Pb and Cd Concentrations in a Southern Bavarian Bog Profile and the History of Vegetation as Recorded by Pollen Analysis

In the lower part of a raised bog profile from Langegger Filz, southern Bavaria, the Pb and Cd concentrations were comparatively low while considerably higher concentrations of both elements were observed in the upper section of the profile. The peat layers with the highest concentrations of Pb and Cd were found to date from the Iron Age, the Roman Age, and the Middle Ages. The Fagus pollen curve reflects the beginning of a beech decline exactly in those peat layers in which the start of the Pb increase is visible. Therefore it appears that metal smelting caused a local release of heavy metals which were subsequently deposited in the raised bog. Metals could only be smelted when wood was cut and burned, and beech charcoal was preferred as it produces relatively high temperatures. The good agreement between the Pb concentration profile and the pollen analyses suggests that the bog provides an accurate record of atmospheric Pb deposition.