Comparison of Metals Content in Peatlands with Different Anthropo-pressure in Welski Landscape Park (Poland)

Abstract

There are over 49,000 peat bogs in Poland, the vast majority of which occur in the north of the country, near the Baltic coast, in Masuria and Kurpie, and in the valleys of the Noteć and Biebrza. Of these, 90% are low bogs, 6% are raised bogs, and the rest are temporary forms. Peat bogs are wetland habitats, occurring mainly in moderate and cool areas. They are covered with marsh and marsh-meadow plant communities. They are characterized by the high capacity to absorb and accumulate water, which makes them a regulator of water relations, which is of great importance in steppe Poland. The main objective of the study is to find out how the contents of metals such as Ni, Zn, Fe, Ca, Pb, Cr, Al, Mg change in a peat bog with strong anthropopressure (Wąpiersk bog) and weak anthropopressure (Las Nadwelski bog) after and before vegetation. The results of the study show that the concentration of metals, especially heavy metals in peat bogs in Welski Landscape Park, is generally low. The method of used analysis was Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (WD-XRF) method. In both bogs, the concentration of heavy metals was lower in the center than on the border. This shows that heavy metals are absorbed by the peat at the border and limit further migration of the heavy metals. There are more elements such as Fe, Ca and Mg in the Las Nadwelski bog. The border of the forest received more light, which also plays an important role in decomposing plant debris, releasing metals. Heavy metals content was higher in Wąpiersk bog-a bog with higher anthropopressure. To sum up, the peat bog actively captures heavy metals, immobilizing them, and acts as a kind of "filter". Peat is a good agent for retrospective monitoring of metals migration and accumulation in the environment.