Contaminated sediment dynamics in peatland
headwater catchments

Shuttleworth, E; Clay, G; Evans, M; Hutchinson, SM; Rothwell, J

Abstract

Purpose
Despite substantial research into Pb storage in
peatlands, formal description of the mechanisms of contaminated sediment mobilisation is limited. This study explores the controlling factors of contaminated sediment dynamics in an eroding peatland in the Peak District National Park, UK.
Materials and methods
This study uses the Pb contamination stored near the peat’s surface as a fingerprint to trace contaminated
sediment dynamics in three severely degraded headwater
catchments. A field portable XRF analyser was used across
a range of catchment surfaces to examine patterns of contaminant storage and release.
Results and discussion
Lead concentrations varied greatly over a small spatial scale. Erosion is exposing high concentrations
of Pb on interfluve surfaces (up to 1660 μg g−1), and
substantial amounts of reworked contaminated material (up to 1010 μg g−1) are stored on other catchment surfaces (gully walls and floors). A variety of factors have been shown to significantly control Pb release and storage in this environment, including wind action, aspect, and gully depth. Vegetation also plays an important role in retaining sediment-bound heavy metals within contaminated peat catchments.

Citation

headwater catchments. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 17(11), 2637-2647. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-017-1674-8

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 27, 2017
• Publication Date: Feb 10, 2017
• Deposit Date: Mar 17, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Soils and Sediments
• Print ISSN: 1439-0108
• Electronic ISSN: 1614-7480
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 2637-2647
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-017-1674-8
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11368-017-1674-8
• Related Public URLs: http://link.springer.com/journal/11368