Abstract
A recent paper by Miszczak et al. (2020) examines metal contamination of mires in Poland and Norway. The authors conclude that lead (Pb) records in ombrotrophic peatlands cannot be used to reconstruct the chronological history of anthropogenic activities due to post-depositional mobility of the metal. We contest this general conclusion which stands in contrast with a significant body of literature demonstrating that Pb is largely immobile in the vast majority of ombrotrophic peatlands. Our aim is to reaffirm the crucial contribution that peat records have made to our knowledge of atmospheric Pb contamination. In addition, we reiterate the necessity of following established protocols to produce reliable records of anthropogenic Pb contamination in environmental archives.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 138699 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Science of the Total Environment |
Volume | 737 |
Early online date | 15 Apr 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2020 |
Bibliographical note
AcknowledgementsWe are thankful to P.G. Appleby, R. Bindler, J. Sonke, B. Smieja-Krol and three anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.
Keywords
- lead
- immobility
- ombrotrophic peatland
- bog
- geochemistry
- enrichment factor
- metal accumulation rate
- Geochemistry
- Ombrotrophic peatland
- Metal accumulation rate
- Immobility
- Enrichment factor
- Lead
- Bog
- JURA MOUNTAINS
- CORES
- LEAD-DEPOSITION
- TRACE-METALS
- INDUSTRIAL
- SPHAGNUM MOSSES
- PEAT BOGS
- NORTHERN ALBERTA
- CARBON ACCUMULATION
- ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION