Indicator Significance of the Extinction Coefficients of the Alkaline Extracts of Weakly Decomposed Peats for Reconstructing the Hydrothermal Conditions of Western Siberian Bogs

Abstract

The paper presents the results of comprehensive studies of the general technical properties and electronic spectra of the humus substances of the Boltnoe high-moor peat section with a thickness of 720 cm (southern taiga in Western Siberia). It was found that high-moor peats mainly exhibited low degrees of decomposition (on average, 10%) and humification (0.6). Considerable variations in the degree of humification (0.14–1.30) within the deposit were established; the extinction coefficients of the alkaline extracts of peat varied over wide ranges: E465 0.25–2.41 and E665 0.08–0.43. A crucial effect of the botanical composition of peat on the spectral coefficients was established. A decrease in the indicator significance of the extinction coefficients of the alkaline extracts of weakly decomposed peats for the reconstruction of the hydrothermal conditions of Western Siberian bogs was found.