Geochemistry and Sedimentology of a Minerotrophic Peat in a Western Mediterranean Mountain Wilderness Area

Sedimentological and biogeochemical measurements were conducted on minerotrophic peat in a wilderness area granitic plateau to reconstruct the local ecosystem’s history clarify peat’s response global changes. The is less than 1900 years old. Its clay iron (Fe) concentration profiles revealed an increasing atmospheric influx over time, whereas levels of its nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg) have increased since 19th century. Additionally, changes relative abundance amorphous aluminium indicated gradual decrease soil weathering. dominant metallic trace elements cadmium during Roman epoch early Middle Ages, then lead mercury modern industrial eras. Unexpectedly, proved be sub-modern lacks wildfire proxies, probably indicating absence nearby woodlands last years. concentrations Ca Mg indicate that airborne transport particles released by erosion lowland agricultural plains has strongly affected composition 18th–19th site also been heavily influenced contamination due regional metallurgy agriculture, producing modified social imprints several centuries.