Purpose

The analysis of n-alkanes in palaeoenvironmental studies of peatlands is mainly limited to ombrogenous peatlands which are a rare feature in the environment. Using n-alkane and plant macrofossil analysis, we have tracked changes in the environment in the valley of a large Central European river. We tested the possibilities for applying such studies to low-moor bogs which are the most commonly occurring type of bog in the world.

Materials and methods

Representative peat samples were taken from two profiles in a peatland located in the Vistula Valley (southern Poland), and they were analysed for the occurrence and distribution of biomarkers. The distribution of n-alkanes was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The botanical composition of the samples was determined by analysis of plant macrofossil remains, and the degree of peat decomposition was also determined.

Results and discussion

Samples of low-moor peat were characterised by a prevalence of medium- and long-chain n-alkane homologues, which is typical for higher plants. The variable values of the CPI, CPI _(25–31), and the C₂₃/C₂₅ ratio have provided information on the stages of formation of the Zapadź bog. The source of n-alkane differentiation is vegetation change related to palaeohydrological dynamics and palaeoenvironmental conditions within the peatland.

Conclusions

We have shown that analysis of n-alkanes can be successfully used in low-moor bogs as a complement to palaeobotanical and palaeozoological methods. The bringing together of these types of research enables changes in the ecosystems of large river valleys to be tracked.

中文翻译：

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植被和古水文学变化对上维斯瓦河谷（波兰南部）全新世泥炭序列的正构烷烃组成的影响

目的

在泥炭地古环境研究中对正构烷烃的分析主要限于成膜泥炭地，这是环境中罕见的特征。使用正构烷烃和植物大化石分析，我们跟踪了中欧一条大河谷中环境的变化。我们测试了将此类研究应用于低沼地沼泽的可能性，而低沼地沼泽是世界上最常见的沼泽类型。

材料和方法

从位于维斯瓦河谷（波兰南部）的一个泥炭地的两个剖面中采集了代表性的泥炭样品，并对它们进行了生物标记物的发生和分布分析。使用气相色谱-质谱法（GC-MS）确定正构烷烃的分布。通过分析植物大化石残留物确定样品的植物成分，并确定泥炭分解的程度。

结果和讨论

低沼泥炭样品的特征是普遍存在的中链和长链正构烷烃同系物。CPI，CPI _（25-31）和C ₂₃ / C _25之比的变量值提供了Zapadź沼泽形成阶段的信息。正构烷烃分化的来源是与泥炭地中的古水文动力学和古环境状况有关的植被变化。

结论

我们已经表明，对正构烷烃的分析可以成功地用于低沼沼泽中，作为对古植物学和古动物学方法的补充。将这些类型的研究汇总在一起，就可以跟踪大河谷生态系统的变化。