Morphology, chemical properties, and radiocarbon dating of eutrophic peat in Turkey

Morphologies, classifications, chemical properties and radiocarbon dates of Akgöl–Sakarya peatland located in the northwestern part of Turkey, which has never been studied up to now, were investigated. Three representative profiles were excavated in the study area and soil samples were taken based on soil horizons. Additionally, soil samples were taken at the different depths in each profile for radiocarbon dating. Accretion rates changed between 1.40 and 1.69 mm year^− 1 according to ¹⁴C measurements. Radiocarbon ages ranged between 365 ± 90 and 195 ± 50 years depending on sampling depth. Profile I was Sapric Haplohemist, profile II was Hydric Haplohemist and profile III was Typic Haplosaprist. Soil properties varied widely depending on the profiles. Fibre contents were between 9.4% and 34.7% due to degree of organic matter decomposition. pH and ECe values varied between 4.20–6.62 and 0.51–2.50 dS m⁻¹, respectively. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged from 100 to 140 cmol kg⁻¹. Total nitrogen and phosphorus ranged from 0.78% to 1.82% and from 0.45% to1.03%, respectively. Total calcium contents were between 1.44% to 3.25%, and magnesium contents varied from 0.22 to 0.71%. Both nutrients were higher in the surface horizons of profiles I and II. Total Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B contents varied considerably among profiles. It was found that total amounts of Fe, Zn, Cu and B in samples were between 4660–16220 mg kg^− 1, 89–451 mg kg^− 1, 16–57 mg kg^− 1, 3–11 mg kg^− 1 and 12–37 mg kg^− 1, respectively. Cr, Ni and Pb contents in peat samples were 22–55 mg kg^− 1, 24–58 mg kg^− 1, and 3–93 mg kg^− 1, respectively. However, there was no Cd and Hg detected. It was observed that seasonal ground water fluctuations, eutrophic formation and differences in decomposition degrees have a substantial effect on changing of morphological and chemical properties of organic soils in the study area.