@article{WangHuangSachseetal.2016, author = {Wang, Xinxin and Huang, Xianyu and Sachse, Dirk and Hu, Yu and Xue, Jiantao and Meyers, Philip A.}, title = {Comparisons of lipid molecular and carbon isotopic compositions in two particle-size fractions from surface peat and their implications for lipid preservation}, series = {Environmental earth sciences}, volume = {75}, journal = {Environmental earth sciences}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {1866-6280}, doi = {10.1007/s12665-016-5960-3}, pages = {375 -- 385}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Knowledge of the possible impacts of early diagenesis on lipid biomarkers in geologic settings is important for robust applications of lipid proxies for paleoclimate reconstructions. In this study, molecular distributions and carbon isotopic compositions of lipids were compared in two particle-size fractions (<0.3 mm and >0.3 mm) of twelve surface peat samples collected from Dajiuhu peatland, central China. The average chain length (ACL) values of long-chain n-alkanes, n-fatty alcohols, n-fatty acids and n-alkan-2-ones show no significant differences between the finer and coarser fractions. In contrast, the carbon preference index values of long-chain n-alkanes, n-fatty alcohols and n-alkan-2-ones have relatively smaller values in the finer fractions than in the coarser ones. Stanols were also more abundant in the finer fractions. In addition, the delta C-13 values of odd-numbered n-alkanes (C-23-C-33) were generally less negative in the finer fractions. Our results indicate that (1) the finer fractions probably experienced stronger degradation than the coarser fractions; (2) the less negative delta(CC)-C-13 values of odd-numbered n-alkanes (C-23-C-33) in the finer fractions were largely a result of greater heterotrophic reworking during degradation; (3) ACL values of long-chain n-alkyl lipids (n-alkanes, n-fatty alcohols and n-fatty acids, n-alkan-2-ones) appear to be reliable proxies to trace lipid sources and their associated paleoenvironmental signals in peat deposits.}, language = {en} } @article{WalterLueckHelleretal.2019, author = {Walter, J. and L{\"u}ck, Erika and Heller, C. and Bauriegel, Albrecht and Zeitz, Jutta}, title = {Relationship between electrical conductivity and water content of peat and gyttja}, series = {Near surface geophysics}, volume = {17}, journal = {Near surface geophysics}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1569-4445}, doi = {10.1002/nsg.12030}, pages = {169 -- 179}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The application of electrical resistivity tomography to peatlands supports conventional coring by providing data on the current condition of peatlands, including data on stratigraphy, peat properties and thickness of organic deposits. Data on the current condition of drained peatlands are particularly required to improve estimates of carbon storage as well as losses and emissions from agriculturally used peatlands. However, most of the studies focusing on electrical resistivity tomography surveys have been conducted on natural peatlands with higher groundwater levels. Peatlands drained for agriculture have not often been studied using geophysical techniques. Drained sites are characterized by low groundwater levels and high groundwater fluctuations during the year, which lead to varying levels of water saturation. To validate better electrical resistivity tomography surveys of drained peatlands, the aim of this laboratory study is to investigate the influence of varying water saturation levels on electrical conductivity (reciprocal of resistivity) for a variety of peat and gyttja types, as well as for different degrees of peat decomposition. Results show that different levels of water saturation strongly influence bulk electrical conductivity. Distinct differences in this relationship exist between peat and gyttja substrates and between different degrees of peat decomposition. Peat shows an exponential relationship for all degrees of decomposition, whereas gyttja, in particular organic-rich gyttja, is characterized by a rather unimodal relationship. The slopes for the relationship between electrical conductivity and water content are steeper at high degrees of decomposition than for peat of low degrees of decomposition. These results have direct implications for field electrical resistivity tomography surveys. In drained peatlands that are strongly susceptible to drying, electrical resistivity tomography surveys have a high potential to monitor the actual field water content. In addition, at comparable water saturations, high or low degrees of decomposition can be inferred from electrical conductivity.}, language = {en} }