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Map of the Bór za Lasem peat bog showing the two investigated sectors of the extracted area (adapted from Łajczak 2006) (a), and location map (b).
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After peat extraction cut-over surface usually consists of moderately to highly humified peat which undergoes secondary transformation due to severely disturbed water conditions. The study was carried out within a mountain bog (Polish Carpathian) located in Orava-Nowy Targ Basin, southern Poland. The objectives of the study was to determine physica...
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... research was carried out on the Bór za Lasem bog, which is located in Czarny Dunajec commune in southern Poland (Figure 1). It is one of a group of 27 peatlands belonging to the European Ecological Network Natura 2000. ...
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... weather characteristics were recorded in 2016 with a Davis Vantage Pro 2 weather station located near the study site (49° 25' 31.33" N, 19° 48' 42.24" E; Figure 1). At this location, mean daily air temperature between June and August (2016) was 15.4 °C, with daily maximum 37.0 °C and daily minimum -2.9 °C. ...
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... extracted area is bisected by a railway embankment. The northern sector (Sector A, ~16 ha) is bordered by the railway to the south and by forest and grassland to the north, while the southern sector (Sector B, ~ 8 ha) is delimited by the railway to the north and a surviving part of the bog dome to the south (Figure 1). Peat was cut on Sector A from the beginning of the 1960s until the beginning of the 1980s, then operations moved onto Sector B where extraction continued until the early 1990s (Mr Bogusław Sroka, Peat Production Plant "Bór za Lasem" in Czarny Dunajec, personal communication 2016). ...
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... research was carried out on the Bór za Lasem bog, which is located in Czarny Dunajec commune in southern Poland (Figure 1). It is one of a group of 27 peatlands belonging to the European Ecological Network Natura 2000. These bogs were formed within the Orava -Nowy Targ Basin, which is a depression flanked to the north and south by mountain ridges. The climate of the basin is moderately warm with some local peculiarities (Kondracki 2011). For the part with bogs, Olszewski (1988) gives a mean annual air temperature of + 5.5 °C (highest and lowest monthly means: + 16 °C for July, -6 °C for February) and total annual precipitation 750-825 mm, which is considerably less than in the surrounding higher-altitude areas but much greater than in the Polish lowlands. Basic weather characteristics were recorded in 2016 with a Davis Vantage Pro 2 weather station located near the study site (49° 25' 31.33" N, 19° 48' 42.24" E; Figure 1). At this location, mean daily air temperature between June and August (2016) was 15.4 °C, with daily maximum 37.0 °C and daily minimum -2.9 °C. The total precipitation recorded during the same period was 375 ...
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... research was carried out on the Bór za Lasem bog, which is located in Czarny Dunajec commune in southern Poland (Figure 1). It is one of a group of 27 peatlands belonging to the European Ecological Network Natura 2000. These bogs were formed within the Orava -Nowy Targ Basin, which is a depression flanked to the north and south by mountain ridges. The climate of the basin is moderately warm with some local peculiarities (Kondracki 2011). For the part with bogs, Olszewski (1988) gives a mean annual air temperature of + 5.5 °C (highest and lowest monthly means: + 16 °C for July, -6 °C for February) and total annual precipitation 750-825 mm, which is considerably less than in the surrounding higher-altitude areas but much greater than in the Polish lowlands. Basic weather characteristics were recorded in 2016 with a Davis Vantage Pro 2 weather station located near the study site (49° 25' 31.33" N, 19° 48' 42.24" E; Figure 1). At this location, mean daily air temperature between June and August (2016) was 15.4 °C, with daily maximum 37.0 °C and daily minimum -2.9 °C. The total precipitation recorded during the same period was 375 ...
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... current area of the bog is 55 ha. Almost the entire perimeter of the bog dome has been intensively exploited by local people for centuries. After World War II, industrial extraction of peat by the block- cutting method commenced, using heavy machinery. The extracted area is bisected by a railway embankment. The northern sector (Sector A, ~16 ha) is bordered by the railway to the south and by forest and grassland to the north, while the southern sector (Sector B, ~ 8 ha) is delimited by the railway to the north and a surviving part of the bog dome to the south (Figure 1). Peat was cut on Sector A from the beginning of the 1960s until the beginning of the 1980s, then operations moved onto Sector B where extraction continued until the early 1990s (Mr Bogusław Sroka, Peat Production Plant "Bór za Lasem" in Czarny Dunajec, personal communication 2016). Thus, peat extraction ceased approximately ten years earlier in Sector A than in Sector B. The site was subsequently left untouched. Across both sectors there is a network of secondary ditches spaced at about 20 m that discharge water into main ditches. Most of the secondary ditches are currently overgrown with vegetation and some of them are blocked. The main ditches discharge water mainly during floods associated with major rainfall events and spring ...
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The study presents the diversification of sediments deposited on log (LS), boulder (BS) and mixed-type (LBS) steps located in the channel of a stream in a small forest mountain catchment in the Polish Carpathians. The topic of sediment diversification in a stream channel is an important issue not only from the perspective of sediment transport proc...
Citations
... They are also highly labile and susceptible to transformation through changes in hydrographic conditions (e.g. Okruszko, 1956Okruszko, , 1993Marcinek, 1976;Marcinek and Spychalski, 1998;Oleszczuk et al., 2008Oleszczuk et al., , 2022Leifeld et al., 2011;Krüger et al., 2015;Zając et al., 2018;Leifeld et al., 2020;Lasota and Błońska, 2021). The greatest threat to organic soils is posed by drainage, which triggers a cascade of changes in the soil matrix. ...
The Soil Science Society of Poland has selected organic soils (in Polish: gleby organiczne) as their Soil of the Year 2024. Organic soils consist of materials that contain ≥12% organic carbon (C), and include peat, gyttja and mud materials, as well as forest (leaf and woody debris) or meadow (grass debris) litter (≥20% organic C if saturated with water for <30 consecutive days a year). The specific properties of these soils, primarily the high organic C content, low bulk density and high porosity values, determine their disaggregation from mineral soils. In the 6th edition of the Polish Soil Classification (SGP 6), four main types of organic soils were distinguished: peat soils (in Polish: gleby torfowe), mursh soils (in Polish: gleby murszowe), limnic soils (in Polish: gleby limnowe) and folisols (in Polish: gleby ściółkowe). The estimated cover of organic soils in Poland ranges from 4 to 5%
of the land surface, located mainly in closed depressions and river valleys; an exception are the folisols that mainly occur in mountain areas. Among organic soils, peat and mursh soils cover the largest area and are mainly used for agricultural purposes. Organic soils are considered the largest natural terrestrial reservoir of organic C, but disturbance to peatlands from climate change and human activities has impacted their C storage potential. In this review paper, we present (a) the
concept of organic soils in Poland; (b) the classifi cation scheme for organic soils in Poland and their correlation with international classifi cation systems, such as the World Reference Base (WRB) and the NRCS Soil Taxonomy; (c) a review of the distribution, land use, threats and protection of organic soils in Poland; and (d) future research needs with regard to organic soils.
... Organic soils are characterized by their susceptibility to transformation and degradation. They are mainly derived from plant residues, so this characteristic is important for agricultural areas (Glina et al., 2019a;Krüger et al., 2015;Łachacz et al., 2023;Nicia et al., 2018;Oleszczuk et al., 2022;Zając et al., 2018). Murshic soils are a soil that is a transitional type from organic soils to mineral soils. ...
... Organic soils are very susceptible to transformation and degradation [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12], which is particularly important in agricultural areas. This is due to the specificity of these soils, which are predominantly formed from plant remnants at various stages of decay [13][14][15][16]. ...
... In Poland, since the 1950s, intensive, multi-directional (comprehensive) studies on the impact of drainage on properties of peat soils have been conducted [1][2][3][4][5]7,8,11,12,18,19,24,27,29,[34][35][36][37]. ...
Organic soils that had been drained in order to obtain fertile agricultural land underwent changes leading to the formation of mursh (also known as moorsh). The mursh-forming process is a generic soil process that occurs in drained (artificially or naturally) organic soils, and leads to the changes in soil morphology, soil physical properties (including water retention capability), physicochemical properties, and chemical and biological properties. The aim of the paper is to present scientific knowledge on mursh soils, especially those that are not available to the wider audience. We firstly reviewed scientific literature on the mursh (moorsh) forming process of drained organic soils used for agriculture. We described the specific character of organic soils, differences between mursh and peat, the origin of the mursh-forming process, and the classification of organic soils (Histosols). Additionally, we described the changes in organic matter, such as the loss of soil carbon, increase of availability of plant nutrients, and leaching of biogens to groundwater. We revealed that the mineral matter in organic soils can be an indicator for distinguishing various types of murshes. We have highlighted the current gaps in the research that need to be filled in. The mursh-forming process is inherently related to the mineralization of soil organic matter and leads to a reduction of organic carbon in soil. Mursh has many unfavorable properties with regards to agriculture and environmental management. These properties are mainly related to decreased water storage capacity, which significantly limits the hydrological function of organic soils. The use of drained organic soils is a trade-off between environmental quality and agricultural production.
... Ref. [17] examined the water retention ability of chosen industrial wastes taken from landfills. Ref. [18] determined physical, hydrophysical and chemical properties of the upper layer of peat soil on post-extracted areas. One of the soil properties regarded in water erosion evaluation is saturated hydraulic conductivity [19][20][21]. ...
Saturated hydraulic conductivity is one of the most essential soil parameters, influencing surface runoff and water erosion formation. Both field and laboratory methods of measurement of this property are time or cost-consuming. On the other hand, empirical methods are very easy, quick and costless. The aim of the work was to compare 15 pedotransfer models and determination of their usefulness for assessment of saturated hydraulic conductivity for highly eroded loess soil. The mean values obtained by use of the analyzed functions highly fluctuated between 2.00·10−3 and 4.05·100 m·day−1. The results of calculations were compared within them and with the values obtained by the field method. The function that was the best comparable with the field method were the ones proposed by Kazeny-Carman, based on void ratio and specific area, and by Zauuerbrej, based on total porosity and effective diameter d20. In turn, the functions that completely differed with the field method were the ones proposed by Seelheim, based on effective diameter d50 and by Furnival and Wilson, based on bulk density, organic matter, clay and silt content. The obtained results are very important for analysis among others water erosion on loess soil.
... However, microtopographic depressions are a common feature in many catchments worldwide and can often be found in wetlands (Diamond et al., 2021;Nungesser, 2003). Moreover, they can occur after windthrow of trees, resulting in a pit and mound microrelief (Bormann et al., 1995;Ulanova, 2000) or be caused by anthropogenic disturbances, for example, mining activities (Gilland & McCarthy, 2014), the use of heavy machinery in forests during timber harvest , exploration activities (Stevenson et al., 2019) or peat extraction from wetlands (Zajac et al., 2018). Also wildfires (Benscoter et al., 2015) or flooding (Stoeckel & Miller-Goodman, 2001) may cause microtopography. ...
The transport of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from the soils to inland waters plays an important role in the global carbon cycle. Widespread increases in DOC concentrations have been observed in surface waters over the last few decades, affecting carbon balances, ecosystem functioning and drinking water treatment. However, the primary hydrological controls on DOC mobilization are still uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of microtopography in the riparian zone for DOC export and DOM quality. DOC concentration and DOM quality in the shallow groundwater of a riparian zone and in streamflow in a forested headwater catchment was investigated using fluorescence and absorbance characteristics. We found higher DOC concentrations with a higher aromaticity in the microtopographical depressions, which were influenced by highly dynamic shallow groundwater levels, than in the flat forest soil. As a result of the frequent wet‐dry cycles in the upper soil layers, aromatic DOC accumulated in the shallow groundwater within and below the microtopographical depressions. Rising groundwater levels during precipitation events led to the connection of the microtopographical depressions to the stream, resulting in a change toward more aromatic DOC in the stream. Increasing stream DOC concentrations were accompanied by increasing concentrations of iron and aluminum, suggesting the coupled release of these metals with DOC from the riparian zone. Our results highlight the importance of the interplay between microtopography and groundwater level dynamics in the riparian zone for DOC export from headwater catchments.
... Drainage induces a sequence of extensive changes in the soil body. The first phase, which usually lasts from around five to fifteen (even twenty) years, involves shrinkage and consolidation (loss of volume) spurred by buoyancy and compaction, resulting in rapid surface lowering [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. In the following years, the microbiological decomposition of plant litter becomes the predominant mechanism, leading to the formation of humus and the release of CO 2 into the atmosphere [21]. ...
... This limited data indicates that the groundwater level estimates (Table 5) are a fairly close match for the direct measurements (Table 6). This means that using such equations (Equations (15)- (18)) to estimate the depth-to-groundwater (on the basis of the surface subsidence) may be useful way to recreate groundwater level data for a past period. However, more research is needed in this regard. ...
The size of peat subsidence at Solec peatland (Poland) over 50 years was determined. The field values for subsidence and mineralization were compared with estimates using 20 equations. The subsidence values derived from equations and field measurements were compared to rank the equations. The equations that include a temporal factor (time) were used to forecast subsidence (for the 20, 30 and 40 years after 2016) assuming stable climate conditions and water regime. The annual rate of subsidence ranged from 0.08 to 2.2 cm year−1 (average 1.02 cm year −1). Equation proposed by Jurczuk produced the closest-matching figure (1.03 cm year−1). Applying the same equation to calculate future trends indicates that the rate of soil subsidence will slow down by about 20% to 0.82 cm year−1 in 2056. With the measured peat subsidence rate, the groundwater level (57–72 cm) was estimated and fed into equations to determine the contribution of chemical processes to the total size of subsidence. The applied equations produced identical results, attributing 46% of peat subsidence to chemical (organic matter mineralization) processes and 54%—to physical processes (shrinkage, organic matter consolidation). The belowground changes in soil in relation to groundwater level have been neglected lately, with GHGs emissions being the main focus.
... Nevertheless, the potential for improving biodiversity and sequestering carbon both depend on site conditions and previous management, particularly historic impacts in terms of drainage, peat harvesting type and extent, remaining peat depth and character, usage and nutrient addition, and therefore sites are often not directly comparable, making restoration decisions difficult and results of restoration through re-wetting unpredictable (Alonso et al., 2012;Zając et al., 2018;Renou-Wilson et al., 2019). ...
... There are several generally accepted techniques for repairing damaged and/or drained lowland bogs, which are removal of scrub and invasive plants (Zając et al., 2018), relevelling and retention of water on site (Money and Wheeler, 1999;Quinty and Rochefort, 2003;Bönsel and Sonneck, 2011;Worrall et al., 2011;Gonzáles and Rochefort, 2014) and re-introduction of peatland plants (Gorham and Rochefort, 2003;Quinty and Rochefort, 2003). ...
... Scrub on peatlands adds nutrients, lowers the water table through evapotranspiration, and outcompetes bog species (Money and Wheeler, 1999;Zając et al., 2018), although a tree-line may be a beneficial windbreak (Schumann and Joosten, 2008). Alonso et al. (2012) state that unfavourable condition assessment of around half of the high percentage of lowland raised bog SSSIs was due to levels of scrub and invasive weed cover, and much of the rest was related to problems of hydrological control which, no doubt, influenced scrub and weed proliferation. ...
Micro-propagated Sphagnum introduction to a degraded lowland bog: photosynthesis, growth and gaseous carbon fluxes
... This transformation is mainly related to natural or anthropogenic soil drainage [6]. Many peatlands worldwide have been artificially drained through various drainage systems and cleared of vegetation in order to obtain fertile land for agricultural purposes [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. As cited by Grenon et al. [8], of the global peatlands Our study aimed to analyse the behaviour of P forms, particularly soluble ones, and to derive some basic indices reflecting changes occurring due to the influence of organic matter transformation after drainage of organic soils in the Odra river valley. ...
Lowering of groundwater levels caused by anthropogenic changes in the environment gives rise to global problems, most of which relate to soil degradation such as land desertification or organic soil degradation. The transformation of drainage-sensitive organic soils causes many irreversible changes during organic matter (OM) transformation. Phosphorous (P) behaviour is one of the aspects of OM transformation that requires further investigation, due to the P transformations’ complex dependency on many environmental factors. Our study aimed to characterise behaviour of P and find indices reflecting P changes under the influence of OM transformation in drained organic soils in the Odra river valley. The studies were carried out on soils representing different stages of soil degradation in which basic soil properties, including different P forms, were determined with commonly used methods. The results showed significantly higher content of soluble P forms (Pw, PCaCl2, PM3), particularly in the most drained postmurshic soil (P1). The indices used in this study—Ip, PSD, C:Pt, N:Pt—reflected well the P and OM transformations in organic soils degraded by drainage. This was indicated by numerous statistically significant relationships between the indices and basic soil properties (e.g., Ash, C, N), as well as different P forms (Pt, Pmin, Pox, Porg, Pw, PCaCl2, PM3). The PSD and Ip values increased and the C:Pt and N:Pt ratios decreased with the degree of OM mineralisation and the degree of site drainage (P3 < P2 < P1).
... Tal es el caso de aquellas turberas en que se remueve la vegetación de la superficie del acrotelm (e.g. extracción de Sphagnum) (Zając et al. 2018). Por lo tanto, afectaciones directas a las comunidades vegetales que habitan estos ecosistemas podrían desencadenar la pérdida acelerada de los depósitos de turba y el carbono que esta contiene. ...
Debido a su capacidad para secuestrar carbono de la atmósfera, las turberas representan uno de los ecosistemas más importantes para mitigar el cambio climático. Las turberas de la Patagonia tienen una extensión superior a los 4,5 millones de hectáreas y contienen 1% del carbono almacenado en las turberas del planeta. Por esta razón, con la finalidad de reducir sus emisiones de carbono, Chile incluyó estos ecosistemas dentro de sus Contribuciones Determinadas a Nivel Nacional ante las Naciones Unidas. Sin embargo, existe información limitada sobre la dinámica del carbono en estos ecosistemas, lo que dificulta definir la capacidad de las turberas de la Patagonia para acumular carbono en el corto, mediano y largo plazo. Es importante tener en cuenta que, tanto la extracción de turba con fines comerciales, como el incremento de la temperatura y la disminución de precipitación en algunas regiones de la Patagonia, podrían transformar estos ecosistemas de sumideros a fuentes emisoras netas de carbono hacia la atmósfera. Uno de los aspectos centrales que se deben conocer con certeza es la tasa de acumulación de turba y carbono. Estos parámetros permiten estimar el balance de carbono y hacen posible proyectar medidas adecuadas de manejo, conservación y restauración de turberas prístinas e impactadas. Con base en la información bibliográfica disponible, se estimó que, en promedio, las turberas de la Patagonia acumulan turba, en el largo plazo, a una tasa de 0,43 ± 0,02 mm a−1, equivalente a una tasa promedio de acumulación de carbono de 12,25 ± 0,55 g C m−2 a−1. Durante los próximos treinta años, las turberas ubicadas en las regiones de Aysén y Magallanes podrían contribuir a la captura de 13 millones de toneladas de carbono, siempre y cuando se detenga su explotación comercial y las condiciones climáticas lo permitan. Existe una alta probabilidad de que, en las próximas décadas, las turberas adquirirán mayor relevancia dentro de los mecanismos para alcanzar la neutralidad en carbono en 2050. De manera conjunta, los bosques nativos y turberas del país permitirán proyectar una ruta hacia la neutralidad en carbono que sea resiliente a diferentes crisis globales, incluyendo el cambio climático.
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a persistent and toxic heavy metal that threatens aquatic ecosystems. Wetlands act as natural filters, while beaver dams influence sediment deposition and metal retention. This study investigates Pb fixation in wetland sediments by analyzing its spatial and temporal variations, considering organic matter content and sediment composition. Pb concentrations were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), and fixation processes were assessed using concentration coefficients relative to background values (15 µg g−1, Lithuanian Hygiene Standard HN 60:2004). A total of 165 sediment samples were collected during the spring and the autumn of 2022 and 2023 across three study sites. The results indicate that Pb fixation strongly correlates with organic carbon content, while sediment texture influences its mobility. A key finding is that beaver dams contribute to Pb retention by altering hydrodynamic conditions and sedimentation patterns. Despite sediment stability, new Pb inputs continue to enter water bodies, depending on pollution sources. However, Pb concentrations remain within background levels and do not exceed the Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC). These findings are essential for wetland conservation and contribute to sustainable strategies for mitigating heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems.
Keywords: wetland; beaver dam; lead (Pb); sediments; organic carbon (OC)
