Abstracts Earth and Environmental Sciences

Holocene paleohydrology of Viiankiaapa mire, Sodankylä, Finnish Lapland

by Enni Suonperä

In 2011 AA Sakatti Mining Oy published a promising ore discovery in Sodankylä, Finnish Lapland. The need for more knowledge led to the start of Sakatti geoenvironments -project in collaboration with the University of Helsinki. As a part of this project, the Holocene paleohydrology of Viiankiaapa mire was reconstructed. Viiankiaapa mire is located on the eastern side of Kitinen River and has developed in close connection to it. It is a large aapamire complex consisting of multiple smaller minerotrophic mire sites and bogs. Viiankiaapa conservation area was first established in 1988. A large portion of Viiankiaapa is now part of the Natura 2000 conservation network. To study the development and paleohydrology of Viiankiaapa mire, a 4.3 meter peat core (VA310315, 7497803 N/0490511 E) was collected using a Russian peat sampler. From the peat core, six specimens from increasing depth levels were sampled for age determinations to establish reliable chronology. Dating was conducted at LUOMUS Laboratory of chronology at the University of Helsinki, using 14C AMS dating method. Peat stratigraphy was studied on site and humification determined using von Post method. Physical properties of the peat (LOI550 and water content) were determined in 2 cm resolution. The colour of the ash was determined using Munsell soil color chart. Same resolution was used in geochemical analyses of 17 individual elements (C, N, S, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Al, Cu, Ni, Zn, Ti, Mn, Pb, Si). C, N, and S contents were determined using gas chromatography, while all the other elements were analyzed using ICP-MS. From the element contents, multiple ratios were calculated in order to study the Holocene deposition pattern of individual elements. Element/Ti profiles show an increase in mineral material input in c. 8 000 – 6 000 cal. BP, c. 4 800 – 3 000 cal. BP, and 2 500 – 1 900 cal. BP, suggesting enhanced flooding of Kitinen and increased humidity. Early Holocene (11 700 – 8 200 cal. BP) is indicated as a period of higher detritic material input. Waterlogged conditions, however, have most likely not been continuous during early Holocene. This is suggested by the occurrence of dark red color of iron oxide (FeO) in the ash. The occurrence of iron sulphides (possibly pyrite, FeS2) in the ash of the bottom section of the core suggests that waterlogged conditions were reached during Mid -Holocene. The 8.2k event is showcased in the profiles of multiple elements, including the main nutrients (C, N, P). These elements show significant increase after the cold event. Ca/Mg, Ca/K, and Mg/K ratios were used to estimate the trophic state of the mire and the sources of the mineral material. Also the accumulation of Pb was studied more closely. All of these factors suggest that atmospheric input and groundwater alone could not have transported the entire volume of the mineral material, and therefore river Kitinen may be considered as the main water and nutrient source until the damming of the river in 1984 and 1995. Vuonna 2011 AA Sakatti Mining Oy julkaisi…