The methodological basis for fine-resolution, multi-proxy reconstructions of ombrotrophic peat bog surface wetness
Amesbury, Matthew J., Barber , Keith E. and Hughes, Paul D.M. (2010) The methodological basis for fine-resolution, multi-proxy reconstructions of ombrotrophic peat bog surface wetness. Boreas, 40, (1), 161-174. (doi:10.1111/j.1502-3885.2010.00152.x).
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Description/Abstract
The need for Holocene peat-based palaeoclimatic records of increased temporal resolution has been widely identified in recent research. The often rapid growth rates of ombrotrophic bogs, when combined with fine-resolution (i.e. millimetre-scale) sampling, provide an as yet largely unexploited potential to derive sub-decadal palaeoclimatic data from this proxy-archive. However, multi-proxy, fine-resolution analyses require changes to standard methodologies, and the application of sampling techniques that are new to peat-based palaeoclimate research. A peat sampler was custom-built to allow precise and replicable millimetre-scale subsampling. Subsequent methodological testing revealed that, irrespective of sample thickness (i.e. resolution), halving the standard sample volume used for plant macrofossil (from 4 cm3 to 2 cm3) and testate amoebae (from 2 cm3 to 1 cm3) analyses and the sample weight used for peat humification analysis (from 0.2 g to 0.1 g dried peat) did not affect the interpretation of the results. A contiguous 1-mm sampling resolution for plant macrofossil analysis was also tested, but it was found that contiguous 5-mm samples provided a more reliable background record to fine-resolution testate amoebae and peat humification analyses. Based on these findings, a standardized and systematic methodological approach was developed, using the custom-built peat slicer to take millimetre-scale samples that provide enough sample material for both testate amoebae and peat humification analyses to be performed at 1-mm resolution. This approach will facilitate the testing of the palaeoclimatic reliability of multi-proxy, fine-resolution peat-based records.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| ISSNs: | 0300-9483 (print) 1502-3885 (electronic) |
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) |
| Divisions: | University Structure - Pre August 2011 > School of Geography > Environmental Processes and Change |
| Item ID: | 151871 |
| Date Deposited: | 12 May 2010 14:44 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Mar 2012 12:35 |
| Contributors: | Amesbury, Matthew J. (Author) Barber , Keith E. (Author) Hughes, Paul D.M. (Author) |
| Date: | 23 April 2010 |
| Status: | Published |
| URI: | http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/151871 |
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