Peat Formation Research Articles

On the Scaling of Transport Phenomena at a Monotonously Changing Hydraulic Conductivity Field

Monotonously stratified porous medium, where the layered medium changes its hydraulic conductivity with depth, is present in various systems like tilled soil and peat formation. In this study, the flow pattern within a monotonously stratified porous medium is explored by deriving a non-dimensional number, Fhp, from the macroscopic Darcian-based flow equation. The derived Fhp theoretically classifies the flow equation to be hyperbolic or parabolic, according to the hydraulic head gradient length scale, and the hydraulic conductivity slope and mean. This flow classification is explored numerically, while its effect on the transport is explored by Lagrangian particle tracking (LPT). The numerical simulations show the transition from hyperbolic to parabolic flow, which manifests in the LPT transition from advective to dispersive transport. This classification is also applied to an interpolation of tilled soil from the literature, showing that, indeed, there is a transition in the transport. These results indicate that in a monotonously stratified porous medium, very low conducting (impervious) formations may still allow unexpected contamination leakage, specifically for the parabolic case. This classification of the Fhp to the flow and transport pattern provides additional insight without solving the flow or transport equation only by knowing the hydraulic conductivity distribution.

Plug method allows measurement of apical and lateral growth of fen brown mosses

ABSTRACT Introduction: A reliable method for measuring brown moss production helps us to understand the functioning of fen peatlands and to quantify their peat formation rate. However, traditional methods based on height increment are not suitable for measuring the growth rate of brown mosses with numerous lateral branches. Methods: The growth rate of common brown moss species in temperate and boreal fens was measured using two methods: (i) the marking method – a moss shoot was marked with oil paint and its growth increment measured from the mark (in the laboratory and in the field); and (ii) the plug method – a fragment of a moss colony was ‘plugged' (i.e. cored), weighed and replanted in a small basket for a year, then weighed again; a similar and bottomless basket was fixed in the moss colony as a control. Key results and discussion: Despite promising laboratory results, the marking method gave low shoot survival in the field, probably due to the restriction of external water transport along the shoots. No differences in shoot elongation were found between the plug method and the control. The plug method comprises the measurement of both apical and lateral growth, and the authors of the present study therefore recommend it for measuring the growth of brown mosses with numerous lateral branches. Considering only the elongation of the top shoots leads to an underestimation of growth by 50% and consequently to an underestimation of the peat-forming potential of brown mosses.

Climate-driven peatlands development and vegetation dynamics in Northeastern China since the mid-Holocene: New evidence from Huanan peatlands

Studying peatland evolution and vegetation patterns in response to climate change provides valuable insights into future ecosystem trends. This study focuses on the Huanan peatland located in Changbai Mountain regions in Northeast China, utilizing phytolith analysis and stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) to reconstruct late Holocene vegetation dynamics. Additionally, grain size, total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN) analyses were conducted to understand peatland development and paleoclimate since the late Holocene. The research identifies three distinct climate periods since 5500 cal yr BP: an initial warm, humid phase (5500–4000 cal yr BP) characterized by high river levels that formed lacustrine sediments; a subsequent transition to cold, dry conditions (4000–1500 cal yr BP) that initiated peat formation; and continued dry, cold conditions (1500 cal yr BP to the present) with sustained peat growth. Phytolith data reveal a dominant forest vegetation type since 2000 cal yr BP, further divided into three periods: 2000–1300 cal yr BP, marked by diverse and dense vegetation; 1300–750 cal yr BP, with declining plant cover; and 750 cal yr BP to the present, characterized by an increase in woody plants but a reduction in local grass cover.

From paleolake to peatland: Paleo environmental changes over glacial and interglacial cycles (Mid-Pleistocene) in the Colônia Basin, Brazil

Diatom and geochemical elements were used to analyze the transition from lake to peatland in the Colônia basin, São Paulo, Brazil; local versus regional driving factors were examined. Sediment core COL17–1, section 1470–800 cm depth shows five distinct diatom intervals offering insights into environmental changes and ecological characteristics based on sediment sources, diatom productivity, and bog wetness. Colônia basin evolution exhibited a progressive transition from mineral elements, associated with catchment instability during the lake stage, to higher levels of organic-rich sediments towards the uppermost section of the core. This shift was accompanied by the increasing presence of elements reflecting redox/productivity dynamics under changing conditions. Simultaneously, Br concentrations increased during peat formation indicating alterations in organic matter were influenced by atmospheric circulation and precipitation. During the transition from lake to peatland, the paleolake shallowing process showed successive colonization by benthic acidophilus diatom taxa, indicating a broader littoral zone and subsequent disappearance of diatoms under dry conditions. After a benthic stage, the diatom content shifted to one of planktonic dominance characterized by Aulacoseira sp., marking the return to cold-wet conditions and a moderately deep, flooded environment. Subsequently, the basin evolved into a completely flooded, turbulent peatland dominated by the Aulacoseira granulata complex. An uppermost layer sterile in diatom was associated with warmer and drier conditions and decrease in the concentration of mineral elements. Present results compared with core CO14 and Lake Titicaca showed benthic-rich levels during the penultimate glacial period and low benthic abundances. This differed the glacial-interglacial transition from those of COL17–1, which was dominated by planktonic-rich levels, suggesting the need for either a reassessment of our age model or the influence of local factors on diatom content. These findings highlight the sensitivity of diatoms to climate shifts, particularly in tropical regions, across different glacial-interglacial cycles.

Soil Formation on Loamy Deposits in Technogenic Landscapes of the Taiga Zone in the North-Eastern Part of European Russia

The paper highlights the influence of moisture on the soil formation process on loamy deposits during the primary vegetation succession. The study was carried out in the north-eastern part of European Russia (Komi Republic) in the middle taiga subzone. The authors analyzed young soils on the territory of a quarry for extraction of loamy grounds and background soils in the vicinity of it. Planting the Siberian spruce cultures on the territory of the quarry activated formation of the tree layer and thereby accelerated formation of the zonal type soils. The third succession decade in drained conditions saw formation of organic soil horizons (litters), a decrease in soil density in the upper profile part, a tendency to redistribute and differentiate the silty fraction by one-and-a-half oxides, indicating the beginning of selective podzolization. The rise in soil moisture content increased conservation of organic residues (peat formation) and made gley formation active. The quarry soils, like background soils, increased in acidity, carbon and nitrogen reserves along with the soil moisture content increase. In automorphic soil formation conditions, the rate of organic carbon accumulation in the upper 0–20-cm layer is 0.4 t· ha–1·year1; the excessive soil moisture content further increased it (1.0–1.2 t·ha–1·year1). The reserves of Corg in the upper 20-cm soil layer of young soils are by 2–4 times less than those in background soils.

Lateglacial and Holocene palaeoenvironmental evolution of alkaline peatlands in the Somme valley (France): between climate and anthropogenic forcing

As in most chalk river valleys in NW Europe, the sedimentary fill of the Somme valley is mainly composed of fluviogenic alkaline peat. The site of Morcourt exhibits a thick and well‐preserved fluvial sequence (10 m, including 6 m of peat). This sequence provides the framework for reconstructing fluvial and palaeoenvironmental dynamics from the end of the Upper Weichselian Pleniglacial (~20 000 cal. a BP) to the High Middle Ages (~700 cal. a BP). The palaeoenvironmental reconstruction is based on a high‐resolution stratigraphic study of 60 transect cores, 36 radiocarbon dates and sedimentological, geochemical, pollen and plant macrofossil analyses. There are three main phases in the development of the valley floor: (i) after the incision of the abandoned Pleniglacial braided river channels, a first generation of localized peat developed during the Bølling and the Allerød interstadial (<1 m thick); (ii) at the beginning of the Holocene, a peat formation phase began in the deepest parts of the valley and then spread over the valley floor by the end of the Middle Holocene (~4700 cal. a BP), with the limited runoff shifting to a small lateral channel; and (iii) at the transition to the Late Holocene, environmental changes, driven by the intensification of human activities and perhaps accentuated by climatic modifications, caused the incision of the peat system as a result of the formation of a channel. This channel drained the valley, and then mixed a detrital load into the peat. By the Low Middle Ages, the system had been altered to such an extent that the peat was completely covered by organic silty alluvium. The water table was lower, which definitively inhibited peat formation. The Morcourt sedimentary record (thickness and continuity) and the resumption of turfigenesis during the Late Holocene are remarkable in NW Europe, making this site a model of continuous morpho‐fluvial evolution since the Lateglacial.

Pigment Complex, Growth and Chemical Composition Traits of Boreal Sphagnum Mosses (Mire System "Ilasskoe", North-West of European Russia).

Sphagnum mosses play a significant role in peat formation and carbon sequestration in mire ecosystems. It is critical to investigate the productivity and chemical composition of different Sphagnum species in order to assess their role in the global carbon cycle and potential in light of climate change. The data on productivity and growth characteristics during the growing season, group chemical composition and elemental composition at the beginning and end of the growing season, as well as aspects of the pigment complex operation, were collected for four Sphagnum species: Sphagnum lindbergii Schimp., S. fuscum (Schimp.) Klinggr., S. divinum Flatberg & K. Hassel, and S. squarrosum Crome. High cover density and productivity, low ability to decompose, and constancy of the pigment complex of S. fuscum reflect a high degree of adaptation to the specific conditions of ridges. A constant chemical composition of S. lindbergii during the growing season can be explained by stable conditions of hollows that allow it to maintain its metabolic processes, but the light conditions in hollows bring the reaction of the pigment apparatus of this species closer to shaded S. divinum and S. squarrosum. S. lindbergii and S. squarrosum contain more nitrogen than other species and have a greater ability to decompose.

Evolution of Sequence Stratigraphy and Paleogeography, Case Study: M2 Member of the Muara Enim Formation

Sequence stratigraphy related to accommodation space as an area of potential sediment accumulation that is influenced by fluctuations in sea level and subsidence of the basin floor. Paleogeography, on the other hand, is the study of physical geographic features and their evolution throughout geological periods. The aim of this work is to shed light on the relationship between paleogeographic evolution and sequence stratigraphy, as well as coal accumulation in the South Sumatra Basin. The method used are geophysical logs and cores analysis to determine the system tracts, types of system tracts, and stratigraphic sequences, lithofacies and sedimentary facies analysis, paleogeographic analysis using modified single-factor and multi-factor and them mapped using IDW as a geostatistical method. The results indicate that the study area comprises four system tracts, namely TST-1, HST-1, TST-2 and HST-2. In TST-1 and TST-2, the rate of peat formation is balanced with the rate of accommodation space formation, resulting in continuous and very thick coal accumulation. In HST-1 and HST-2, the rate of accommodation space formation exceeds the rate of peat formation, leading to continuous coal accumulation that is quite thick to very thick. Sequence 1 consists of lagoon and tidal/mouth/distal bar paleogeographic unit with sand/shale ratio range 0.217 to 0.247. Sequence 2 consists of lagoon paleogeographic units with sand/shale ratio range 0.046 to 0.05.

Peat formation potential of temperate fens increases with hydrological stability

Peat formation is the key process responsible for carbon sequestration in peatlands. In rich fens, peat is formed by brown mosses and belowground biomass of vascular plants. However, the impact of ecohydrological settings on the contribution of mosses and belowground biomass to peat formation remains an open question. We established seven transects in well-preserved fens in NE Poland along an ecohydrological gradient from mesotrophic sedge-moss communities with stable water levels, to more eutrophic tall sedge communities with higher water level fluctuations. In each transect, we measured the production of brown mosses (using the plug method), aboveground vascular plant biomass (one year after cutting) and belowground biomass (using ingrowth cores). Decomposition rates of all biomass fractions were assessed using litter bags. The first-year surplus of potentially peat-forming fractions, i.e., mosses and belowground biomass, decreased with increasing water level fluctuations and along a vegetation gradient from sedge-moss to tall sedge communities. Moss production was highest in the sedge-moss fen with a stable water level at the ground surface. We did not detect any difference in belowground biomass production across the gradient but found it to be consistently higher in the upper 0–5 cm than in the deeper layers. The decomposition rate also showed no response to the gradient, but differed between biomass types, with aboveground biomass of vascular plants decomposing 2.5 times faster than belowground biomass and mosses. Pattern of peat formation potential along the ecohydrological gradient in rich fen was strongly driven by brown moss production. Sedge-moss fens with a stable water level at the ground surface have the highest peat formation capacity compared to other vegetation types. In the part of the gradient that is poorer in nutrients, vascular plants invest in belowground production, and mosses dominate the aboveground layer.

Twenty‐thousand‐year gap between deglaciation and peat formation on sub‐Antarctic Marion Island attributed to climate and sea level change

Twenty‐thousand‐year gap between deglaciation and peat formation on sub‐Antarctic Marion Island attributed to climate and sea level change

Biochemical activity of peats of different genesis

The results of the study of enzymatic activity of peats of the three bogs of upper and lowland types – Saim, Bolshoye and Tungusovskoye (Tomsk region) are presented. The peculiarities of organic matter formation of peats of different types are given. It is shown that the properties of peats with up to eight different plants in their composition are a consequence of the different structure of polymers of the original plants. The activity indices of enzymes invertase, protease, catalase, polyphenol oxidase, nitrate and nitrite reductase in the peats of different genesis are determined. Thus, at the type level, the extreme values of nitrate and nitrite reductase activity in the peats of the upland bog are equal to 3.60–4.94 mg of reduced NO3– /24 h/g and 3.52–7.01 mg of reduced NO2–/24 h/g, respectively, lowland bog – 4.66–19.33 mg of reduced NO3–/24 h/g and 0.9–13.0 mg of reduced NO2 –/24 h/g, fluvial bog – 8.77–22.29 mg of reduced NO3–/24 h/g and 0.2–13.6 mg of reduced NO2 –/24 h/g. The activity of the enzyme in peats and in mineral soils is compared with the activity estimation according to the D.G. Zvyagintsev scale. Peats are found to show a wider range of invertase values than indicated by the scale. The need to develop a gradation of enzymatic activity assessment for peats is identified. Probably, the activity of enzymes on peat OM transformation may increase when external conditions change towards warming. In the future, it is suggested to develop an evaluation cadastre of peats by enzymatic activity, which will allow, through a balanced selection of peats for agricultural production, to ensure the required quality of products, their environmental safety and economic efficiency.

Prehistoric Landscape Development and Romano-British Farming near Rossington, South Yorkshire

In 2016–2017 Wessex Archaeology undertook excavations between Rossington and Doncaster in South Yorkshire prior to the development of a strategic rail freight interchange. The earliest evidence related to peat formation within two different parts of the site, with a pair of sequences radiocarbon dated to between the Mesolithic period and the Bronze Age. Pollen preserved within the peat provides evidence for woodland development over this period, with no clear signs of any contemporary human impacts on the palynological record. The majority of the archaeological evidence relates to the Romano-British period, when the site contained settlement/farming enclosures and fields used for grazing and cultivation. Archeologically detectable activity was focussed on the enclosures; a stone-built ‘T’-shaped crop-dryer reveals malt production was undertaken in one. The animal bone is relatively informative when compared to regional norms and this evidence, which is accompanied by the results of the analysis of organic residues within the pottery assemblage, suggests a husbandry strategy focussed on cattle carcase products, with some dairying. Charcoal evidence and charred/waterlogged plant remains reveal further information on the agricultural economy of the site including aspects such as crops grown, fuel use and the local environment. The finds assemblage from the site is also relatively rich for the area; such a reasonable degree of integration with the economy of the wider Roman province may have been facilitated by the close proximity of a villa at Stancil.

Exploring the Holocene rise, disturbance and decline of pine forests in the river valleys of northeastern Belgium using pollen and botanical macroremains

The Holocene evolution of vegetation and environment in the Kleine Nete valley in the coversand region of northeastern Belgium is studied through sedimentological, palynological and macrobotanical analysis of a radiocarbon dated peat sequence. Peat formation started at the beginning of the Holocene in mesotrophic fen conditions. After a period of fast peat growth, the accumulation slowed down and the peat surface became dry in the Middle Holocene.The palynological results are compared with other pollen data from the region, in order to establish a regional pollen biozonation for the Early and Middle Holocene in the Nete Basin. This shows that pine has long been a characteristic element in the Nete Basin. Pine forest expanded immediately after the 11.4 cold event, which is earlier than in the western Scheldt Basin. Pine and birch grew along the valley, possibly also within the peatland. Peaks of microcharcoal, herbs and/or coarse sediment in the peat reflect temporary local forest disturbances in the Early Holocene. Some may reflect small-scale controlled fires induced by hunter-gatherers, although a natural cause seems much more plausible given the dominance of fire-associated pines and increased drought. Pine remained important throughout the Early Holocene. This long-lasting predominance of pine in the Nete Basin, compared to elsewhere in the Scheldt Basin, is likely related to the poor sandy subsoil in the region, which hinders more nutrient-demanding broadleaf trees to overtake.

Siberian Jehol Biota

Abstract Volcanogenic-sedimentary and coal-bearing deposits, which contain abundant fossils of a lacustrine fauna and terrestrial flora, are widespread in the territory of Transbaikalia (Russia), Mongolia and Northeastern China. These ecosystems are known under the name ‘Jehol Biota’, which occurs in the Yixian and Jiufotang formations. The discovery of ‘feathered’ dinosaurs and of the earliest angiosperms in western Liaoning Province (China) made them world famous. The history of this biota began in the nineteenth century, when the discoveries in Transbaikalia of the remains of conchostracans, ostracods, insects, fish and plants collected during the expedition of A.F. Middendorf were described. The Barremian–Aptian sedimentary sequences of Transbaikalia (Russia), Mongolia and Northeastern China are very similar. The appearance and evolution of the Jehol Biota occurred against the background of extensive volcanism and tectonic revival, after which normal sedimentary rocks were deposited, culminating in relief peneplanation, swamp development and peat formation. The northern limit of the distribution of this biota is determined to be up to c. 54° modern north latitude. The existence of the Siberian Jehol Biota in extreme climatic conditions is confirmed, as was indicated for the Jehol Biota from NE China.

Unveiling the petrographical, palynological, palynofacies and geochemical archives of coal and shaly coal deposits in the Mandakini–B block of Talcher Basin: An insight into the paleoecology, depositional environment, kerogen type and source rock potential

Coal and shaly coal beds in the Talcher-Mahanadi Basin, eastern India, belongs to Barakar Formation (Artinskian). A comprehensive analysis was undertaken, including organic petrography, palynology, palynofacies, proximate analysis, Rock-Eval pyrolysis and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). The samples consist of the vitrinite group of macerals (avg. 38.2 vol.%), followed by inertinite and liptinite, suggesting peat-forming higher plant vegetation was deposited under prevailing anaerobic conditions. However, the significant presence of inertinite macerals (avg. 29.2 vol.%), including semifusinite and fusinite, along with opaque phytoclasts (avg. 17.3 %), implies occasional shift to oxic conditions. High occurrence of tissue-derived phytoclasts (avg. 64.3 %) indicates that higher plants were the primary contributors to peat formation. Detrovitrinite sub-groups and non-biostructure phytoclasts suggests contributions from herbaceous flora and/or potential tissue degradation due to microbial activity. The palynomorph distribution reveals the dominance of Glossoptriadales, followed by Coniferales and trilete spore groups, comprising 25 genera and 40 species. Non-striate bisaccate pollen, primarily Scheuringipollenites (15–34 %) and sub-dominant striate bisaccate pollen Faunipollenites (11–18 %) prevail in the palynoassemblage. Petrographic indices suggest that the deposition of peat-forming telmatic vegetation has largely occurred in wet forest swamp conditions within the mesotrophic hydrological setting. Palynofacies data, plotted on Tyson’s APP (Amorphous organic matter-Phytoclast-Palynomorph) ternary diagram, suggests suboxic to dysoxic deposition conditions. Low phytoclast preservation index (PPI) indicate proximal deposition of the organic matter. Vitrinite reflectance (VRo%) ranged between 0.42 and 0.68 %, suggesting that the coalification reached up to ‘Medium rank D’ or Bituminous D stage. The substantial total organic contents (TOC: 34.02–61.84 wt.%), hydrogen index (HI) (avg. 154 mg HC/gTOC) and dominance of vitrinite maceral/non-opaque phytoclasts indicate Kerogen Type III and have significant potential for gaseous hydrocarbon generation. FE-SEM images reveal well-developed intergranular and organic pores within the matrix system, serving as both a source and storage in coal beds.

Sphagnan in Sphagnum-dominated peatlands: bioavailability and effects on organic matter stabilization

The unique pectin-like carbohydrate “sphagnan” has been shown to protect organic matter from microbial decomposition in Sphagnum-dominated peatlands. However, the bioavailability of sphagnan has not been evaluated, and it is not known if it persists or continues to affect decomposition processes over the long timescales of peat formation. To address this, we assessed the connection between sphagnan content and organic matter decomposition rates in a temperate peatland near Fennville, MI, USA. We compared the effects of sphagnan over two timescales: (1) a short-term litter incubation assay using mosses from different peatland microtopographies; and (2) oxic and anoxic incubation assays of peat collected from multiple depths within the peat profile, reflecting a natural long-term decomposition continuum. On both timescales, we hypothesized that higher sphagnan content would be associated with lower decomposition rates, and that sphagnan would be selectively preserved compared to bulk C and other carbohydrates. The litter decomposition experiment supported both hypotheses, as higher sphagnan content was associated with lower mass loss, and sphagnan content increased due to selective preservation. In the peat, we observed weak but significant correlations between the relative abundance of sphagnan (as a fraction of total non-cellulosic sugars) and both aerobic and anaerobic respiration rates. This relationship was stronger in cores collected from hollow microtopographies than those from hummocks. However, there was not a significant relationship between respiration rates and the total (C-normalized) sphagnan content. Sphagnan content increased with depth in the peat profile, indicating selective preservation compared to bulk C. Additionally, we observed the accumulation of non-cellulosic glucose in the deep peat, likely derived from microbial exopolysaccharides. Together, these results indicate that sphagnan persists in the catotelm and continues to contribute to the long-term stabilization of organic matter in Sphagnum-rich peatlands, although the weak relationship with respiration indicates that its influence is relatively minor.

Variation in Water-Holding Capacity in Sphagnum Species Depends on Both Plant and Colony Structure.

Peatlands have become a focal point in climate mitigation strategies as these ecosystems have significant carbon sequestration capacities when healthy but release CO2 and other greenhouse gases when damaged. However, as drought episodes become more frequent and prolonged, organisms key to the functioning of some peatlands are increasingly under pressure from desiccation. The Sphagnum mosses, which tend to keep their ecosystem waterlogged and many of whom promote peat formation, are only mildly desiccation-tolerant in comparison to other mosses. The role of Sphagnum anatomy and colony structure is poorly understood in the context of desiccation resilience. Using four different Sphagnum species belonging to four different subgenera and positions along the gradient of the water table, we show that plant morphological traits and colony density are important determinants of water storage capacity. Our results show that, as previously postulated, the majority of the water is stored in an easily exchangeable form, probably extracellularly, and that plant morphological traits, specifically the type and presence of branches, are major contributors to water storage and can explain some of the interspecies variation. We also show that plant density is another important determinant for water storage capacity as higher densities hold larger quantities of water per unit of biomass for all four species, which increases resilience to desiccation. The results presented here suggest that species choice and planting density should receive more attention when considering peatland restoration strategies.

Alternation between terrestrial and aquatic plants dominated organic matter sources in the Tiaoshu wetland (south China) and its response to late Pleistocene environmental changes

Widely distributed wetlands in China play an important role in the global carbon cycle. However, the long-term response of wetland evolution and carbon storage in tropical southern China to climate change remains unclear. Here, we present a sediment core record from the Tiaoshu Wetland in the northern Leizhou Peninsula and multiple proxy indicators are investigated, with the aim of better understanding past vegetation and environmental changes. The following conclusions were drawn: (i) The organic matter deposited in the Tiaoshu Wetland was mainly derived from terrestrial C3 plants and aquatic plants growing in and/or around the catchment. The temporal variability in the relative proportions of organic matter contributed by various sources revealed paleoenvironmental changes in the study area, generally consistent with regional and global climate records. (ii) The peat formation pattern in the Tiaoshu Wetland is in contrast to some individual sites reported in subtropical China, suggesting that there may be different peat formation patterns in the tropical and subtropical regions of China, which may be closely related to specific hydrothermal conditions in different regions. In addition, by comparison with atmospheric CH4 concentrations, our results suggest potential relationships between the evolution of wetlands in tropical China and global atmospheric CH4 cycles.

Paleovegetation and environment during deposition of the Late Oligocene sub-bituminous coal in the Bobov Dol Basin (SW Bulgaria) as deduced from petrographic and geochemical characteristics

Coal and carbonaceous shale samples were taken from the Late Oligocene Bobov Dol Basin, SW Bulgaria. Seams Ia, I, IIa+b, III, IV and V from the coal-bearing Bobov Dol Fm. were sampled to provide insights into the peat forming vegetation and depositional environment based on detailed organic petrological and geochemical study.The petrographic composition indicates that both coals and carbonaceous shales contain predominantly terrestrial organic matter with abundant huminite macerals and locally enriched liptinite macerals. Inertinite is rare or absent. Good tissue preservation in seams I, IV and V indicates deposition under wet sedimentary environment, whereas predominance of detrohuminite and lower Tissue Preservation Index (TPI) in seams Ia, IIa+b and III are linked to enhanced humification of the plant remains due to changes in the hydrological regime. The low percent of inertinite and the overall high Gelification Index (GI), however, argue for peat formation under wetter climatic settings, whereas low to moderate ash yields of coal samples indicate organic matter deposition in oligo- to mesotrophic topogenous mires. Reconstructed evolution of the environmental settings during peat formation denotes differences which might be caused by changes in the hydrological regime and tectonic activity.The biomarker composition shows prevalence of gymnosperm-derived sesqui- and diterpenoids, followed by lower concentration of n-alkanes (apart from the carbonaceous shale samples from seam Ia), whereas angiosperm-derived non-hopanoid triterpenoids, acyclic isoprenoids, steroids and hopanoids, are generally present in minor amounts. Diterpenoid composition indicates dominant contribution from Cupressaceae and Pinaceae conifers. Minor amounts of predominantly lupane-type non-hopanoid triterpenoids denote limited development of angiosperm vegetation, presumably mostly related to Betulaceae family. Relative abundance of mid-chain (n-C21–25) n-alkanes, associated with elevated proxy ratio (Paq) furthermore, suggest possible contribution from aquatic macrophytes to peat formation. Very low hopane concentrations and low/moderate ββ/(ββ + αβ) hopane ratios imply minor aerobic bacterial activity under mild acidic conditions. The presence of inorganic carbon suggests that environmental acidity might be controlled by the occasional input of neutral to slightly alkaline ground waters. Moderate sulfur contents and the occurrence of hopenes denote anaerobic bacterial activity after organic matter burial.Low maturity of the organic matter and limited hydrocarbon generation potential is indicated by the low huminite reflectance, hopane (C31 22S/(22S + 22R)) and sterane (αααC29 20S/(20S + 20R)) isomerization ratios, as well as Rock-Eval parameters, Tmax and Production Index (PI).

Healing Peatlands to Protect Our Planet

Peat is interesting; it is very wet and made from old plants and animals breaking down very slowly. Even though peatlands are just 3% of the land, they lock away 30% of Earth’s carbon. But sometimes people mess things up by draining the peatlands and digging up the peat, which releases carbon into the atmosphere and contributes to the warming of our planet. But do not worry; we can save the day! We can put water back in the peatlands to bring them back to life so they can lock carbon again. Sphagnum—the Latin name of a peat moss—is the hero here! This special moss can support peat formation and be used for gardening and growing food. Ready to help save peatlands and protect the planet? Keep reading!