Palsa Uplift Identified by Stable Isotope Depth Profiles and Relation of δ15N to C/N Ratio

Palsas develop as permafrost aggradation uplifts peat out of the zone influenced by groundwater. Here we relate δ15N values to C/N ratios along depth profiles through palsas in two peatlands near Abisko, northern Sweden, to identify perturbation of the peat. The perturbation by uplift as well as the potential nutrient input from the adjacent hollows can be detected in soil δ15N values when related to the C/N ratio at the same depth. Nine out of ten profiles show a perturbation at the depth where peat was uplifted by permafrost. Palsa uplift could be detected by the δ15N depth pattern, with the highest δ15N values at the so-called turning point. The δ15N values increase above and decrease below the turning point, when permafrost initiated uplift. Onset of permafrost aggradation calculated from peat accumulation rates was between 80 and 545 years ago, with a mean of 242 ( ±66) years for Stordalen and 365 ( ±53) years for Storflaket peatland. The mean ages of permafrost aggradation are within the Little Ice Age. Depth profiles of δ15N, when related to C/N ratio, seem to be a suitable tool to detect perturbation and uplift of palsas.

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