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PubMed2002

The amount of carbon released from peat and forest fires in Indonesia during 1997.

Tropical peatlands are one of the largest near-surface reserves of terrestrial organic carbon, and hence their stability has important implications for climate change. In their natural state, lowland tropical peatlands support a luxuriant growth of peat swamp forest overlying peat deposits up to 20 metres thick. Persistent environmental change-in particular, drainage and forest clearing-threatens their stability, and makes them susceptible to fire. This was demonstrated by the occurrence of widespread fires throughout the forested peatlands of Indonesia during the 1997 El Niño event. Here, using satellite images of a 2.5 million hectare study area in Central Kalimantan, Borneo, from before and after the 1997 fires, we calculate that 32% (0.79 Mha) of the area had burned, of which peatland accounted for 91.5% (0.73 Mha). Using ground measurements of the burn depth of peat, we estimate that 0.19-0.23 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon were released to the atmosphere through peat combustion, with a further 0.05 Gt released from burning of the overlying vegetation. Extrapolating these estimates to Indonesia as a whole, we estimate that between 0.81 and 2.57 Gt of carbon were released to the atmosphere in 1997 as a result of burning peat and vegetation in Indonesia. This is equivalent to 13-40% of the mean annual global carbon emissions from fossil fuels, and contributed greatly to the largest annual increase in atmospheric CO(2) concentration detected since records began in 1957 (ref. 1).

Atmosphere↗
PubMed2004

Identifying the sources and timing of ancient and medieval atmospheric lead pollution in England using a peat profile from Lindow bog, Manchester.

A peat core from Lindow bog near Manchester, England, was precisely cut into 2 cm slices to provide a high-resolution reconstruction of atmospheric Pb deposition. Radiocarbon and (210)Pb age dates show that the peat core represents the period ca. 2000 BC to AD 1800. Eleven radiocarbon age dates of bulk peat samples reveal a linear age-depth relationship with an average temporal resolution of 18.5 years per cm, or 37 years per sample. Using the Pb/Ti ratio to calculate the rates of anthropogenic, atmospheric Pb deposition, the profile reveals Pb contamination first appearing in peat samples dating from ca. 900 BC which clearly pre-date Roman mining activities. Using TIMS, MC-ICP-MS, and SF-ICP-MS to measure the isotopic composition of Pb, the (208)Pb/(206)Pb and (206)Pb/(207)Pb data indicate that English ores were the predominant sources during the pre-Roman, Roman, and Medieval Periods. The study shows that detailed studies of peat profiles from ombrotrophic bogs, using appropriate preparatory and analytical methods, can provide new insight into the timing, intensity, and predominant sources of atmospheric Pb contamination, even in samples dating from ancient times.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗
PubMed2003

Effect of habitat fragmentation on levels and patterns of genetic diversity in natural populations of the peat moss Polytrichum commune.

Peat bogs represent unique ecosystems that are under particular threat from fragmentation due to peat harvesting, with only 38% of the original peatland in Europe remaining intact and unaffected by peat cutting, drainage and silviculture. In this study, we have used microsatellite markers to determine levels and patterns of genetic diversity in both cut and uncut natural populations of the peat moss Polytrichum commune. Overall diversity levels suggest that there is more genetic variation present than had previously been assumed for bryophytes. Despite this, diversity values from completely cut bogs were found to be lower than those from uncut peatlands (average 0.729 versus 0.880). In addition, the genetic diversity was more highly structured in the cut populations, further suggesting that genetic drift is already affecting genetic diversity in peat bogs subjected to fragmentation.

Bryopsida↗
PubMed2004

Acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methane production and methanogenic populations in an acidic West-Siberian peat bog.

Sites in the West Siberian peat bog 'Bakchar' were acidic (pH 4.2-4.8), low in nutrients, and emitted CH4 at rates of 0.2-1.5 mmol m(-2) h(-1). The vertical profile of delta13CH4 and delta13CO2 dissolved in the porewater indicated increasing isotope fractionation and thus increasing contribution of H2/CO2-dependent methanogenesis with depth. The anaerobic microbial community at 30-50 cm below the water table produced CH4 with optimum activity at 20-25 degrees C and pH 5.0-5.5 respectively. Inhibition of methanogenesis with 2-bromo-ethane sulphonate showed that acetate, phenyl acetate, phenyl propionate and caproate were important intermediates in the degradation pathway of organic matter to CH4. Further degradation of these intermediates indicated that 62-72% of the CH4 was ultimately derived from acetate, the remainder from H2/CO2. Turnover times of [2-14C]acetate were on the order of 2 days (15, 25 degrees C) and accounted for 60-65% of total CH4 production. Conversion of 14CO2 to 14CH4 accounted for 35-43% of total CH4 production. These results showed that acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis operated closely at a ratio of approximately 2 : 1 irrespective of the incubation temperature (4, 15 and 25 degrees C). The composition of the archaeal community was determined in the peat samples by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis and sequencing of amplified SSU rRNA gene fragments, and showed that members of Methanomicrobiaceae, Methanosarcinaceae and Rice cluster II (RC-II) were present. Other, presumably non-methanogenic archaeal clusters (group III, RC-IV, RC-V, RC-VI) were also detected. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that the number of Bacteria decreased (from 24 x 10(7) to 4 x 10(7) cells per gram peat) with depth (from 5 to 55 cm below the water table), whereas the numbers of Archaea slightly increased (from 1 x 10(7) to 2 x 10(7) cells per gram peat). Methanosarcina spp. accounted for about half of the archaeal cells. Our results show that both hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogenesis are an integral part of the CH4-producing pathway in acidic peat and were represented by appropriate methanogenic populations.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed1981

Effect of steam sterilization and gamma irradiation of peat on quality of Rhizobium inoculants.

Data obtained by independent tests on each of 483 batches of Rhizobium inoculants for Glycine max, Medicago sativa, and Arachis hypogaea, manufactured commercially in South Africa, are reported and discussed. Whereas the average cell count per gram per batch was well in excess of 10, inoculants for G. max and M. sativa manufactured with peat treated with gamma irradiation at a dose of 50 kGr contained significantly higher numbers of Rhizobium cells than inoculants from peat which received 25 kGr. Inoculants for M. sativa manufactured with steam-sterilized peat were similar in quality to those prepared with peat irradiated at a dose of 50 kGr. Contrary to the inoculants for G. max and M. sativa, the Rhizobium strain used in inoculants for A. hypogaea was apparently insensitive to the effect on peat of the higher gamma irradiation dosage.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Detection and enumeration of methanotrophs in acidic Sphagnum peat by 16S rRNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, including the use of newly developed oligonucleotide probes for Methylocella palustris.

Two 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes, Mcell-1026 and Mcell-181, were developed for specific detection of the acidophilic methanotroph Methylocella palustris using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The fluorescence signal of probe Mcell-181 was enhanced by its combined application with the oligonucleotide helper probe H158. Mcell-1026 and Mcell-181, as well as 16S rRNA oligonucleotide probes with reported group specificity for either type I methanotrophs (probes M-84 and M-705) or the Methylosinus/Methylocystis group of type II methanotrophs (probes MA-221 and M-450), were used in FISH to determine the abundance of distinct methanotroph groups in a Sphagnum peat sample of pH 4.2. M. palustris was enumerated at greater than 10(6) cells per g of peat (wet weight), while the detectable population size of type I methanotrophs was three orders of magnitude below the population level of M. palustris. The cell counts with probe MA-221 suggested that only 10(4) type II methanotrophs per g of peat (wet weight) were present, while the use of probe M-450 revealed more than 10(6) type II methanotroph cells per g of the same samples. This discrepancy was due to the fact that probe M-450 targets almost all currently known strains of Methylosinus and Methylocystis, whereas probe MA-221, originally described as group specific, does not detect a large proportion of Methylocystis strains. The total number of methanotrophic bacteria detected by FISH was 3.0 (+/-0.2) x 10(6) cells per g (wet weight) of peat. This was about 0.8% of the total bacterial cell number. Thus, our study clearly suggests that M. palustris and a defined population of Methylocystis spp. were the predominant methanotrophs detectable by FISH in an acidic Sphagnum peat bog.

Alphaproteobacteria↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Differential effects of surface and peat fire on soil constituents in a degraded wetland of the northern Florida Everglades.

The effects of surface (aboveground) and peat (belowground) fire on a number of soil constituents were examined within a hydrologically altered marsh in the northern Florida Everglades. Peat fire resulted in losses of total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), and organic phosphorus (Po), while inorganic phosphorus (Pi) and total calcium (TCa) concentrations increased. In addition, peat fire led to a more pronounced vertical gradient in constituent concentrations between upper and lower soil layers. Surface fire also affected soil constituents, but impacts were small relative to peat fire. The effects of physical versus chemical processes during burning were assessed using ratios of constituent to TCa concentrations. This measure indicated that increases in the levels of total phosphorus (TP) in peat-burned areas were due primarily to the physical reduction of soil, while decreases in TN and TC were the result of volatilization. Increases in concentrations of Pi fractions arose from both chemically and physically mediated processes. In an ecological context, the observed soil transformations may encourage the growth of invasive plant species, such as southern narrow-leaved cattail (Typha domingensis Pers.), which exhibits high growth rates in response to increased P availability.

Biological Availability↗
PubMed2003

[Characteristics of nitrogen distribution in peat deposit of freshwater marsh wetland].

Using the methods of sampling in winter and the dividing soil layers in soil profiles, the characteristics of TN, NH4(+)-N and NO3(-)-N concentration distribution in peat sediments of river bed-flood land and valley depression land in Sanjiang Plain where is the most extensive freshwater marsh wetland in China were systematically studied. The results showed that NH4(+)-N and NO3(-)-N was obviously accumulated in Asc layer, and TN content in Hil layer was the highest with the comparing to other layers. TN content in peat sediments was obviously increased with the peat particular size decreasing, NH4(+)-N was mainly distributed in peat component with 0.149-0.074 mm size, and the most of NO3(-)-N was in peat component with 0.03-0.149 mm granule size.

Ammonia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Detection of representatives of the Planctomycetes in Sphagnum peat bogs by molecular and cultivation methods].

By means of fluorescence in situ hybridization with 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes (FISH), it has been shown that members of the phylum Planctomycetes represent a numerically significant bacterial group in boreal Sphagnum peat bogs. The population size of planctomycetes in oxic layers of the peat bog profile was in the range of 0.4-2.0 x 10(7) cells per g of wet peat, comprising 4 to 13% of the total bacterial cell number. A novel effective approach that combined a traditional cultivation technique with FISH-mediated monitoring of the target organism during the isolation procedure has been developed for the isolation of planctomycetes. Using this approach, we succeeded in isolating several peat-inhabiting planctomycetes in a pure culture. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes from two of these isolates, strains A10 and MPL7, showed that they belonged to the planctomycete lineages defined by the genera Gemmata and Planctomyces, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strains A10 and MPL7 and the phylogenetically closest organisms, namely, Gemmata obscuriglobus and Planctomyces limnophilus, was only 90%. These results suggest that the indigenous planctomycetes inhabiting Sphagnum peat bogs are so far unknown organisms.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1996

Binding and chemical fractionation of heavy metals in typical peat matter.

Laboratory batch studies were conducted to evaluate the binding capacity and the mobility of metal species bound to typical humus peat matter. The identification of phase composition of mineral fractions and functional groups in the organic matter was assessed. The results showed generally high, but different retention capacity and binding strength, suggesting distinct diversity in binding mechanisms, phases and chemical nature of binding sites, depending on the metal species and their input concentrations. In general, the binding capacity of peat for the metal ions studied follows the order: Cr(3+) > Cu(2+) > Zn(2+) > Cd(2+) and results in the decrease of pH in the same order, due to displacement of H(3)O(+) from the peat by metal ions. The highest metal enrichment occurs in fractions F1(EXC), F2(CARB), F4(MRO) and F5(OM) of different binding strength adequate to exchangeable, carbonatic, moderately reducible amorphous Fe-oxide and organic/ sulphidic fractions in soils and sediments. In relation to species distribution in peats, the prevailing part of Cr(3+) is strongly bound in oxidizable organic substrate, while Cu(2+) is highly enriched in the moderately reducible F4(MRO) and the most labile F2(EXC) fractions. Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) are predominantly bound in the labile F1(EXC) and F2(CARB) fractions. Diversity of the predominant binding phases for the studied metals suggests rather weak competition for binding sites between chromium and copper ions; the strongest competition between the sorbed metal ions is anticipated for F1(EXC) and F2(CARB) fractions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Survey of Hylobates agilis albibarbis in a logged peat-swamp forest: Sabangau catchment, Central Kalimantan.

Few data are available on gibbon populations in peat-swamp forest. In order to assess the importance of this habitat for gibbon conservation, a population of Hylobates agilis albibarbis was surveyed in the Sabangau peat-swamp forest, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. This is an area of about 5,500 km(2) of selectively logged peat-swamp forest, which was formally gazetted as a national park during 2005. The study was conducted during June and July 2004 using auditory sampling methods. Five sample areas were selected and each was surveyed for four consecutive days by three teams of researchers at designated listening posts. Researchers recorded compass bearings of, and estimated distances to, singing groups. Nineteen groups were located. Population density is estimated to be 2.16 (+/-0.46) groups/km(2). Sightings occurring either at the listening posts or that were obtained by tracking in on calling groups yielded a mean group size of 3.4 individuals, hence individual gibbon density is estimated to be 7.4 (+/-1.59) individuals/km(2). The density estimates fall at the mid-range of those calculated for other gibbon populations, thus suggesting that peat-swamp forest is an important habitat for gibbon conservation in Borneo. A tentative extrapolation of results suggests a potential gibbon population size of 19,000 individuals within the mixed-swamp forest habitat sub-type in the Sabangau. This represents one of the largest remaining continuous populations of Bornean agile gibbons. The designation of the Sabangau forest as a national park will hopefully address the problem of illegal logging and hunting in the region. Further studies should note any difference in gibbon density post protection.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2005

Examination of soil contaminated by coal-liquids by size exclusion chromatography in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone solution to evaluate interference from humic and fulvic acids and extracts from peat.

Soil from a redundant coke oven site has been examined by extraction of soluble materials using 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) followed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) of the extracted material. The extracted material was found to closely resemble a high temperature coal tar pitch. Standard humic and fulvic acids were also examined since these materials are very soluble in NMP and would be extracted with pitch if present in the soil. Humic substances derived from peat samples and NMP-extracts of peats were also examined. The results show that the humic and fulvic substances were not extracted directly by NMP from peats. They were extracted using caustic soda solution and were different from the peat extracts in NMP. These results indicate that humic and fulvic acids were soluble in NMP in the protonated polyelectrolyte form but not in the original native polyelectrolyte form. The extraction of soil using NMP followed by SEC appears to be a promising method for identifying contamination by coal-based industries.

Benzopyrans↗
PubMed2005

Order-of-magnitude increase of Hg in Norwegian peat profiles since the outset of industrial activity in Europe.

Peat cores from six ombrotrophic bogs at different latitudes in Norway (58 degrees N-69 degrees N) were analysed for Hg by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. In all cases a smooth decrease of Hg with depth was observed down to 15-20 cm. At greater depths Hg showed a relatively constant level of the order of 10% of that in the peat surface layer. In the surface peat Hg concentrations exhibit moderate variation with latitude. The pre-industrial levels of Hg in the peat correspond to a net annual Hg accumulation of 0.3-0.9 microgm(-2). The Hg accumulation over the last 100 years is about 15 times higher on average than the pre-industrial level. The present work supports the view that a major part of the present atmospheric Hg in the Northern Hemisphere is of anthropogenic origin. It is speculated that the comparatively high Hg contemporary accumulation rates observed at the Andøya bog on 69 degrees N may be related to the Arctic springtime depletion of Hg.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2006

Mechanisms of competitive adsorption of Pb, Cu, and Cd on peat.

Combined use of batch equilibration adsorption and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was employed to study the mechanisms of competitive adsorption of Pb, Cu, and Cd on Danish and Heilongjiang peat in single- and multi-solute systems. The adsorption capacity and initial adsorption rate on the same peat in single-solute systems followed the order Pb>Cu>Cd. Both the adsorbed amount of each metal (q'm) and its initial adsorption rate were decreased in multi-solute systems. It was observed that the adsorbed amounts of metals at low-energy adsorption sites (qm,1) decreased pronouncedly compared to those at high-energy adsorption sites (qm,2), indicating that the competitive adsorption of Pb, Cu and Cd occurred mainly at the low-energy adsorption sites. XAS study revealed that both Pb and Cu were coordinated in peat predominantly to carboxylic moieties without excluding the hydroxyl groups, thereby providing an insight into the mechanism of competitive adsorption of Pb and Cu on peat.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2004

Transport of lead and diesel fuel through a peat soil near Juneau, AK: a pilot study.

A set of peat column experiments was used to determine the transport potential of lead (Pb) and diesel range organics (DRO) in palustrine slope wetlands near Juneau, AK. This project is important to southeast Alaskan communities because limited land resources are forcing development of regional wetlands. This study was instigated by concerns that proposed modifications to a nearby rifle range using DRO-contaminated soil posed a potential risk to an anadromous fish-bearing stream 250 m from the site. Three pairs of peat columns were extracted from the rifle range for analysis, one pair along and two pairs across the natural bedding planes of the soil. One column in each pair was spiked with Pb and DRO and the other was used as a control. Approximately 1-year worth of water (171 cm) was passed through each column and leachate was collected at regular intervals. The results showed that substantial DRO transport only occurred along the bedding planes. Leads was surprisingly mobile, both along and across the bedding planes with estimated soil-water partition coefficients several orders of magnitude lower than commonly published values, probably because the peat was heavily Pb-loaded by lead from bullets and because the peat's acidic, organic-rich environment enhanced Pb mobility. The chemical outflow behavior agreed with a simple macropore transport model. These results underscore the need for caution when developing regional wetlands.

Absorption↗
PubMed2004

Copper (II) adsorption from aqueous solution by herbaceous peat.

In this research, the herbaceous peat collected from Gavurgolu peatlands, one of the biggest Turkish peatlands, was utilized as an adsorbent for the removal of copper (II) ions from aqueous solution. Adsorption experiments were conducted under various conditions, i.e., initial concentration, temperature, and pH. While the amount of Cu (II) adsorbed on the peat increased with increasing concentration of Cu (II) ions, it was not markedly affected by temperature and pH. Percentage removal was higher at lower concentration. For example, the maximum percentage removal of Cu (II) ions for initial concentration of 3 x 10(-4) M was 97.04% at 21 degrees C and pH 5.5. The adsorption capacity (Q(0)) of the peat was 4.84 mgg(-1) from Langmuir adsorption isotherm for the concentration range of 3 x 10(-4)-6 x 10(-4) M at 21 degrees C and pH 5.5. The equilibrium time of adsorption of Cu (II) ions was 150 min and independent of concentration and temperature. The amount of Cu (II) adsorbed at equilibrium time did not considerably change with temperature and pH. It was also determined that adsorption isotherm followed both Freundlich and Langmuir. Uptake mechanism of Cu (II) ions by the peat occurs via cation exchange (especially by means of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+)) as well as copper/peat complexation. Adsorption kinetic was consistent with the pseudo-second-order model.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2001

Inter-relationship between adsorption and pH in peat biofilters in the context of a cation-exchange mechanism.

A mathematical model of biofiltration McNevin and Barford (1998) has been augmented to include speciation, acid/base equilibria and pH dependence of adsorptive equilibria. It accurately predicts qualitative aspects of dynamic transients observed in an experimental perfusion column and supported a mechanism of adsorption by cation exchange with acidic functional groups on the surface of peat. It mirrored the buffering capacity of peat when solutions of high and low pH flow over the peat surface. This is a direct result of cation exchange where adsorption of cations increases with pH. This buffering capacity makes peat an attractive medium for engineered biological systems which must often operate within narrow pH bands to optimise biological activity.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2001

Concentrations and distribution of some polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an ombrotrophic peat bog profile of Switzerland.

An efficient method was developed for the analysis of selected PCBs and PAHs in dry peat samples. The method includes a shaking extraction using acetone and hexane followed by the purification of the crude extract by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) which turned out to be the key clean-up step. The method was used to determine seven indicator PCBs and 16 EPA-PAHs in individual sections of an ombrotrophic peat core in south-west Switzerland. The maximum concentrations of PCBs (19 microg sigma PCBs/kg dm) were found at a peat depth of 10-15 cm which is estimated to correspond to a time period of 1976-1960 whereas the PAH profile showed a maximum (2853 microg sigma PAHs/kg dm) at a depth of 20-25 cm which represents circa 1951-1930. Compared to these maxima, the concentrations of PAHs in the top layer (1990-1986) are six times lower, but the decline in PCBs is only 38%. The concentration profiles are generally consistent with known changes in contaminant emissions, and suggest that more detailed studies of ombrogenic peat bog profiles could be used for detailed reconstructions of the changing atmospheric fluxes of these and other organic contaminants.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗