Dissolved Organic Carbon Concentrations Along Carbon and Water Table Gradients in Raised Bogs in Lower Saxony (Germany) Under Grassland

Authors:
Stefan Frank, Bärbel Tiemeyer, Annette Freibauer

Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Stockholm

Keywords:
agriculture, bog-hydrology, carbon-losses, water-chemistry

Documentfile:
Frank et al 2012: Dissolved Organic Carbon Concentrations Along Carbon and Water Table Gradients in Raised Bogs in Lower Saxony

Summary:

Theme I.  Inventory, stratigraphy and conservation of mires and peatlands

SUMMARY

Drainage and land use change have altered the carbon cycling of peatlands. Although losses of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) may be an important part of the carbon balance, there is only sparse data on DOC in raised bogs. Thus, we measured DOC concentrations in the soil- and groundwater at six grassland sites with different hydrological conditions, land use intensities and peat properties. Measured DOC concentrations span a wide range (21-604 mg l-1). Groundwater level and the associated land use intensity as well as the peat degradation status show a clear impact on DOC concentration patterns.