CHARACTERIZATION OF PB-210 DATED PEAT CORE BY VARIOUS X-RAY-FLUORESCENCE TECHNIQUES

Ombrotrophic peat bogs form an independent ecosystem fed by atmospheri c precipitation. There is a correlation between depth and time, thus s ections of peat taken from various depths can indicate the deposition of several elements from both natural and anthropogenic sources. A pea t core of 40 cm in length was taken from a peat bog in southern Poland and cut into 2-cm sections. The peat core was dated using the natural radionuclide Pb-210. Additionally, pollen analysis was performed in o rder to corroborate the Pb-210 dating. Eighteen elements and the ash c ontent have been determined in all peat sections. Energy Dispersive X- ray Fluorescence analysis (EDXRF) was applied in this work for simulta neous elemental analysis. The concentration depth profiles for the det ermined elements and ash content profile were constructed. The results show strong time-dependent variations in the concentrations of the di fferent elements. An interpretation of the data is given and correlati on between possible influencing factors is discussed. High concentrati ons of Pb and Zn indicate their anthropogenic origin. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.