We studied the sequence of climatic and hydrological events associated with the formation of peat during the Holocene, using pollen, diatoms and environmental magnetism from peat cores at three locations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California: Browns Island, Franks Wetland and Webb Track Levee. Our data show that peat first formed under relatively dry conditions in a freshwater environment before 6.5 ka BP. Subsequently, pollen accumulation rates were highest prior to intervals with high peat accretion rates but are inversely correlated with organic accumulation rate. Intervals of high peat accretion were preceded by pulses of terrigenous material. During intensive drainage episodes, high flows delivered abundant, coarser-grained sediment to the marshes, which inundated the existing vegetation and decreased the rate of biochemical decay. The build-up of undecomposed organic material led to the acceleration of peat accretion. Our data support the rarely discussed hypothesis that most of the peat in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta formed in freshwater marshes that were fed by rivers draining from the Sierra Nevada, rather than in saltwater wetlands resulting from sea level rise and estuarine submergence. This result has important implications for current attempts to remediate and restore the Delta ecosystem.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2022 |
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Title | Environmental evolution of peat in the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta (California) during the Middle and Late Holocene as deduced from pollen, diatoms and magnetism |
DOI | 10.1016/j.quaint.2020.05.012 |
Authors | Irina Delusina, Scott W. Starratt, Kenneth L Verosub |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Quaternary International |
Index ID | 70222132 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center |