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GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES, VOL. 13, NO. 1, PAGES 71–79, 1999

Carbon Accumulation in the Mineral Subsoil of Boreal Mires

Jukka Turunen

Department of Biology, University of Joensuu, Joensuu, Finl


Kimmo Tolonen

Department of Biology, University of Joensuu, Joensuu, Finl


Satu Tolvanen

Department of Biology, University of Joensuu, Joensuu, Finl


Markku Remes

Department of Forest Ecology, University of Helsinki, Finl


Jaana Ronkainen

Department of Geology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finl


Högne Jungner

Dating Laboratory, University of Helsinki, Finl


Abstract

The carbon density and the long-term (apparent) rate of carbon accumulation (LORCA) in the mineral subsoil of boreal mires in Finland formed by paludification were studied by comparison to adjacent forest soil sites with similar podzolic texture and topography. On the basis of 273 soil profiles from six areas, the mean carbon density in the mineral subsoil of mire sites was 1.5-fold higher than in adjacent forest profiles. The average carbon input was 13.6 ± 1.8 (SE) g m−2 yr−1 which differed according to length of time since the onset of paludification. LORCA estimates were highest on the youngest mire sites (< 500 years) and agree with estimates obtained for peat deposits elsewhere in the boreal region. Bogs and topographically flat areas were found to have higher LORCA values than the fens and the topographically steeper areas. The carbon stored in podzols in boreal forest reach equilibrium with soil age after 1500-2000 years, while in the mineral subsoil of mires the equilibrium is reached after 4500-5000 years after initial paludification. A direct comparison of carbon below mires to the equivalent depths of peat above indicates that peats are much more efficient in C sequestration. In this study, the average total C density in the mineral subsoil of mire areas to a depth of 70 cm from the bottom of the A horizon would correspond to a peat depth of about 18 cm. Still, the mineral subsoil under mires is a significant carbon sink, hitherto overlooked, and could account for some 5% of the unaccounted for carbon in the global carbon budget.

Received 14 October 1997; accepted 1 October 1998.

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Citation: Turunen, J., K. Tolonen, S. Tolvanen, M. Remes, J. Ronkainen, and H. Jungner (1999), Carbon Accumulation in the Mineral Subsoil of Boreal Mires, Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 13(1), 71–79.