Variation in the Mercury Concentrations and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Pristine and Managed Hemiboreal Peatlands

Arta Bārdule (), Linda Gerra-Inohosa, Ivars Kļaviņš, Zane Kļaviņa, Krišs Bitenieks, Aldis Butlers, Andis Lazdiņš and Zane Lībiete
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Arta Bārdule: Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’ (LSFRI Silava), Rigas Str. 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Linda Gerra-Inohosa: Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’ (LSFRI Silava), Rigas Str. 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Ivars Kļaviņš: Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’ (LSFRI Silava), Rigas Str. 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Zane Kļaviņa: Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’ (LSFRI Silava), Rigas Str. 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Krišs Bitenieks: Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’ (LSFRI Silava), Rigas Str. 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Aldis Butlers: Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’ (LSFRI Silava), Rigas Str. 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Andis Lazdiņš: Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’ (LSFRI Silava), Rigas Str. 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
Zane Lībiete: Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’ (LSFRI Silava), Rigas Str. 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: We assessed total mercury (THg) concentrations and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in pristine and managed hemiboreal peatlands in Latvia, aiming to identify environmental factors that potentially affect their variation. The THg concentrations in soil ranged from <1 µg kg −1 to 194.4 µg kg −1 . No significant differences between THg concentrations in disturbed and undisturbed peatlands were found, however, the upper soil layer in the disturbed sites had significantly higher THg concentration. During May–August, the mean CO 2 emissions (autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration) from the soil ranged from 20.1 ± 5.0 to 104.6 ± 22.7 mg CO 2 -C m −2 h −1 , N 2 O emissions ranged from −0.97 to 13.4 ± 11.6 µg N 2 O-N m −2 h −1 , but the highest spatial variation was found for mean CH 4 emissions—ranging from 30.8 ± 0.7 to 3448.9 ± 1087.8 µg CH 4 -C m −2 h −1 . No significant differences in CO 2 and N 2 O emissions between disturbed and undisturbed peatlands were observed, but CH 4 emissions from undisturbed peatlands were significantly higher. Complex impacts of environmental factors on the variation of THg concentrations and GHG emissions were identified, important for peatland management to minimize the adverse effects of changes in the biogeochemical cycle of the biophilic elements of soil organic matter and contaminants, such as Hg.

Keywords: mercury; GHG emissions; peatland; peatland management; hemiboreal zone (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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