Recreating atmospheric sulphur deposition histories from peat stratigraphy: Diagenetic conditions required for signal preservation and reconstruction of past sulphur deposition in the Derbyshire Peak District, UK

摘要: Three modern pristine and one previously polluted ombrotrophic peat were sampled analysed to investigate whether the isotopic composition of atmospheric sulphur inputs could be preserved in organic fraction peats without undue alteration through syn-depositional or diagenetic effects. Peat type (reflecting environment deposition diagenesis) was shown critical determining an environmental archive within profile. Of sampled, hummock from Shetland proved most suitable exhibiting a near-constant δ34S characteristic growing vegetation upper 30 cm profile. However, only short medium term changes (<600 years) input are likely due masking effect produced by incorporation sulphide, derived bacterial sulphate reduction (BSR), into at depth. The waterlogged pools Forsinard (NE Scotland) masked sulphide throughout profile, while Abisko (N. Sweden) exposed annual freeze–thaw cycles, which appear have significant decomposition organically bound loss original depositional signal. Three types southern Pennines, area with gross history pollution during Industrial Revolution: high peat, low pool complex. In drier, types, diagenesis not found processes portions peat. Hence, alterations profile reflect that environment. peats, becomes isotopically lighter around 1400 AD, may local this time small-scale smelting lead area. Isotopic compositions become progressively still towards surface layers, correlate well excesses deposition, largely coal burning, Revolution.