Report of Environmental and Palaeoclimatic Changes

Report of Environmental and Palaeo climaticalalal ChangesA multi- deputy report of environmental and palaeoclimatic changes. insertionThe question as to whether peat stratigraphy could be apply as an archive of yesteryear clime change was unresolved in the 1970s (Aaby, 1976). Peats where utilize as sedimentary archives from which only pollen could be special(a)cted. to a greater extent(prenominal)over, it was long believed that peats growth was cyclical. repayable too scientific advances deep down theories and techniques peat flush toilet now be used to derive some(prenominal) uncertains that argon inherent indoors the structure of peat bogs and whence the study of peat embodies a library of characteristics that show various variables by dint of-time, relevant to clime changes.Peat tin be accurately used to reconstruct past climatic conditions. This is shown through changes in colour from joyouser to muddieder which indicates soggy or dryer respites (Barber et al, 2000). When observed the colours at heart peat can indicate the composition of what climactic variables were during its accumulation. A lighter coloured peat would be associated to an environment cooler in temperature with to a greater extent downfall and darker peat with more high percent of organic fertilizer framework mystify and would show a heater clime with less rush (Chiverrell, 2001). Additionally, overdue to the absence of Oxygen within waterlogged peat bogs, the peat becomes keep this in-turn can be studied due to how well preserved peat bogs remain through-time.The pattern of palaeoclimatology is the study of climatic changes on Earth, in regards to the Earths history as a whole. Palaeoclimatology can be used through many various proxy methods to obtain entropy preserved within sediments, rocks, tree rings, Peat and testator amoebae.AimsThe aims of the multi-proxy investigation into Holcroft Moss were toTo investigate recent clime changeTo study the l evel of extent anthropogenic features have wedge on the surrounding environmentHutton and Lyell described the term, Uniformitarianism, as the assumption that the selfsame(prenominal) natural laws and processes that operate in the universe now have unendingly operated in the universe in the past and apply everywhere in the universe. This can be applied to peat and allows for nearly modern sidereal day accuracy on analysed selective information due to the rule of uniformitarianism and its role in end-to-end nature.Study SiteHolcroft Moss, Cheshire, is located 10 miles west from the urban center of Manchester and is give just south of a major motorway the M62 ( go in 1). The turn up itself is a place of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1991 (Natural Eng unload, 1991). Managed and owned by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust on behalf of Natural England. It is essential to vanquish preserve this site as much as possible, due to this Cheshire Wildlife Trust have added wildlife such(prenominal) as cattle and sheep to constantly maintain the arena through crop whilst withal actively clearing trees and shrubbery to maintain the water table to a stable level (Cheshire Biodiversity, 2008). It is crucial that the site is kept waterlogged to varying breaker points as this helps contain levels of ascorbic acid within the site and the carbon does non leech out into the surrounding environment. Correct preservation of carbon within the peat bog itself permits for an analyses that windlessness abides by the law of uniformitarianism, allowing for good info to be collected with regards to previous climatic activity.Holcroft Moss has been studied since the 1960s in drift to better understand past climatic changes, this was first through with(p) through the study of pollen within the site barely through scientific advances and-time many of these first case studies have been discredited because these early techniques are non up to the standards of modern day, technological quality and methods. The information from data collected during the 1960s and mid-seventies is not as reliable as more recent studies. see 1 The location of Holcroft Moss (University of Edinburgh, 2013)(Ordnance Survey).Methodology intravenous feeding data sets where collected to then in turn be analysed. Pollen preps where done for students upon for the interpretation of data. Standard procedures were followed for the laboratory preparation and analyses of pollen, Humification, plant macrofossils and XRF models (Moore et al 1991, Blackford Chambers, 1993) where followed.Results join DescriptionDepth of internality (cm)Description0 4 dim Brown (0 1cm)Dark Brown (1 2cm)Light Brown (2 4cm)Small amounts of organic real(a)4 22Darker than previous smack (0 4cm) (Very dark brownedish) tall amounts of organic square22 42Organic material representLight brown42 58Very dark brownSome organic material58 72Very dark Brown almost black in colourSome sections ar e light brown.Very little organic material72 80Black peat with sections of medium brown involved in organic material80 95BlackNo/little organic material95 100BlackNo organic materialdense remit 1 Description of 100cm core from LJMU interpreted in October 2014 from Holcroft Moss, Cheshire, UK.Table 1 shows eight sections within a 100m core taken from Holcroft moss in October 2014. These eight sections where divided by the group and studied for their various contrasting characteristics. These eight sections show with in them, noveltyal phases inherent to the peat bog. The light brown layers indicate poorly humified peat display, a drippy, cooler climatic shift indicating a time with more precipitation. The darker brown studys and black part within the 100m core show a warmer climate with less precipitation and possible influences from another source roughly the environment of the peat bog.Pollen AnalysisFigure 2 Pollen Diagram for Holcroft Moss, Cheshire, UK.The pollen diagr am has a radiocarbon date at 50cm insight and the pollen results can be used to determine an age for the pep pill part of the profile. Pollen studied has been expressed demo the percentage (%) of total land pollen. The pollen analysis is split into five zones (HOL- 1-5) and percentage of tree, shrubs and herbs is represented end-to-end these zones which can also indicated the type of climatic environment the peat bog inhabited.Different zones at Holcroft Moss, Cheshire. Comparing honests of tree, shrub, herbs and spore species end-to-end that period.Depth (cm)ZonePollen name(s)Avg %Additional information.0 15HOL-5Betula (Birch) grass family (Grass family)- 30- 53Betula (Birch) will annex dry bog areas and areas around a dry bog. Poaceae (Grass) is apt(predicate) to be derived from both local anaesthetic and regional sources. Hol-5 shows a dry climate.15 35HOL-4 sphagnum (Bog moss)Poaceae (Grass family)heath family (Heather family)- 24- 30- 30Sphagnum (Bog Moss) often aris es on wet areas of a bog. As utter above Poaceae can be derived from both local and regional sources.Additionally, the introduction of Ericaceae (Heather family) Found locally. Hol-4 shows a wetter climate.35 60HOL-3Sphagnum (Bog moss)Poaceae (Grass family)Cyperaceae (Sedge family)Ericaceae (Heather Family)- 22- 18- 24- 16Hol-3 shows a climate similar to Hol-4, with the introduction of Cyperaceae (Sedge family) a herb which is open extra-local or regional.60 80HOL-2Sphagnum (Bog moss)Ericaceae (Heather family)Corylus Avellana (Hazel)Myrica Gale (Bog Myrtle)Ainus Glutinosa (Alder)Quercus (Oak)Betula (Birch)- 25- 25.5- 17.5- 9-16- 9-10.5In comparison to Hol-3 the climatic conditions are similar but probably slightly warmer, due to the same fair percentage of Sphagnum which represents a wetter climate. However, Hol-2 shows an introduction of many various tress. Herbs, spores and shrubs, many regional or extra local such as Oak, birch, Alder and Hazel. And also Myrica Gale (Bog Myr tle) a peat land shrub which grows in dry split of a bog at only a 9 % average throughout, representing a slightly warmer climate.80 105HOL-1Sphagnum (Bog moss)Poaceae (Grass family)Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)Ericaceae (Heather Family)Corylus Avellana (Hazel)Myrica Gale (Bog Myrtle)Ainus Glutinosa (Alder)Quercus (Oak)Betula (Birch)- 45- 5- 9- 20- 9- 11- 17- 9- 14Hol-1 shows a very wet climate with Sphagnum (bog moss) having an average of 45% in comparison to the other four zones which are frame at only half the amount of sphagnum. Many regional and extra local pollen spores are found and Myrica Gale (Bog Myrtle) has increased slightly showing a possible change in climate.testator Amoebae AnalysisFigure 3 testate amoebae ordered left to right according to perspicaciousness of water table for Holcroft Moss, Cheshire, UK.Figure 3 shows the levels of reasonableness 0-100cm where different Testate Amoebae are located. Throughout a 100cm peat core taken from Holcroft Moss, Cheshire i n October 2014. A high number of Cyclopyxis Arcelloides are found at profunditys from 0-10cm after this depth hardly any trace is found of Cyclopyxis Arcelloides.Hyalosphenia Subflava associated with a drier climate and a lower water table spikes throughout 15 -25cm. This species decreases from 25-30cm where Arcella Discoides competes and is oft found in percentage (20-80%) throughout the depths of 25-85cm.Hyalosphenia Subflava reoccurs after 20-25cm and is the dominate species of testator amoebae found throughout 30-50cm, 55-60cm and from 75-100cm. Other testate amoebae which can be found throughout 30-75 cm are Assunlina Muscorum, assulina seminulum, archeralla flavum and archerella wrightianum in varying amounts all competing with distributively other, some of these Testate Amoebae are more suited to the conditions of a wetter higher water table such as Archerella Flavum however, others at the depth of 35-70cm prefer a drier low water table, such as Assunlina Muscorum. Many of these species reduce in percentage after a depth of 75cm for Hyalosphenia Subflava to become the dominate testate amoebae species found in Holcroft Moss which indicates a drier climate with a lower water table.Humification selective informationFigure 4 Humification data. Annotated showing varying levels of light transmission. Taken from 100m core, Holcroft moss, Cheshire. October 2014.Figure 4 shows different climatic periods. These are taken from the Humification data which analyses levels of light transmission outlet through a sample. Throughout the 100m core taken. The data was analysed and collectively send together to be interpreted. The data shows different climates variants throughout time the 100cm peat sample had been accumulating.At lower depths the sample represents a wetter climate, then throughout the middle it indicates a drier climate to then go sticker into a wetter climate throughout the top 20cm.X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) DataFigure 5 XRF analysis for contract ( Pb) tightfistedness in parts per million (PPM) showing down core trends. Annotated showing radio carbon dates. Holcroft Moss, Cheshire. October 2014.Figure 5 shows low levels of lead (Pb) within peat. From 1880 AD and earlier, in that respect are only minor amounts of Pb found within the depths of 30-100cm. However at 30-0cm the peat shows a much higher concentration of Pb this is around the time of 1880 AD (the industrial revolution). After this time Pb concentration found within Holcroft moss increases up to 800+ PPM for 92 years (1972) after this Pb concentration declines into 200 PPM for current day.DiscussionTo further understand the palaeoclimatic reconstruction from the peat bog located at Holcroft Moss, the proxy data is combined, and considered from all the proxies data studied. This allows for a clearer, more incise data set shown rather than a singular proxy was only studied like in the 1970s (Barber, 2009).Data from the multi-proxy study into Holcroft Moss and the pas t climatic changes throughout a 100cm core taken shows representative evidences which allows for the correct interpretation of these data sets to allow for a better evidence in understanding past climatic changes. For example, go for 3 and 4 give insight into corresponding wet and dry climatic shifts, this is shown through testate Amoebae species and through the Humification of peat samples from Holcroft Moss.Wet and Cool climatic shifts.To correctly analyses wet and cool climatic shifts Humification data (figure 4) allows for the interpretation of light transmission. Throughout this data set there are indications to a wetter climate with more precipitation throughout the poorly humified peat this is found throughout 0cm-18cm and also from 80-105cm. Poorly Humfied peat suggest a cooler climate due to the high levels of light transmission found throughout these areas of the sample taken, this also indicates more precipitation at the time (Chiverrell, 2001).When comparing Humificatio n data to the Testate Amoebae study (figure 3) it shows two periods where a wet, cooler climate is found, indicated due to the types of species found within the testate amoebae 100cm core taken. When analysed there are subatomic shifts surrounded by 20-25cm, with a change in species throughout 35-85cm, the dominant testate amoebae being Archerella Flavum which represents a higher water table and that of an environment which has more precipitation, indicating a wet and cool climatic shift.Dry and Warm climatic Shifts.When comparing Humification (figure 4) data to testate amoebae (figure 3) data to analyses periods of warmer climates it is evident that throughout 20-85cm the climate was a wetter cooler climate with high levels of precipitation. However, between 5-20cm and 85-100cm the dominant species is Hyalosphenia Subflava. The species reoccurs from depths at 5-20, 30-50, 55-60, 70-85, 90 and 100cm the presence of Hyalosphenia Subflava would indicate a dry, warmer climate. Howeve r, when compared to Humification data, some of these dry shift are not shown, this may be due to the fact Humification data may not show crafty changes in an environment whereas a living organising depends on certain characteristics within the environment which show some subtle changes in climate that Humification data could not determine correctly. The data from Humification may show altering data presenting longer wetter phase in climate but when compared to Testate Amoebae data the evidences sometimes shows the opposite indicating a dry warm climatic shift, these errors are found usually found with in a transition period in the climate, this may be why data is interpreted different due to the reason variables within the peat are changing.Human ImpactsThe best evidence within the study of multi-proxies to test on how much engagement anthropogenic features have within the environment of the peat bog is found within the XRF data. the evidences shows lead (Pb) in PPM within peat at Holcroft Moss (1280 AD and earlier to present day). From 1280 AD the presence of Pb was hardly an influence within the peat bog, this changed from 1880 AD onwards, which was due to the introduction of lead within the environment. Pb in PPM throughout the Holcroft Moss sample constantly rises for 92 years, to then decrease (1972 AD) However, these levels are yet high concentrations of PB and are found at (200+ PPM).From 1880 -1972 AD lead constantly rises and this would coincide with the industrial revolution, which includes the introduction of engines which used lead, this input from mankind based activities towards the environment is clearly shown in the XRF data and the Pb percentage drops in the 1980s which coincides with the replacement of leaded petrol to unleaded petrol, it is more than likely that the use of automobiles, especially with Holcroft Moss being located so shoemakers last to the M62 had an influence on Pb input throughout the time of 1880-1972AD and still cont inues to this day.ConclusionThe Multi-proxy study of palaeoclimatic changes within the Earth through data sets taken from Holcroft Moss allow for a reconstruction of previous climates at that time this peat was accumulating.Holcroft Moss, Cheshire is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) as the site allows for nine-fold outputs of data, which can in turn be used for an approach of how aspects within the accumulation of peat have changed through-time. Peat bogs do not rely on extraneous factors to influence growth and production of peat. The system is sustainable and constant, with the only variable changing its characteristics being climate and the input of regional/extra local inputs, natural or anthropogenic. Due to this, outside factors influencing or affecting the area have a minor effect of the full development of a peat but can still be measured precisely showing a clear and accurate reconstruction of past environments and climates.ReferencesAaby, B., 1976. Cyclic cli matic variations in climate over the past 5500 years reflected in raised(a) bogs. Nature 263, 281284Barber, K. E. et al. 2000. Replicated proxy-climate signals over the last 2000 yr from two distant UK peat bogs sweet evidence for regional palaeoclimate telecommunications. Quaternary Science Reviews. Volume 19. pp. 481-487.Blackford, J.J. and Chambers, F.M. (1993). Determining the degree of peat decomposition for peat-based palaeoclimatic studies. internationalist Peat journal 5, 7-24.Barber, P. (2009). Peat stratigraphy and climate change. Quaternary International, online Quaternary International 268(2012) 18. Available at https//www.southampton.ac.uk/assets/imported/transforms/peripheral-block/UsefulDownloads_Download/7AC7018960094F5290E62B8298DCABE4/keb_biography_qi_2012_editorial.pdf Accessed 21 Jan. 2015.Chiverrell, R. C. 2001. A proxy record of late Holocene climate change from May Moss, northeast England. Journal of Quaternary Science. Volume 16. pp. 9-29.Moore, P.D., Webb , J.A. Collinson, M.E. (1991). Pollen Analysis, Blackwell, Oxford.WebsitesNatural England, (1991). Holcroft Moss. online Available at http//www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1006461.pdf Accessed 16 Jan. 2015.