; the amount of old mobile water flushed out of the top few centimetres was small and there was less from deeper peat layers. No significant difference in the old and new water mixing processes could be identified between the control plots and the drought treatment plots. Lissamine staining showed preferential bypass flow through macropores in the peat, though only in the top 5 cm. Following drought, however, macroporosity increased within the upper peat layers, and preferential flow extended deeper than in controls. Peat structure recovered somewhat after drought, but the effects of the drought were long‐lasting. If these effects extend to the field during drier summers then we can expect changes to the hydrology and associated chemistry of blanket peat catchments in the British uplands.