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Estimating Long-Term Carbon Accumulation Rates in Boreal Peatlands by Radiocarbon Dating

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Atte Korhola ,
Kimmo Tolonen ,
Jukka Turunen  and
Högne Jungner
Atte Korhola
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Laboratory of Physical Geography, P.O. Box 9 (Siltavuorenpenger 20 A), FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
Kimmo Tolonen
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Joensuu, P.O. Box 111, FIN-80101 Joensuu, Finland
Jukka Turunen
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Joensuu, P.O. Box 111, FIN-80101 Joensuu, Finland
Högne Jungner
Affiliation:
Dating Laboratory, P.O. Box 11 (Snellmaninkatu 3), FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
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Abstract

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We used direct radiocarbon dates of peat samples, pollen dates and land-uplift chronology from >1300 cores comprising all or most of the Holocene in the boreal region of Finland, Estonia and Maine (USA) to obtain long-term carbon accumulation rates for boreal peatlands. The “apparent” long-term rate of carbon accumulation (LORCA; g C m−2 a−1) ranged from 4.6 to 85.8 (mean 19.9 ± 10.7), depending on the geographical location, wetland type and the age of the mire. The “true” or “actual” rate of carbon accumulation (ARCA), as derived from models for peatbog growth, was usually ca. 70% of LORCA. We studied the raised bog Reksuo more intensely in terms of growth dynamics, and we report preliminary results of the “three-dimensional” or spatial carbon accumulation rates. These results strongly contradict the concept of constant input and constant decay throughout the millennia. The study emphasizes the importance of exploring the formation and dynamics of entire mire ecosystems, and the role of carbon in these systems, in addition to studying single cores.

Type
IV. 14C as a Tracer of the Dynamic Carbon Cycle in the Current Environment
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 37 , Issue 2 , 1995 , pp. 575 - 584
Copyright
Copyright © the Department of Geosciences, The University of Arizona 

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