Authigenic and Detrital Minerals in Peat Environment of Vasyugan Swamp, Western Siberia

Organic carbon, major and trace element release from and adsorption onto particulate suspended matter of the Ob River, western Siberia

Particulate suspended matter (PSM) of rivers is a significant factor for carbon, nutrient, and trace metal transfer from land to ocean. Towards better understanding the role that PSM exerts on major and trace elements in riverine systems, here we report the results of an experimental study which utilizes a two-fold approach to assess interaction between PSM and riverine solutes. First, we measured element leaching (via desorption and dissolution in distilled water, simulating snow melt) from PSM of the largest Siberian river, the Ob River. Second, we quantified the capacity of PSM to adsorb dissolved organic carbon (DOC), macro- and micronutrients and trace elements from organic-rich waters of the river floodplain. We documented sizable desorption of organic carbon, some major and trace metals, oxyanions and insoluble elements from PSM; the majority (>50 %) of elements were released over the first hour of reaction. In contrast, PSM of the Ob River was capable of removing 20 to 90 % of dissolved OC, nutrients (Si, P), and trace elements from the tributary and floodplain fen. Our experiments demonstrated preferential adsorption of aromatic compounds large molecular size colloids. Taken together, the adsorption of solutes by PSM can sizably decrease the concentration and modify the molecular size distribution, and therefore the potential bioavailability of major (DOC, P, Si) and trace micronutrients. Overall, the PSM of the Ob River exhibited high reactivity with respect to natural waters and was capable of modifying the elemental composition of the tributary and floodplain fen waters. This transfer of organic carbon and nutrients in the surface-adsorbed (particulate) form is especially important during spring flood and requires specific consideration in short-term biogeochemical cycles of elements in continental waters.

Characterization of Atmospheric Deposition as the Only Mineral Matter Input to Ombrotrophic Bog

Ombrotrophic peatlands contain a very small percentage of mineral matter that they receive exclusively from atmospheric deposition. Mineral matter deposited on the Šijec bog was characterized using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). We collected solid atmospheric deposition from snow, rainwater, and using passive samplers. Samples were collected at average atmospheric conditions and after two dust events. Size, morphology, and chemical composition of individual particles were determined. We distinguished four main particle groups: silicates, carbonates, organic particles, and Fe-oxyhydroxides. Silicate particles are further divided into quartz and aluminosilicates. Proportions of these groups vary between samples and between sample types. In all samples, silicate particles predominate. Samples affected by dust events are richer in solid particles. This is well observed in passive deposition samples. Carbonates and organic particles represent smaller fractions and are probably of local origin. Iron-oxyhydroxides make up a smaller, but significant part of particles and are, according to their shape and chemical composition, of both geogenic and anthropogenic origin. Estimated quantity and percentage of main groups vary throughout the year and are highly dependent on weather conditions. Dust events represent periods of increased deposition and contribute significantly to mineral matter input to peatlands.

Investigating the Mineral Composition of Peat by Combining FTIR-ATR and Multivariate Analysis

The mineral content of peat has received little attention until the last few decades, when peat cores have been increasingly used to study past dust deposition. Paleodust deposition is commonly reconstructed through elemental datasets, which are used to infer deposition rates, storminess patterns, mineral composition, source identification, and fertilization effects. To date, only a few studies have directly analyzed the mineralogy (by XRD and SEM) and particle size of peat mineral matter, and the conducted studies have usually been constrained by the need to remove a large amount of organic matter, which risks altering the mineral component. One alternative is to use quick, nondestructive techniques, such as FTIR-ATR, that require little sample preparation. In this study, we analyzed by FTIR-ATR both the bulk peat and ash fractions of a sequence taken in a minerogenic mire that covered a wide inorganic matter content range (6%–57%). Aided by principal component analysis on transposed IR spectral data, we were able to identify the main minerals in bulk peat and ash, quartz, mica (likely muscovite), K feldspar (likely microcline), and plagioclase (likely anorthite), which are consistent with the local geology of the mire catchment. Changes in mineral composition during the last ca. 2800 years were coeval with previously reconstructed environmental changes using the same core. Our results suggest that FTIR-ATR has great potential to investigate peat mineral matter and the processes that drive its compositional change.

Geochemical and Mineralogical Characteristics of the Li-Sr-Enriched Coal in the Wenjiaba Mine, Guizhou, SW China

This paper reports the mineralogical and geochemical compositions of C6 coal in the Late Permian Longtan Formation of the Wenjiaba Mine, Northern Guizhou in southwest (SW) China. The geochemical and mineralogical studies are the basis for the potential recovery of critical metals. The Longtan Formation, which is one of the major coal-bearing strata in SW China, contains dozens of coal seams. C6 coal is the main mineable coal seam in the Wenjiaba Mine and the whole coalfield. Proximate and ultimate analyses, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry on trace and major element concentrations, and X-ray diffraction and SEM-EDS analyses were carried out. Results suggest that this anthracite coal is characterized by low ash yield and medium sulfur content. The minerals are mainly composed of clay minerals (kaolinite, chlorite, illite, and mixed-layer illite/smectite), pyrite, and carbonates. Lithium is significantly enriched in C6 coal, with an average of 124 μg/g, and it has a higher concentration in the lower portion of the coal seam than that in the upper one. Strontium is significantly enriched in samples WJB-05 and WJB-06, with concentrations of 3030 and 4580 μg/g, respectively, but it is normal or just slightly enriched in other benches of C6 coal. Additionally, Cu, Nb, and Ta are slightly enriched in the coal. Lithium, dominantly hosted by kaolinite in C6 coals, has a recovery potential. Celestine is one of the major Sr-bearing minerals in C6 coal.

Spatial and temporal variations in mire surface water chemistry as a function of geology, atmospheric circulation and zonal features in the south-eastern part of Western Siberia

This study analysed the chemistry of water samples collected from mires in the south-eastern part of Western Siberia. The aim was to determine spatial and temporal patterns in the hydrochemistry of mires in relation to the environmental conditions and geological history of the region. The results show that concentrations of Fe_total, Са²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and HCO₃^- ions are higher than those obtained in other regions of Russia and Europe, which is consistent with the geological conditions of Western Siberia. High Fe_total concentrations are associated with the distribution of sedimentary ore in the region's largest iron ore basin, the Bakchar deposit, which is represented by strata of various Cretaceous sedimentsary rock at depths of 150-200 m. The Fe-rich rocks contribute to the high Fe concentrations in deep groundwater that feeds into the fens. The increase in Са²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Cl^-, and HCO₃^- in the water resulted from a xerothermic period that occurred in the southern part of Western Siberia (4500-2500 years ago) that increased the carbonation and salinity of the rocks. A feature characteristic of the hydrochemical regime in raised bogs is the transformation of the chemical composition during the year, with a change in dominant anions from HCO₃^- to Cl^- or SO₄^2-. The water in transitional mires and rich fens were characterised by the predominance of HCO₃^- and Са²⁺. Studies have shown that the size and stage of development play leading roles in the formation of the water chemistry in the mires. Small bogs and transitional mires were characterised by a rich mineral nutrition; while, the chemical composition of fens was mainly determined by their geomorphologic position and proximity to large river systems. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the functions of peatland ecosystems in Western Siberia and improve water sampling strategies for future research.

Microtopography Controls of Carbon and Related Elements Distribution in the West Siberian Frozen Bogs

The West Siberian Plain stands out among other boreal plains by phenomenal bogging, which has both global and regional significance. The polygonal bogs, frozen raised-mound bogs, and ombrotrophic ridge-hollow raised bogs are the most extensive bog types in the study area. These bogs commonly show highly diverse surface patterns consisting of mounds, polygons, ridges, hollows, and fens that correspond to the microtopes. Here we investigated how the microtopographic features of the landscape affect the thermal and hydrologic conditions of the soil as well as the nutrient availability and consequently, the dynamics of carbon and related elements. The effect of the surface heterogeneity on the temperature regimes and depths of permafrost is most significant. All of these factors together are reflected, through the feedback system, by a number of hydrochemical parameters of bog waters, such as dissolved organic and inorganic carbon (DOC, DIC), specific conductivity (Cond), SO42–, Cl–, P, Sr, Al, Ti, Cu, V, B, Cs, Cd, Rb, As, U, and rare earth elements (REEs). Among the studied parameters, DOC, SO42, Al, V, and Mn differ most significantly between the convex and concave microforms. The DOC content in bog water is significantly affected by the water residence time, which is significantly longer in soils of mound/polygons than fens. Plants biomass is higher on the mounds which also have some effect that, due to leaching, should lead to more carbon entering into the water of the mounds. It is also shown that atmospheric-dust particles have a noticeable effect on the hydrochemical parameters of bog waters, especially on mounds. The ongoing climate warming will lead to an increase in the fens area and to a decrease in the content of DOC and many elements in bog waters.