Comparison of the transformation of organic matter flux through a raised bog and a blanket bog
- Author(s)
- Stephan Glatzel, Fred Worrall, Ian M. Boothroyd, Katherine Heckman
- Abstract
This study has proposed that organic matter transfer and transformation into and through a peatland is dominated by preferential loss of carbohydrates and the retention of lignin-like molecules. Here we used elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis to analyse the biomass, litter, peat soil profile, particulate organic matter, and dissolved organic matter fluxes sampled from a continental raised bog in comparison a maritime blanket bog. The macromolecular composition and thermodynamic analysis showed that in the raised bog there had been little or no transformation of the organic matter and the accumulation was rapid with comparatively little transformation with only 13% loss of cellulose by 1 m depth compared to 92% removal of cellulosic material in the blanket bog. The lack of transformation is reflected in a difference in long term carbon accumulation rates between raised and blanket bog sites. We propose that raised bogs, with their lack of a stream outfall, have high stable water tables that mean the pore water become thermodynamically closed and reactions cease higher in the peat profile than in a blanket bog where sloping sites mean a frequent flushing of pore water and discharge of water leading to fluctuating water tables, flushing of reaction products and pore spaces remaining open.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Geography and Regional Research
- External organisation(s)
- Durham University, United States Forest Service
- Journal
- Biogeochemistry
- Volume
- 167
- Pages
- 443-459
- No. of pages
- 17
- ISSN
- 0168-2563
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-023-01093-0
- Publication date
- 2023
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 105405 Geoecology, 401902 Soil science
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Chemistry, Water Science and Technology, Earth-Surface Processes
- Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 15 - Life on Land
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/6452e2ea-0c05-47bf-a966-3fbe673df8f2