Major and Trace Element Accumulation in Fen Peat from Elki and Viki Mires in Western Latvia

The purpose of this paper is to study the characteristics of the major and trace element accumulation in fen peat of two minerotrophic mires located in depressions of the Austrumkursa Highland. Concentration of the 13 elements and their occurrence in fen peat was determined by using atomic absorption spectrometry. These elements reflect the processes during mire development, impact of botanical composition, moisture and peat decomposition degree. The upper layers of the peat profile show predominantly anthropogenic impacts and precipitation effects, while characteristics of the lower layers indicate groundwater flow/saturation effects. It is important to find out how changes in fen peat characteristics in the upper peat layers depend on element accumulation, which can be affected by human activities and how they are different in comparison to the characteristics of lower peat layers excluded from anthropogenic impact.