Rewetting drained peatlands through subsoil infiltration stabilises redox-dependent soil carbon and nutrient dynamics

• DOI: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2024.116787
• Publication Date: 2024-01-25T06:51:15Z
• Authors: Sarah F. Harpensl...; Gijs van Dijk; Jim Boonman; Stefan T.J. Weide...; Bas P. van de Riet; Mariet M. Hefting; Alfons J.P. Smolders
• Keywords: Subsoil; Infiltration (HVAC); Soil carbon

Centuries of drainage have stimulated peat decomposition. To counteract the resulting increase in greenhouse gas emission and land subsidence Dutch agricultural peatlands, passive active subsurface infiltration (SSI) systems been developed for peatland rewetting. Here, we studied effects SSI on groundwater levels, porewater composition redox potential four drained peatlands Netherlands to determine how soil processes are affected, especially carbon nutrient dynamics. For three years, levels were measured continuously, samples collected 8–10 times per year paired (active passive) control plots. plots had higher summer less seasonal fluctuation than Redox reflected dominance oxidation during dry periods upper layers, whereas showed reduction these layers throughout year. These differences between strongest at locations with systems. Our results show that can be effective measures raise stabilise which more stable zonation anaerobic processes, when applied. On short term, a switch from oxic anoxic conditions cause mobilisation phosphorus ammonium, while longer term application lead substantial change Understanding full implementing other mitigation is important before they applied large scale.