Publication Date:
2021-03-29
Description:
Sphagnum moss is the dominant plant type inmodern boreal and (sub)arctic ombrotrophic bogs and is of particular
interest due to its sensitivity to climate and its important role in wetland biogeochemistry. Here we reconstruct the
occurrence of Sphagnum moss – and associated biogeochemical change – within a thermally immature,
early Paleogene (~55 Ma) lignite from Schöningen, NW Germany using a high-resolution, multi-proxy
approach. Changes in the abundance of Sphagnum-type spores and the C23/C31 n-alkane ratio indicate the
expansion of Sphagnum moss within the top of the lignite seam. This Sphagnum moss expansion is associated
with the development of waterlogged conditions, analogous to what has been observed within modern
ombrotrophic bogs. The similarity between biomarkers and palynology also indicates that the C23/C31 n-alkane
ratio may be a reliable chemotaxonomic indicator for Sphagnum during the early Paleogene. The δ13C value of
bacterial hopanes and mid-chain n-alkanes indicates that a rise in water table is not associated with a substantial
increase in aerobic methanotrophy. The absence of very low δ13C values within the top of the seam could reflect
either less methanogenesis or less efficient methane oxidation under waterlogged sulphate-rich conditions.
Keywords:
Paleocene; Eocene; bryophyte; Sphagnum bog
;
551
Language:
English
Type:
article
,
publishedVersion
Permalink
