A Two-Part Harmony: Changes in Peat Molecular Composition in Two Cores from an Ombrotrophic Peatland (Tremoal do Pedrido, Xistral Mountains, NW Spain)

In peat research, the question often arises as to how similar/different the records of cores collected in the same mire are. This has been addressed for some metals (e.g., Pb and Hg), but the question remains open for the molecular composition of organic matter (pOM). Here, we explore this issue by...

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Main Authors: Antonio Martínez Cortizas, Ainé Francos Golán, Mohamed Traoré, Olalla López-Costas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Soil Systems
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/9/1/14
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author Antonio Martínez Cortizas
Ainé Francos Golán
Mohamed Traoré
Olalla López-Costas
author_facet Antonio Martínez Cortizas
Ainé Francos Golán
Mohamed Traoré
Olalla López-Costas
author_sort Antonio Martínez Cortizas
collection DOAJ
description In peat research, the question often arises as to how similar/different the records of cores collected in the same mire are. This has been addressed for some metals (e.g., Pb and Hg), but the question remains open for the molecular composition of organic matter (pOM). Here, we explore this issue by analysing two cores from a raised bog, combining FTIR-ATR, mid-infrared (MIR) indices, and principal component analysis (PCA), and support the interpretation with multilinear regression (MLR) modelling of peat physical (colour) and elemental (C, N, and C/N) properties. The MIR indices and principal components showed depth patterns mainly related to long- and short-term peat decomposition, as well as other secondary changes involving some compounds (e.g., lignin). The depth records of the two cores are remarkably similar, indicating they were synchronously affected by the same processes and to almost the same degree. Cellulose crystallinity was the only property that showed differences in intensity. The good-to-excellent fitting of the MLR models supports the usefulness of FTIR-ATR in peat research. Further studies in a larger number of cores, from the same peatland and from different types of peatlands, are needed to better understand the spatio-temporal responses of the pOM and the factors involved.
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spelling doaj-art-fa80fdc845aa4499b4568ccf14bc7a632025-08-20T03:43:54ZengMDPI AGSoil Systems2571-87892025-02-01911410.3390/soilsystems9010014A Two-Part Harmony: Changes in Peat Molecular Composition in Two Cores from an Ombrotrophic Peatland (Tremoal do Pedrido, Xistral Mountains, NW Spain)Antonio Martínez Cortizas0Ainé Francos Golán1Mohamed Traoré2Olalla López-Costas3CRETUS, EcoPast (GI-1553), Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainCRETUS, EcoPast (GI-1553), Area of Archaeology Department of History, Facultade de Xeografía e Historia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainAdvanced Materials Department, Fundación Centro Tecnológico de Investigación Multisectorial (CETIM), 15180 Culleredo, SpainCRETUS, EcoPast (GI-1553), Area of Archaeology Department of History, Facultade de Xeografía e Historia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainIn peat research, the question often arises as to how similar/different the records of cores collected in the same mire are. This has been addressed for some metals (e.g., Pb and Hg), but the question remains open for the molecular composition of organic matter (pOM). Here, we explore this issue by analysing two cores from a raised bog, combining FTIR-ATR, mid-infrared (MIR) indices, and principal component analysis (PCA), and support the interpretation with multilinear regression (MLR) modelling of peat physical (colour) and elemental (C, N, and C/N) properties. The MIR indices and principal components showed depth patterns mainly related to long- and short-term peat decomposition, as well as other secondary changes involving some compounds (e.g., lignin). The depth records of the two cores are remarkably similar, indicating they were synchronously affected by the same processes and to almost the same degree. Cellulose crystallinity was the only property that showed differences in intensity. The good-to-excellent fitting of the MLR models supports the usefulness of FTIR-ATR in peat research. Further studies in a larger number of cores, from the same peatland and from different types of peatlands, are needed to better understand the spatio-temporal responses of the pOM and the factors involved.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/9/1/14FTIR-ATRraised bogpeat organic matter
spellingShingle Antonio Martínez Cortizas
Ainé Francos Golán
Mohamed Traoré
Olalla López-Costas
A Two-Part Harmony: Changes in Peat Molecular Composition in Two Cores from an Ombrotrophic Peatland (Tremoal do Pedrido, Xistral Mountains, NW Spain)
Soil Systems
FTIR-ATR
raised bog
peat organic matter
title A Two-Part Harmony: Changes in Peat Molecular Composition in Two Cores from an Ombrotrophic Peatland (Tremoal do Pedrido, Xistral Mountains, NW Spain)
title_full A Two-Part Harmony: Changes in Peat Molecular Composition in Two Cores from an Ombrotrophic Peatland (Tremoal do Pedrido, Xistral Mountains, NW Spain)
title_fullStr A Two-Part Harmony: Changes in Peat Molecular Composition in Two Cores from an Ombrotrophic Peatland (Tremoal do Pedrido, Xistral Mountains, NW Spain)
title_full_unstemmed A Two-Part Harmony: Changes in Peat Molecular Composition in Two Cores from an Ombrotrophic Peatland (Tremoal do Pedrido, Xistral Mountains, NW Spain)
title_short A Two-Part Harmony: Changes in Peat Molecular Composition in Two Cores from an Ombrotrophic Peatland (Tremoal do Pedrido, Xistral Mountains, NW Spain)
title_sort two part harmony changes in peat molecular composition in two cores from an ombrotrophic peatland tremoal do pedrido xistral mountains nw spain
topic FTIR-ATR
raised bog
peat organic matter
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/9/1/14
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