i1.nd38 38 gi313.indd

38 GEOGRAPHY It isprobably causedbycreep ofpeatIt BP. datesBP isbetween 2.9and2.8ka is inversion ofthedates: thedate 3.5ka much younger, there thaninanaxialpart, the northern mostpalsaisfound. the northern The Vorkuta Settlement area nearKhanovey Settlement.In BP to 6730BPnearNikita of 3.5mhighpalsaisdated 9180 between large andsmallerpalsas. Low-moor BP.began about2.8ka There are both Near Abez’ Settlementpalsadevelopment obtained from peatof3mhighpalsa. Nadine A.Budantseva State University, e-mail State University, e-mail [email protected] e-mail *Corresponding author State University, [email protected] [email protected] e-mail 1 detail. In totaldetail. 75new In ofEuropean Russiawerepart studiedin valley andin Vorkuta area inNorth-eastern 14 Yurij K.Vasil’chuk 4 3 2 5 of 8 BP.heaving commenced6ka Anumber BP,mineral regime 7.1to 6.3ka during indicates thechangeinhydrological- BP. Alow-moorpeatof2.5mhighpalsa BP, palsabeganto heave atleast3700 moor peatin2mhighpalsadated 3690 BP. palsamire nearUsaSettlementlow In The andpalsabegan2.1ka BP.m highpalsadated from 8.6to 2.1ka Settlement3.2 palsamire nearBugry In different were palsasections obtained. ABSTRACT. IN RUSSIAN NORTH OF BOL’SHEZEMEL’SKAYA OF HOLOCENE RADIOCARBON CHRONOLOGY Department of Landscape Geochemistry and Soil Geography, andSoil ofLandscapeGeochemistry Department Lomonosov Moscow Geography, andSoil ofLandscapeGeochemistry Department Lomonosov Moscow University,Helsinki Finland, [email protected] Helsinki, e-mail Lomonosov ofGeoecology Moscow oftheNorth, State University,Laboratory Geography, andSoil ofLandscapeGeochemistry Department Lomonosov Moscow C ageofpeatatslope the palsais 14 C dates from 5.6 to 2.7 ka BPC dates from 5.6to 2.7ka

Six palsamire inUsaRiver 1* , Alla C.Vasil’chuk

[email protected] [email protected] 4 , JuliaN.Chizhova 14 C dates from 2 , HögneJungner environments in North-Eastern Europeanenvironments inNorth-Eastern formation ofpalsaindifferent geocryologic this paperisto thetimeof determine [Popov, 1967; Yevseev, 1976]. The aimof today to generallysubjected degradation BP),andarerelatively old(olderthan4–5ka assumedthatpalsasare isnormally It Magnan etal., 2012;Farbrot etal., 2013]. etal.,Seppälä, 2011;Christensen 2012; Westin, Zuidhoff, 2001;Cyr, Payette, 2010; Vasil’chuk, 1998;Allard, Rousseau, 1999; Washburn, 1983; Vasil’chuk, 1983; Vasil’chuk, [ of low-temperature continuouspermafrost are alsosufficientlycommoninthezone close to thefreezing point,althoughthey permafrost withmeanannualtemperatures They are abundantinareas ofdiscontinuous widespread forms ofpermafrost terrain. represent oneofthemost Europe;Eastern radiocarbon. residual form asaresult oferosion. this frozen moundisreal palsa,butnota downwards from asummit. This evidenced INTRODUCTION KEY WORDS: 5 Ǻ hman, 1976; Seppälä, 1986; Pissart, 1983;hman, 1976;Seppälä,1986;Pissart, palsa;permafrost; ; North- 3 , 60.039:22:16 9:22:16 26.08.2013 ggi313.indd 39 i 3 1 3 . i n d d

3 Abez’ (c) Nikita (d),Abez’ Eletskaya (e) settlements (f) Khanovey on detailed radiocarbon datinganddetailed on detailedradiocarbon cover, we have concentrated theattention growth begin accumulation ofpeat after Taking into accountthatcommonlypalsa palsa. Khanovey in cross-sectionsexcepting specialcaseof obtained from theexaminedpalsashown no ageinversions dates intheradiocarbon prevalent insuchpeat. There are virtually Autochthonous organic isusually material forappropriate dating. objects radiocarbon peat bogsrepresent oneofthemost (oligotrophic-mesotrophic) Hummocky types. moor (eutrophic) andhigh-moor-transitional to separate thepalsapeatonitslow- and theinitialstageofpalsagrowthdetermine and plantmacrofossil analysisallow to thefrostdating ofthepeatcovering mound height andageare widespread. Detailed theseareas palsasofdifferentIn configuration, Vorkuta area (Fig. 1). valleyandin UsaRiver ofRussia,north part 9 METHODS Fig. 1. Map of palsa localities mentioned in text: text: in mentioned localities palsa of 1.Fig. Map Usa River valley: near Bugry (a),Usa River valley: nearBugry Usa (b), was dated. from thepeat extract RAS thealkaline ofGeological Institute DatingLaboratory In problems involved. peat samplesandare well aware ofthe havelaboratories indating longexperience (Hel).Bothdating ofHelsinki the University at Laboratory Sciences andtheRadiocarbon (GIN)oftheRussianAcademyInstitute of oftheGeological Laboratory Radiocarbon dates wereThe radiocarbon obtainedinthe degradation, isrecorded inthepeat. suchasitsgrowth, stabilizationand history palsa. peat overlapping The wholepalsa botanical andpalynological study ofthe of the laboratory. This provided highprecision located thedates between from theother were dates from onelaboratory as follow: independently. The schemeofdatingwas simultaneouslyandboth laboratories ofpalsawerecross-sections dated in samples from themostrepresentative for themwould beabout30years. The theagecorrection laboratory Moscow be appliedalsoto theresults from the standard deviation0.7 combusting thesamplesto CO samples directlywithlithium,ratherthan is produced thepretreated byreacting conventional methodinthatlithiumcarbide out byL.Sulezhitsky, differs from themore process, The benzene-production worked spectrophotometers.channel beta-counting scintillation countingtechnique using8two- laboratories. the different methodsusedinthetwo the mean accordingly.corrected For thepeatsamples values were measured andthedates For allsamplesmeasured inHelsinki ofthepeatisdated. part innermost are thusremovedhumus fractions andthe a standard acid-alkali-acid. The fulvicand first removed andthesamples treated by rootlets were Laboratory theHelsinki In the CO 2 14 withlithium. C dates obtainedandatest on δ 13 14 C valueis–29.0 C ismeasured bytheliquid O . If thisvaluecan. If 2 andreacting O andthe δ 13 C 226.08.2013 9:22:16 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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2 GEOGRAPHY 2 : 1 6 ggi313.indd 40 i 3 1 3 . i n d d

4 40 GEOGRAPHY 0 active layeractive 0.45–0.5m –Frozen peatfrom thebottom of 0.35–0.45 m–Peat 0.17–0.35 m–Peat withleaves 0.05–0.17 m–Brown, densepeat 0.0–0.05 m–Lichenscover top to thebottom ofthepalsapit(Fig. 3, The sedimentsequenceisasfollows from the sedges ininter mounddepressions. central part. There are somegrasses and and birch of1mheightgrow onitsslopes, Dwarf depressions are located onitsperiphery. to destroy, large two present day deflation investigated (Fig. 3, ofa3.2mhighpalsawas The cross-section their heightis3mormore (Fig. 2, the palsasrangefrom 15 palsas are found atthemire. The dimensionsof – Moscow Vorkuta. About15domeshaped pointoftherailway line town atthe2070km S oftheAbez’ NofInta Settlementand72km Station(66°23΄N,61°24΄E),27km near Bugry most large Palsa Station. mires nearBugry weresections 1). obtained(Table dates from75 radiocarbon different palsa total ofEuropean Russia.In part eastern valleyandin River Vorkuta area inNorth- Six palsamires were studiedindetailUsa RESULTS Radiocarbon Radiocarbon dates (BP) 60±5 I–17 8-u/ .–. et rs o or45 50 60 60–65 Peat, grass lowmoor 55 0.7–0.8 386-YuV/7 0.6–0.7 Peat sedge-wood 65 GIN–11974 386-YuV/6 0.45–0.5 GIN–11973 8690 ±50 Peat, lowmoor sedge-wood 386-YuV/5 0.35–0.45 Peat hypnum, low moor GIN–11972 6250 ±30 386-YuV/4 Peat withleaves, 0.3–0.35 wood (birch) GIN–11971 5040 ±30 386-YuV/3 0.2–0.3 GIN–11970 Peat densebrown, grass-wood 4240 ±30 386-YuV/2 0.05–0.17 GIN–11969 3460 ±30 386-YuV/1 GIN–11968 2310 ±30 2150 ±30 Spagnum palsa (300 and Laboratory Laboratory number Ledum palustre Table 1. Radiocarbon dates of peat in palsa near Bugry Station, Station, Bugry near palsa in peat of dates Table 1. Radiocarbon a ). The palsahasbegun North-eastern part of European Russia, Usa River valley valley River Usa Russia, European of part North-eastern Ѕ Ѕ 30to 40 number 500 m) is is 500m) Field

The southern- cover the a ). Ѕ located Depth, 80 m, 80m, m a ): etfoe,gaswo ihla n ak55 Peat frozen, grass-wood withloamandbark palsa were ofthe Seven samplesfrom thecentralpart with icelenses. 0.5–0.7 m–Frozen peatwithloamandbark, a layer ofgrass low-moorpeat with afine- in size (Fig. 5, studied isabout2mhighand5 peat layer already occurred. Asecondpalsa the timewhenaccumulationofthisbasal The heaving process initiated probably at This peatisdated to 2). 2090±40BP(Table 0.4 mcanbereferred to asubaqueousstage. atadepthof0.35- low-moor peatoccurring young, 0.8mhighpalsathegrass-hypnum (Fig.peat section arelatively 5,a)overlying the0.4mthick slope ofonethepalsas. In 1 mhigh. Two birches were growing atthe depression there are palsasmore two then ofthelake- area. Onlyinthecentralpart ofthis woodland islocated intheperiphery palsas canbefound. The larch-birch open Fig. 4,a)andsmall(lessthan1m–Fig. 4,b) (66°31΄N, 61°40΄E)bothhigh(upto 4mhigh bog area oftheUsaSettlement inthevicinity Palsa mire nearUsaSettlement. peat accumulationceasedatthispalsa. birch and the evidenceisappearanceofdwarf BP,and palsagrowth beganabout2.3–2.1ka decomposed wooden-sedge peat.Freezing because thepeatconsistsoflowmoor, well innonpermafrost conditions about 6.5ka BP.8.6 ka Peat accumulationwascontinuous show thatpeatbeganto accumulate about mosses in the peat. Subsequently mossesinthepeat.Subsequently 14 Material C dated 1). (Table The results a ). Its peat section encloses peat section ). Its

In thelake- In degree, % po sition Decom- Ѕ 13m 226.08.2013 9:22:16 6 . 0 8 – . 2 0 1 3

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4 (bark of (bark 0.4 m. The peatincludesremains ofbirch grained located sandadmixture atadepthof high and8 The third palsastudiedinthisarea is2.5m began to heave around 3700BP. subaqueous stage. Consequently thepalsa ± 50BP, to the whichcorresponds mostlikely mosses. This peatlayer isdated to 3690 ± trifoliata horsetail ( rostrata 1 Betula , 1%), buckbean ( , 1%),buckbean , 50%),grasses andhypnaceous Equisetum Ѕ Fig. 2. Palsa mire near (A) Bugry and (B) Abez’ settlements, Usa River valley River Usa settlements, (B) Abez’ and (A)Bugry near mire Palsa 2. Fig. 8minsize (Fig. 5, , 5%),cotton grass ( , 10%),sedge( Eriophorum) a Menyanthes ). The palsa ). The Carex Carex , regime during the time interval 7.1 to 6.3 ka BP BP 7.1to 6.3ka regime thetimeinterval during of thechangeinhydrological-mineral peatindicates initiation peat bybuckbean thereplacementas low-moortype, ofsedge Although boththesepeatlayers are referred to Carex chordarrhiza ( by apeatlargely consistingofbuckbean and hypnaceous moss trifoliata, Carex chordarrhiza, C.caespitosa, of asedgepeatcomposed demonstrates upwardsection replacement Menyanthes trifoliata) and Equisetum. accompaniedby Polytrichum strictum Menyanthes 226.08.2013 9:22:16 6

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2 GEOGRAPHY 2 : 1 6 ggi313.indd 42 i 3 1 3 (years); 16 formation palsa of point starting –assumed . i n d d

4 42 GEOGRAPHY 2 studied isabout4mhighand 7 BPorlater.commenced 6ka palsa The fourth and suggeststhatfreezing andheaving (the dates 11moor; Equisetum; –peat, 12 13 wood-equisetum; (a) –peat, –peat remains (b); andwood 14 –loam; 15 – grass-moss; 7–peat, mo grass 8– peat 6 –peat, lowmoor; sedge-wood; 5–peat hypnum lowmoor; 4–peat, wood; lichencover; grass-wood;1 –moss, 3–peat 2–peat, (Fig. 5, stage isdistinguishableat adepthof Transition from asubaqueousto asubaerial Fig. 3. Radiocarbon dated palsas near (A) Bugry and (B) Abez’ settlements, in Usa River valley: valley: River Usa in settlements, (B) Abez’ and (A)Bugry near palsas dated Radiocarbon 3. Fig. a ). 7140 ±40BP, 6320±40BP) Ѕ 8minsize and replacement ofpredominant 0.8 m. This o 5 ± 0 P Te as surface palsa The BP. commenced to heave bet- intheperiod 650±50 to trophic environments anddatingback forms ( wood remains ofbirch andfrutescent ss; 9 – peat grass-hypnum, 10ss; 9–peat low lowmoor; sedge –peat, Menyanthes trifoliata Vaccinium stratum is marked bythestratum ismarked ) characterizing oligo- ) characterizing remains by Equisetum 14 C dates 226.08.2013 9:22:17 6 . 0 8 . 2 0

1 3

9 : 2 2 : 1 7 ggi313.indd 43 i 3 1 3 . i n d d

4 subaerial stagewaslessthan0.1m/ka. subaerial whereasaveraging thatin the 0.6m/ka, thesubaqueousstagewashigh,during The accumulationrate ofthepeat woody remains of pine, willow and birch. low-moor peatto peatcontaining accompanied bythechangeofbuckbean BP.ween 6.5and 6.0ka This process was 3 high (a) andsmall (b) Usa palsa, River valley Fig. 4. Palsa mire near Usa settlement: settlement: Usa near mire Palsa 4. Fig. palsas ofdifferent agecanbefound here. to 4m–Fig. 2,b)andsmall(less than1m) trees islocated inthewood. Bothhigh(up Vorkuta. Alarge palsamire withseparate – pointofrailway lineMoscow at 2098km (66°31΄N, 61°46΄E),100mNofrailway line, NoftheAbez’situated 1.2km Settlement Palsa mire nearAbez’Settlement.

The site is 226.08.2013 9:22:17 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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4 44 GEOGRAPHY 4 palsa have been ofthe Eight samplesfrom thecentral part 0.85–0.95 m–Frozen gray sandy loam. 0.75–0.85 m–Loamy peatwithwood spots, pineandbirch andshrubtwigs bark brown 0.6–0.75 m–Dark peatwithdark remains peatwithblackvegetation0.5–0.6 m–Dense 0.3–0.5 m– Wooden peatwithtwigs brownish-red peat 0.0–0.3 m–Dry palsa pit: from thetop to thebottomobserved ofthe palsa. The following sedimentsequencewas Lateral destroyedpalsa surface. the 20 palsa wasinvestigated (Fig. size is 2,b).Its and platen. The pitofalarge 3.0mhigh depression surroundedoften byaring-like is notmore than0.5m. These palsasare size isfrom 1 (Fig.on inundated bogsurface 3,b). Their of large palsasare palsas. alsofound Initial peatareSpots ofnaked found onthesurface Peat accumulationwascontinuousabout BP.peat beganto accumulate about8.6ka the results itcanbeestablished thatthe 40±10Hl40 8-u/60607Woe et5 –29.5 55 Wooden peat 0.6–0.7 383-YuV/16 Hel-4507 6490 ±110 bon dates Radiocar- 20±4 I-08 8-u/503Woe et75 60 low moorpeat Buckbean, 85 0.8 Wooden peat 383-YuV/18 55 0.3 65 Sedgelowmoorpeat GIN-10983 383-YuV/15 6650 ±50 low moorpeat Buckbean 0.5 50–55 GIN-10982 0.25 383-YuV/13 Grasslowmoorpeat 5230 ±40 383-YuV/14 GIN-10980 0.4 Grass-hypnum peat GIN-10981 7140 ±40 383-YuV/11 0.4 6320 ±40 GIN-10979 Grass-hypnum brown peat 383-YuV/5 0.3–0.35 3690 ±50 383-YuV/4 GIN-10978 2090 ±40 Hel-4499 1890 ±80 4 0GN19633YV201Hpu et 5 75 Wooden-sedge peat peat, Hypnum 0.25 0.1 383-YuV/3 383-YuV/2 GIN-10977 GIN-10976 780 ±40 140 ±40 Ѕ (BP) 40m. There isnovegetation onthe Ѕ Laboratory Laboratory number 1mto 3 Table 2. Radiocarbon dates of peat in palsas near Usa Settlement, Settlement, Usa near palsas in peat of dates Radiocarbon Table 2. 14 C dated 3). From (Table North-eastern part of European Russia, Usa River valley valley River Usa Russia, European of part North-eastern Ѕ Field num- 5m,theirheight ber Palsa, height0.8m Palsa, height2.5m Palsa, height2.0m Depth, Palsa, height4m m palustris. grasses, moss andgrass-moss peatwithremains of fixed inthepitwithslightlydecomposed BP.palsa growth beganabout2.8 ka This is sequence remains ofwood. Freezing and to grass peatwith sedge peatandfurther moor horsetailpeatchangedto lowmoor eutrophic during conditions. Low5.6 ka Palsa mireSettlement. nearNikita wood stage. indicate thatheaving began atthespruce pollen diagram from thedepression. This are ofthe found onlyinthe upperpart woodland. Pollen ofsprucewood spectra tundra wasreplaced withbirch-spruce open from thepalsareflectsthat forestspectra depression andfrom thepalsa. The pollen of from thelowerthe pollenspectra part demonstrate thatthere are in similarities palsa andtheinter mounddepression ofpollendiagramsComparison from MSU-429) [Evseev, 1986]. ofAbez’vicinity (5600±70and6250BP, obtained from thebottom ofthepalsasin Settlement area (67°02΄N,63 with wood remains Material Comarum palustre Earlier two two Earlier 14 C dates have been degree, % po sition Decom- and 0–28.9 60 °48΄E) there are Scheuchzeria Scheuchzeria

In the Nikita the Nikita In δ O 13 226.08.2013 9:22:18 С, 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

9 : 2 2 : 1 8 ggi313.indd 45 i 3 1 3 . i n d d

4 10 11 –peat; –loam; 12 formation; palsa 13 of point starting –assumed 14 –wood; – grass-wood; 9–peat, wood; 8–peat wood–equisetum; 7–peat, high-moor; 6–peat, low-moor; equisetum, 5 –peat, grass, low-moor; 4–peat, low-moor; buckbean, 3–peat, sedge-hypnum; 2–peat, low-moor; sedge, 1 –peat, 5 Fig. 5. Radiocarbon dated palsas near (A) Usa, (B) Nikita and (C) Eletskaya settlements, settlements, Eletskaya (C) and (B) Nikita (A)Usa, near palsas dated 5.Radiocarbon Fig. in Usa River valley: River Usa in 14 C dates (years) 226.08.2013 9:22:18 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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4 46 GEOGRAPHY 6 dates (BP) 50±3 I-16 8-u/205–. et eg,lwmo 25 15 Peat, horstail-wood of withloamandbark 10 0.75–0.85 385-YuV/24 30 Peat, and horstaillowmoorpeat,withtwig GIN-11967 0.65–0.75 Peat, sedge, lowmoor 385-YuV/23 5600 ±40 0.55–0.6 GIN-11966 385-YuV/22 Peat, ofbirch, andbark grasspine withtwigs 5050 ±40 GIN-11965 0.45–0.5 385-YuV/21 4590 ±30 Peat, grass-wood, withleaves, andbark twig GIN-11964 Peat, hypnum-grass, lowmoor 0.3–0.35 385-YuV/20 4050 ±30 0.2–0.3 Peat, moss GIN-11963 385-YuV/19 0.1–0.2 Peat, moss-grass 3570 ±30 GIN-11962 385-YuV/18 0.0–0.1 2970 ±30 GIN-11961 385-YuV/17 2760 ±40 GIN-11960 2710 ±40 carbon Radio- Fig. 6. Palsa mire near ( Laboratory Laboratory number Table 3. Radiocarbon dates of peat in palsa near Abez’ Settlement, Settlement, Abez’ near palsa in peat of dates Table Radiocarbon 3. North-eastern part of European Russia, Usa River valley valley River Usa Russia, European of part North-eastern number Field a ) Nikita and ( and ) Nikita Depth, m b birch, pine, at0.85m–loam ofbirch,bark pine and spruce of birch, pineandwillow ) Eletskaya settlements, Usa River valley River Usa settlements, ) Eletskaya Material degree, % position Decom- 45 35 20 25 226.08.2013 9:22:18 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

9 : 2 2 : 1 8 ggi313.indd 47 i 3 1 3 . i n d d

4 along witharboreal forms, bysedges( waspopulated,process, thepalsasurface 0.65 m.Atthebeginning of the heaving content of wood remains atadepthof BP–Fig.6.7 ka 5,b)to peatwithhigh of0.8–0.65m,dated at8.2– (depth interval covered byarboreal-horstail vegetation that formed inanenvironment ofabog demonstrates transitionfromsection peat thispalsais0.8m.Its the peatoverlying station (Fig. 6, railway oftheNikita area issituated north The firstpalsa(4.7mhigh)studiedinthis and smaller(upto 1.5–2.0mhigh)palsas. both large (upto 5and, even 8mhigh) 7 10±10Hl40 8-u/404Wo –25.5 –28.6 –29.9 5–10 40–45 45–50 peat Hypnum-sedge Wood-horstail peat 0.1–0.15 380-YuV/22 0.8 GIN-10629 Wooden peat 380-YuV/16 1420 ±120 0.55–0.6 Wood 380-YuV/15 Hel-4504 0.4 Hel-4510 9180 ±100 380-YuV/14 6730 ±100 –29.4 Hel-4509 60 6110 ±110 Horstaillow moorpeat,withice 0.75 380-YuV/21 Hel-4512 8200 ±130 Wooden peat 0.35–0.45 380-YuV/7 Hel-4502 5280 ±100 dates (BP) 00±9 e-5130YV401-02Woe et5 –29.4 55 60 65–70 80 0.25–0.35 Wood-grass peat 380-YuV/6 Wooden peat 0.2–0.25 0.15--0.2 GIN-10624 380-YuV/5 Wooden peat 380-YuV/4 GIN-10623 4450 ±40 0.1–0.15 Wood –hypnacum peat Hel-4501 4100 ±40 380-YuV/3 0.03–0.1 GIN-10622 4070 ±90 380-YuV/2 GIN-10621 2740 ±40 1130 ±40 50±4 I-03 8-u/50505 eg o orpa 35 –28.9 35 60–65 Sedgelowmoor peat –25.4 Brown hypnum-sedge peat 0.5–0.55 0.3–0.35 380-YuV/25 peat Hypnum-sedge 380-YuV/24 GIN-10631 –27.9 0.2–0.25 Hel-4513 3550 ±40 380-YuV/23 45–50 GIN-10630 2360 ±90 1500 ±40 Remainsoflarge shrubs 0.4-–0.5 380-YuV/20 Wood-horstail peat Hel-4511 0.2–0.3 380-YuV/13 75 65–70 6320 ±90 0.12–0.2 380-YuV/12 Hel-4508 Hel-4503 5010 ±90 3590 ±90 Horstaillow moorpeat 0.65–0.75 Wooden peat -sedge 380-YuV/10 0.55–0.65 Birch Wooden peat, 65% GIN-10627 380-YuV/9 0.45–0.55 0.5 GIN-10626 7510 ±60 380-YuV/8 GIN-10625 7550 ±50 380-YuV/11 GIN-10628 6670 ±40 4890 ±40 carbon 0±7 e-5030YV1000 etwt ihn < –28.0 <5 Peat withlichens 0–0.03 380-YuV/1 Hel-4500 90 ±70 Radio- Laboratory Laboratory number Table 4. Radiocarbon dates of peat in palsas near Nikita Settlement, Settlement, Nikita near palsas in peat of dates Table Radiocarbon 4. a ). of The total thickness North-eastern part of European Russia, Usa River valley valley River Usa Russia, European of part North-eastern number Field Depth, m Carex Palsa, height4.7m Palsa, height0.7 m Palsa, height3.5 m lenses Wood-grass peatwithbirch remains Brown peatwithfrutescent remains ( ( of buckbean at adepthof0.25–0.35mcontainsremains about lessthan0.1m/kyr. The peatlocated 0.4 m/kyr. could reach thevalueofapproximately the stage. The rate ofthepalsagrowth during thesubaerialpeat accumulated during Consequently, 0.65mofmainlywoody resembling eutrophic . in depressions located palsasand between and horsetails;thelatter occurcurrently here caespitosa, C.chordorrhiza, andC.diandra) Carex chordorrhiza, C.diandra initial phase was sufficiently high and initial phasewassufficientlyhighand Material Subsequently, itdecreased to Menyanthes trifoliata) degree, % position position Decom- ), andhorsetail 0–28.6 60 –29.0 55 70 , sedges δ O 13 С, 226.08.2013 9:22:19 6

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4 48 GEOGRAPHY 8 near-bottom peatwith atthe The black-coloured wood-equisetum Settlement. southoftheNikita 1.5 km 3.5 mhighpalsaissituated approximately and grew height. to itsmodern The second BP.about 4.5ka Later, thepalsawasrestored and subsidenceofthepalsathatoccurred ( (Fig. 5, 9180±100BPtobetween 6730±100BP stage ofpeatgrowth. This stageisdated to corresponds to asubaqueous base ofsection 0.7 mhigh(Fig. 5, BP.approximately 5ka The third palsaissmall, thawing ofthepalsatook place peat, thepartial the occurrence ofhorsetailrem BP.took placeabout6.7ka Judging from area. this previously dry The palsaformation arboreal vegetation dueto swampingof of low-moorpeatanddisappearance Equisetum) 70±10Hl40 8-u/411 etwt c es –29.3 –27.9 –29.6 60–65 Peat withicelens –29.3 1.15 382-YuV/14 30 Frozen peat Hel-4506 0.8–0.82 Wooden peat 382-YuV/12 0.75–0.8 9750 ±160 382-YuV/11 Hel-4505 Hel-4521 8350 ±110 8220 ±110 peat Hypnum 0.35–0.45 382-YuV/7 Hel-4527 7760 ±110 40±10Hl41 8-u/ .502Wo-panmpa 57 –28.1 65–70 Wood-sphagnum peat 0.15–0.2 Brown peatwith wood-grass 382-YuV/4 0.1–0.15 Hel-4519 382-YuV/3 7420 ±110 Hel-4518 7120 ±100 dates (BP) 20±9 e-5932YV1 .507 odnpa 0–30.2 75 –29.5 40 Wooden peatwithsand 45 30 0.9 60 382-YuV/13 Grass, lowmoorpeat GIN-10975 Wooden peat 0.65–0.75 8490 ±70 0.6 Wooden peat 382-YuV/10 0.45–0.5 Hel-4529 Grass-hypnum peat 382-YuV/9 382-YuV/8 GIN-10974 8240 ±90 0.3 Hel-4528 7750 ±40 382-YuV/6 8100 ±90 GIN-10973 7300 ±40 10±4 I-07 8-u/ .5Sdepa 80 65 Grass-hypnum peatwith 25–30 0.2–0.25 382-YuV/5 Grass-sedge peat 60 Hel-4520 Sedge peat 0.1 7560 ±90 0.05 382-YuV/2 Sedgepeat 20 382-YuV/1 GIN-10972 Wood-sedge peat 0.6 GIN-10971 4700 ±50 Peat withfrutescent remains 0.3 382-YuV/19 3100 ±40 0.15 GIN-10970 382-YuV/18 GIN-10969 382-YuV/17 6190 ±40 GIN-10968 4800 ±50 1040 ±50 carbon Radio- b ) and is marked byaccumulation ) andismarked , which suggests partial thawing , whichsuggestspartial Laboratory Laboratory number Table 5. Radiocarbon dates of peat in palsas near Yeletskaya Settlement, Settlement, Yeletskaya near palsas in peat of dates Table 5.Radiocarbon b). The botanicalcompo- North-eastern part of European Russia, Usa River valley valley River Usa Russia, European of part North-eastern Betula number Field remains atthe ains in the ains inthe et,mMaterial Depth, m Palsa, height3.5m Palsa, height4m wood remains twigs to 4.8 ka BP(Fig.to 4.8ka 5,c; Table 5). The atadepthof0.3m. observed This level isdated ofthesubaqueous and termination of peat. The commencementofheaving The firstpalsa,4mhighand6 Settlement(67°16΄N,63°39΄E). the Eletskaya of tomire thenorth-east islocated 1.5km Palsa mire nearEletskaya Settlement. and 1420±120BP). BP(according to datesto 2360±90BP 1.4ka 2.3 theperiod was quite unstablealsoduring 4). BP(Table dated to 2.36–3.35ka This palsa 0.55–0.35mand grass inthedepthinterval and withoccurrence ofbuckbean variety low-moor sedgepeatbythesedge-hypnum bythereplacement of andismarked surface oscillationrelative to thebog palsa surface of thelayer thatcorresponds to thestageof sition ofthepeatcover allowsrecognition (Fig. 6, b ), is overlain bya1.15mthicklayer), isoverlain degree, % position Decom- 03 –28.4 30–35 5–28.9 65 Ѕ subsequent 7minsize

A palsa stage is stage is δ O 13 226.08.2013 9:22:19 С, 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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4 vegetation ( wasfirstcovered byarboreal that itssurface layer a3.5mhighpalsaindicates overlying botanical compositionofa0.9mthickpeat with theaverage rate of0.06m/kyr. The palsa 20 Palsa Settlement. nearKhanovey from lowmoorpeat). to dates 3100±40BPand470050 BP(according ofabout4.7to 3.1ka period the thawing during might suggestpartial presence oflow-moorsedgepeat, which (Fig. 5,c). The palsasummitshowsalsothe BPThis stageisdated to 9.7to 7.56ka trifoliata, Carex diandra, C.chordorrhiza onedominated by herbaceous vegetation wasreplaced byalow-moor of subaqueousdevelopment, arboreal the stageoflow-moorbog. As aresult peat ofthesubaqueousstageismarking 0.25to 1.15mflooded. theinterval In calyculata and peatwith stagelasted lessthan5000yrs subaerial indicator of initial destruction. indicator ofinitialdestruction. Typical high Vorkuta. peatonitsummit,as There isnaked – pointofrailway lineMoscow 2233 km S-Wofthe 25 km Vorkuta town, atthe Settlement, SoftheKhanovey found in2km 9 Ѕ and 40mand3high(Fig. 7)was Betula sect.Albae Vaccinium sp Carex vesicaria Fig. 7. Palsa mire near Khanovey settlement, Vorkuta area Vorkuta settlement, Khanovey near 7.Fig. mire Palsa ., Chamaedaphne ) andwasthen accumulated Menyanthes A single . 8.8 ka BP (Table 6). BP(Table 8.8 ka that thepeatbeganto accumulate about were were Six samplesfrom thecenter ofthepalsa 0.15 m–Frozen grayish-brown loam. 0.0–0.15 m–Blackpeatwithrootlets from sequence ofsediments: The pitatthebasisofpalsahasfollowing From 0.3m–Frozen grayish loam. rootlets 0.2 m–0.3m–Frozen brown dark peatwith brown0.07–0.2 m–Dark peatwithrootlets mosscover 0.0–0.07 m–Dry sequence ofsediments: The pitonthepalsaslopehasfollowing peat. 0.8–0.85 m–Brown icy of aquaticplants 0.75–0.8 m–Lightbrown peatwithremains brown0.3–0.7 m–Dark frozen peat 0.2–0.3 m–Brown peat brown0.08–0.2 m–Dark wet peat brown0.03–0.08 m–Dark peatwithrootlets mosscover 0.0–0.03 m–Dry ved from thetop to thebottom ofthepalsa: The following sedimentsequencewasobser- palustre, Oxycoccus moor vegetation covers thepalsa( 14 C dated (Fig. 8). The results indicate sp., etal.) Ledum 226.08.2013 9:22:19 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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5 50 GEOGRAPHY 0 short resumption ofpeataccumulation short the mire wasfrozen andpalsaformed. A BPpeataccumulationceasedbecause 3.5 ka accumulated atthattime. Then from 7.5to brown peatwithremains ofaquaticplants ateutrophic conditions. Lowka moorlight Peat accumulationwascontinuousabout1.3 Radio carbon Radio dates (BP) 90±4 I-28 9-u/30202 Peat frozen ofloam brown atthecontact Peat brown dark 0.2–0.25 Peat brown dark withrootlets 0.15–0.2 393-YuV/13 0.07–0.15 Peat, frozen, lightbrown withaquatic 393-YuV/12 GIN-12080 Peat, frozen, brown dark 393-YuV/11 Peat, frozen GIN-12079 0.65–0.7 2960 ±40 Peat GIN-12078 0.6–0.65 3540 ±40 0.4–0.5 Peat 2860 ±30 393-YuV/20 0.2–0.3 393-YuV/10 GIN-12077 0.1–0.2 393-YuV/7 GIN-12076 8860 ±40 393-YuV/4 GIN-12075 8500 ±60 393-YuV/3 GIN-12074 7500 ±40 GIN-12073 3570 ±40 3850 ±40 Fig. 8. Radiocarbon dated palsa of Northeast Europe, Vorkuta area, near Khanovey settlement: settlement: Khanovey near area, Vorkuta Europe, Northeast of palsa dated Radiocarbon 8. Fig. 8 0GN10233YV1 . Hummock 0.2 393-YuV/17 GIN-12082 480 ±50 eetGN10133YV1 .501 Peat, blackwithrootlets 0.05–0.15 393-YuV/14 GIN-12081 Recent Peat 0.0–0.05 393-YuV/1 GIN-12072 Recent 1 – peat (a)1 –peat remains (b); and wood water; nearpalsa, 4– 2–loam; 3– Laboratory Laboratory Table 6. Radiocarbon dates of peat in palsa near Khanovey Settlement, Settlement, Khanovey near palsa in peat of dates Table Radiocarbon 6. number North-eastern part of European Russia, Vorkuta area Vorkuta Russia, European of part North-eastern 5 – assumed starting point of palsa formation palsa of point starting 5 –assumed Pit ininundateddepression nearthepalsabasement number Field Pit atthetopofpalsa,height2.5m Pit atthebasementofpalsa Pit attheslopeofpalsa et,mMaterial Depth, m took place about 3.5 ka BP.took placeabout3.5ka There isalsoaninversion ofdates suchthata BP.0.25 mandthedates are about2.9–2.8ka ofthepeatlayer isnotmorethickness than ofthepalsa. than peatinthecentralpart The show thatthepeatatpointisyounger samples from apitattheslopeofpalsa plants remains 14 C dates (years); 14 C datingof3 226.08.2013 9:22:19 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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5 such a distribution of such adistribution around thepalsa. This isthefirstcasewith of thepalsaandinaninundated depression were obtainedfrom peatatthebasement The youngest dates, 480 is causedbypeatmovingdowntheslope. rare for thepalsasinthis BP.dates of2.9 and2.8ka Date inversions are BPislocated thetwo between date of3.5 ka palsa massifs in Bolshezemelskaya tundra, palsa massifs inBolshezemelskaya in thewood vegetationHoloceneat during 2010, Salonenetal., 2011]studied thechanges etal., H. Seppawithcolleagues[Välliranta showed thatitisnotabsolutely true. article of palsa.Buttheresearch oftheauthorsthis permafrost degradation andthedecay ofmost ofgeneral first halfofHolocenewasperiod thirds abouttwo optimum covering ofthe Holocene. ofpalsadevelopmentinthe Dynamics finally ceases. heaving peataccumulationslows downand initial phaseissufficientlyhigh,butafter similar. The rate ofpalsagrowth the during point ofpalsaformation appearsto bevery different of apalsa).In zones thestarting ofseasonalthawed layer atthetop surface of asurrounding bog(more exactly, the appearsabove thewater table palsa surface age ofpeatformed whenthe attheperiod can bestbeevaluated from theradiocarbon palsa formation asatopographical structure Initial pointofpalsaformation. been formed. high palsamore than45mindiameter had BP.accumulated upto 2.8ka As aresult a3m BP.2.8 ka thesurrounding depression In peat heaving from 3.5to BPandasecondary 7.5 ka The initialheaving took placearound 1955]. been flattened byerosion [e.g. P’yavchenko, palsa isaresult offrost heaving buthasnot peat attheslope. This evidencesthatthis ofthepalsaandyounger dates are frompart dates are obtainedfrom peatinthecentral 1 DISCUSSION It is assumed that the Holocene isassumedthattheHolocene It 14 BP and C dates. The old area. This inversion area. This

The initiationof a recent one, 14 C when permafrost aggradation occurred in theLittleIceAgegrow during primarily America permafrost inNorth to – started ofnon-alpine distribution southernmost the largest peatlandcomplexwiththe [2013] palsaofHudsonBay Lowlands – According to J. andK. McLaughlin Webster 2012]. Niewiarowski, Peninsula [Jaworski, Finland andontheKola palsas innorthern (central Spitsbergen) andoftheoldest of pingosandicewedges in Adventdalen correspond to the formation andsurvival BP. untiltoday formation andsurvival Its aroundcooling intheperiod 3.0–2.5ka was formed the considerableclimate during that alow(0.4–0.5m)frost peat mound dates ofthepeatsuggestedradiocarbon while onthepeatbogitis25–40cm. The the examinedmoundreaches about50cm, 37 ofthepeatin cm, butthetotal thickness ofthepeatcover reaches 32– the thickness from 0.2to 1.3m, The heightofpalsavary ofthebog. better drainedthanotherparts ofthepeatbogthatisalways in thepart NWSvalbard.Hermansenøya, They occur polygons on ofice-wedge a network studied late Holocenepalsaformed within T. and Jaworski W. [2012] Niewiarowski [Salonen etal., 2011]. remains ofthevegetation dated about2.5ka vegetation extinction. The mostancient intensive palsagrowth as well aswood aggradationan active ofpermafrost and BP decreased about3.5–2.5ka from timberline. themodern The temperature to thenorth located 150km Lake Khariney forests were growing atthattimearound the than thenowadays [Salonenetal., 2011].Spruce mean temperature intundrawas3°Сhigher BPthesummer here 8.0and3.5ka between the Holoceneoptimumwhichwasdefined etal. 2010].During the Holocene[Välliranta isolated rare forests sincethebeginning of optimum. The vegetation grew here as the Holoceneand outsideit)during region (currently located atthetimberline vegetation (spruce, birch) occurred atthis expansion ofthenaturalareas ofwood Pechora basin. River They assumethatthe that ledto 226.08.2013 9:22:19 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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5 52 GEOGRAPHY 2 periods ofheaving andthedurationof periods and localfactors. Peat accumulationrate, are causedbothbygeneralclimaticchanges that theheave processes withintheareas settlements. CalculationsshowKhanovey and Eletskiy Station andUsa,Abez,Nikita, the Holoceneatareas neartheBugry of heaving andthedynamicsofpalsain authors allowed to definethebeginning outbythe datingcarried The radiocarbon Webster, 2013]. yr[McLaughlin, from 6.9to 4.6ka palsa vary the14Cdates ofbottom peatof ealier: this region. Peat accumulationbeganmuch C – Nikita settlement, D – Eletskiy settlement, settlement, D–Eletskiy C –Nikita settlement, A – Usa settlement, B – Abez settlement, settlement, B–Abez A –Usa settlement, (shown with arrows) and the rate rate the and arrows) with (shown of peat accumulation in palsa Fig. 9. Assumed heave events events heave 9. Assumed Fig. of Bolshezemelskaya tundra: E – Khanovey settlement E –Khanovey cm/yr. According to thecorrelation ofdates the subaquaticphasewasquite high–0.06 birch. The peataccumulationrate during wood peatwithresiduals ofpine, willowand bean lowlandpeatwasreplaced bythe BP.6.5-6.0 ka At the sametimebuck- than about 4mhighbegannotearlier BP. than6ka earlier The formation ofpalsa composition, heaving occurred here not According dates to andpeat radiocarbon BP.supply regime 7.1and6.3ka between process ofthechangewater-mineral 2.5 mhigh. This indicates theactivated BPisfound ofpalsa inthesection 6.32 ka (at 0.5mdepth)to lowland buck-bean peat BP Change ofsedgelowlandpeat7.10ka long ago(withintherecent 100years). can beassumedthatheaving occurred not Since there isnolichenouscover onpalsa,it peat didnothave enoughtimeto form. that the high-bog associated withthefact the heaving process wasquite fast. This is itcanbeassumedthat beds atthesurface, BP.than 3.7ka peat Sincesedge-hypnum notearlier palsa about2mhighstarted years (Fig. 9A). The formation ofanother isapproximatelypeat from 140 thesurface 0.1 mdepthandthatofthesedge-hypnum century, sincetheageofsamplefrom wasevidentlyformed therecent during It stationrepeatedly ceased.near theBugry stage thegrowth ofaminorpalsa0.8mhigh Station. Bugry studied palsainmore detail. antinomy. Let thedynamicsof usdescribe that atfirstglancecanseemageocryological ofthisphenomenon was themainfactor than present) theHoloceneoptimum during (locallymorethe samewinter severity severe as aresult ofhighsummertemperatures and permafrost area. peataccumulation Intensive ofthe optimum even part withinthesouthern new palsacouldbegin theHolocene during degrade and, oncontrary, theformation of based onalarge data.Permafrost didnot fading ofheave processes canbeidentified the stagesofintensification andrelative different andthesubaquaticphasescanbe subaerial within thesamemassif. Nonetheless, It was found thatattheinitial It 226.08.2013 9:22:19 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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5 Abez’ Settlement. Abez’ consistsof0.35-1.60 m(Fig.palsa surface 9A). and isstillgoingon. of theyounger The uplift BP again3.7–2.1ka heaving process started now begin to decay. However, theactive by 2–3m.Someofpalsaformed atthattime BP.6.0 ka The palsarose above thesurface Usa settlementwasmostintensive 6.5- after Usa Settlement growth ceasedcompletely. BP. Atthattimepeataccumulationandpalsa to thesubaquatic phasefinishedabout5ka and thepeatlayer thetransition thickness, heave unstable:itevidently was extremely peat containingbuck-bean and herbs. The of sedgelowlandpeatwithsedge-hypnum BP.2.3 ka This wasdefinedbyreplacement flooding ofthesite begangrowing about peat accumulated inconditions ofintensive BP). Aminorpalsa0.7mhighcomposedof palsa recovered than3.6ka again(notearlier the peatatdepthof0.2–0.3m. Then BP,5 ka according to horsetailremains in of palsaprobably occurred approximately of wood andlarge bushes. Partial thawing horstail near-bottom peatbywithremains is identifiedbyreplacement ofblackwood- BP. forming about6.7ka high started This and grew tillthecurrent size. Palsa 3.5m BP.palsa about4.5ka Later itrecovered again thawing andsubsidenceofthe the partial of 0.25–0.35m. This canevidentlyindicate (Equisetum) remains are found atthedepth (Carex C.diandra)andhorsetail chordorrhiza, BP. Buck-bean (Menyanthes trifoliata), sedge rate. The transientphasefinishedabout2.7ka long timeaccording to peataccumulation Fig. site drying, Heaving took a partial 9C). of wood remains (whichprobably indicates lowland bogpeatbywithhighcontent BP,7.5 ka according to replacement ofthe about settlementstarted high nearNikita Settlement. Nikita (Fig. andcowberry 9B). herbs grass peatwiththeremains ofscheuchzeria, freezing,quickly transientmossandmoss- is identifiedbytransitionto theyoung, i.e. Abez’ BP. about2.7ka settlementstarted This 3 . The heaving process near The formation ofpalsanear The formation ofpalsa4.7m that in the Bolshezemelskaya tundrathis that intheBolshezemelskaya forms,mechanism ofpalsalike butthought recognizedprincipally heaving asthemain bytheresearchers who also acknowledged of palsaatthisarea was thought so. It of thehypothesis oftheerosional origin initially flatpeatland. Notonlythefollowers occurred asaresult oftheerosion ofan is properly palsa,itisnotaresidual form points. Firstly, important two thislandform and younger ontheslope)demonstrated (more ancientintheaxial part palsa section dates in ofradiocarbon The distribution notlongago(Fig.above thesurface 9E). going on),itisevidentthatpalsauplifted palsa top (thepeataccumulationisstill Since arecent date wasreceived for the BP. about3.5ka resumed period for ashort comparatively lowpalsa.Peat accumulation freezingmassif’s andtheformation ofa BP.process 7.5-3.5ka This testifies to the steep slowingdownofthepeatformation showed alonggapinpeataccumulationor settlement peat from palsanearKhanovey Settlement. Khanovey when palsagrew by3.0–3.4m. BP occurred mostintensively about7.7ka the heave settlement process nearEletskiy BP.palsa 4.7–3.1ka can beassumedthat It top. thawing of This canindicate apartial peatisfoundlowland-type onthepalsa Sedge phasewas0.08m/ka. subaerial thesubsequent accumulation rate during (Fig.phase was0.27m/ka 9D). The peat subaquaticof peataccumulationduring BP.high evidentlyoccurred 7.5ka The rate for about5ka. The formation ofpalsa3.5m BP.as 4.8ka phaselasted subaerial The next settlement at0.3mdepth,anditwasdated ofthe4mhighpalsanearEletskiy section of palsadevelopment wasidentifiedinthe ofthesubaquaticphase and termination Settlement. Eletskiy to amore stableone. BPthispulsatingstate wastransformed 1.4 ka Then itfroze andheaved 1.5– again.Butafter hummock remained thesubsidence). after most probable thatonlyalowhillockor thawed andsubsidedrepeatedly (itis The beginning ofheaving The datingofthe 226.08.2013 9:22:20 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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5 54 GEOGRAPHY 4 Menyanthes trifoliate, The wet-plant mire communitieswith Sulerzhitsky, 1999]. of peat[Blyakharchuk, to pollendataandbotanicalcomposition palsaformedSiberia inHolocene according of theBygristoe bogincentralpart WesternIn changed bySphagnum rossowii peat. 2003, 2010]whenSphagnum fuscumpeat etal., to develope 4800BP[Väliranta after peat plateau nearPechora delta began Ortino of freezing andelevation ofsurface. The transitionprobably thebeginning marks (3120 ±100,Hel-3796)[Oksanenetal., 1998]. to BP Sphagnum peatisdated to about3ka thetransition from sedgepeat Khanovey), from Abez’,north southwest from 50km to the the Rogovaya (about62km River ofapeatplateau across-sections at In obtained for valley. palsasinUsaRiver aswepalsa anditsimmediate vicinity dates ofpeatfrom radiocarbon between has found similarappreciable difference Finland Seppälä[1971,2011] Northern In BP.2.0 ka Their heightwas 0.35m. 2.25–4.0 m.Smallerpalsawere formed 3.5– the peatlands’ atthattimereached surfaces BP.high were formed 7–6ka The heightof developed inseveral stages. Palsa 3.5-5.0m Valley.Usa River but thenstopped heaving. after BP where peataccumulationoccured 2.8ka covered thesurrounding floodeddepression was formed from theinitiallysmallone. It 3 mhighandmore than45mindiameter heaving apalsamore than of secondary 1.0–1.5 mhighwasformed. Atthemoment in diameter andprobably nomore than initial heaving aminorpalsaseveral meters here. Atthemomentof observed clearly heaving BPare approximately 3.5–2.8ka additional BP andthemomentofsecondary both theinitialmomentofheaving 7.5ka a result oferosion infrost cracks. Secondly, to forms residual generated as large-block of lower ground temperatures were referred near in thenorth, Vorkuta, intheconditions while theheave forms terrain thatoccurred process placeinmore areas, take southern Palsa mires valley inUsaRiver whichgrows only AD (390±70BP, Ua-13229;95±65BP, started to grow 1520tostarted intheperiod In Laivadalen () mostofthepalsas insomedrainingareas.palsas are observed to grow rapidlyuntiltoday. Atpresent, new formation ofyounger palsas, whichcontinue BPandresulted inintense occurred 3.7–1.4ka oftheheaving process Substantial activation BP. fromintense intheperiod 7.5to 6.2ka process intheUsaRiver Valley wasmost evenfactors withinasmallarea. The heaving both generalclimaticchangesandlocal that heaving processes are controlled by seems temperatures ofthepermafrost. It palsas isalmostindependentoflatitudeand zone ofRussiasuggeststhattheage also dates from otherareas inthepermafrost dates showninTableradiocarbon 1,and Abies ceased. This event coincidedwiththeendof the accumulationofpeatslowed downand about 4300BPcausedBugristoe bogto freeze, ± 100 of peat. The transitionisdated to 4740± myrtillus palustre, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium and moss( Pinus sibirica mirevegetation conditions; ofrelatively dry in wet unfrozen mire, were replaced by Age ofpalsagrowth andcollapse. forests inthetaigaof Western . [Zuidhoff, Kolstrup, 2000].New Sweden,southern temperature record since1721intheUppsala, longest coldperiod aroundas thecoldperiod 1860-1890;the young age, possiblyaslatesuggest avery in combinationwiththeclimate records than 8000yr. The datingfrom Laivadalen found, whichindicates thatthe palsaisolder dated to 8150±85BP(Ua-13227)hasbeen oligotrophic peatwith 13228; and105±65BP, Ua-13230).However, our results. They have shownthatactive 2012] demonstrated closematching with Ospennikov,tundra inHolocene[Maksimova, permafrost conditionsofBolshezemel’skaya of thedynamicsmire systems and areas andjointanalysis of peatinterfluve forests andspread ofpure BP (GIN-5517). The increase ofseasonality ) asaresult offreezing andheaving Chamaedaphne caliculata, Ledum forest with dwarf mire forest shrubs withdwarf Sphagnum Pinus sibirica 14 C-datings C-datings remains

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5 between 750 and 1000 AD and during the the 750and1000ADduring between differenttwo ofthelastmillennium periods Boniface,Rivière ,were formed during The wooded palsasatthetreeline ofthe 2012] “warm” permafrost [Romanenko, Garankina, now theyare inthestablestate even inthe yrBPand to growpalsas started about4.5ka 2010]. NearUmbozero Peninsula) (Kola Lake main directionofthewinter wings[Barcan, other palsamires whichare located alongto inthe surface. The samesituationisobserved wings blowoffthesnowcover from mire andSopchel Mountains. Strong Nyud winter area Lake located between palsa inNyudo growth andmodern ofthe to conservation from –3.0°Cto +2.8°C.Relieffeatures favor in spite ofannualtemperature variation of palsadidnotthawed last80years during wasfound thatmostpart It Lake). Imandra Lake, Lumbolka Lake, 67°57‘ NinMonche and Lake 2010] (upto 67°55‘NinNyudo intheCola Peninsulaboundary [Barcan, V. Barcan studiedpalsaneartheirsouthern and inScandinavia [Seppälä,2011]. ofCanada[Lewkowicz, Coultish, 2004] north inthe formation. observes Similarpalsaoften subsequent drainageledsto young palsa leds to erosion, flashofpalsas, butand collapsed cyclically. Surface ofthepalsagrowstages. and Certain peat, durationofsubaqueousandsubaerial initial heaving, accumulationrate ofthe due to differentiation ofthemoment appearance even withinsinglepalsaarray hasdifferentchanges andlocalfactors. It Heaving caused bothglobalclimatic Ospennikov, [Maksimova, periods 2012]. from thewarming thawing long-term during their coolingeffect protected permafrost were widespread atthisstageand was accompaniedbypalsaformation. High high bogs. Permafrost aggradation inbogs as well asprocess ofchangefen bogsby BPaclimate coolinghasbegun About 4.5ka BP asaresult ofpermafrost degradation. process ofmire evolution about8.5–4.5ka growth ofpalsainthisregion waspreceded 5 East ofEurope coincideswithsouthern 2. limitofpalsaintheNorth- The southern discontinuous andsporadicpermafrost. of continuouspermafrost andinthe Europe bothintheareasin Northern 1. Convex peat mounds (palsa)are found fast. can thaw very ofpalsas permafrost conditionsmostpart discontinuous global climate warming. In are stableandcan grow even incase of areas withcontinuouspermafrost palsas northern BPandstillcontinues. In 3.3-1.4 ka heaving oftheyoung palsascommenced stabilised, andpalsasgrew slowly. The slow BP.and from 3.3to 1.4ka Later, thisprocess BP lastingfromin theperiods 7.5to 6.7ka consequently, heaving ofthepalsasoccurred stageand, asubaerial accumulated during The transitionfrom low-moorpeatto that zones andwithinseparate palsamassifs. bothindifferentperiods geocryologic Palsa formation took placeindifferent time ones. such asembryo-mature-degraded palsastages ofSeppala-type all varieties areSiberia ofdifferent age andrepresent Palsas valleyandinNorthwest inUsaRiver snowpack [Cyr, Payette, 2012]. accumulationanddurationofannual variable solar radiationbeneaththetree canopy, because oflowannualtemperatures, reduced wooded palsasatthetreeline cansurvive development ofaforest/krummholz cover, penetration into thesoilismaintainedby snowpackpreventingthicker deeperfrost associated withpalsaupthrusting. Although soilconditions possible dueto well-drained winter conditions. Tree establishmentwas aprolonged ofsnow-poor during period inception ofwooded palsaswasfacilitated According to S.Cyr andS.Payette [2012]the over thelast500tohave 1000years. survived where forest andpermafrost coexist;these Canadaformin eastern peculiarecosystems environments, andwoodednorthern palsas mound underforest cover isarare situationin 1500s. The maintenance ofapermafrost CONCLUSIONS 226.08.2013 9:22:20 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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5 56 GEOGRAPHY 6 9. Lewkowicz A.G.,Coultish T.L. (2004).Beaver Damming and Palsa inaSubarctic Dynamics 8. Farbrot (2013).Ground Etzelmüller B., GisnåsK. H.,IsaksenK., RegimeThermal andPer- 7. Cyr S., Payette S.(2010). The origin andstructureofwooded permafrost moundsatthe 6. Christensen M,Aurela P, M,Crill T.R, Jackowicz-Korczyński M,Fri- HeliaszM,Mastepanov 5. Blyakharchuk T.A., L.D. Sulerzhitsky (1999).Holocenevegetation andclimaticchangesin 4. Barcan V.Sh. margin ofpalsaatthesouthern ontheKola ofitsdistribution (2010).Stability 3. Allard M.,RousseauL.(1999) structureofapalsaandpeatplateauThe internal inthe 2. 1. Autonomous District toAutonomous theSouthof67 District Peninsula about67°N,intheNenets Peninsula itisabout67°50‘N,intheKanin border ofpermafrost ground: intheKola intense accumulationofpeat(dueto to form. An contrary, newpalsasstarted ofthepermafrost area, butonthe part Holocene Optimum,even inthesouthern 4. Palsas are notalways degraded inthe Tundra. and to 67°30’–68° NinBolshezemel’skaya 68°10‘ NintheNenetsAutonomous District continuous permafrost anditenters upto Europe located inthelow-temperature 3. ofthe The palsaarea intheNorth-East of 66°20‘N. N, inBolshezemel’skaya Tundra to theSouth REFERENCES Alpine Research, vol. 36,N2,pp. 208–218. Environment,Mountainous Wolf Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada.Arctic, Antarctic, and Periglacial Processes, vol. 24,N1,pp. 20–38. Norway. Permafrostmafrost underaChanging Distribution Climate inNorthern and treelinearctic Canada.Plant ineastern Ecology&Diversity, vol. 3,N1.P.35–46. micrometeorological techniques. Ambio, vol. 41,Iss. 3,pp. 207–217. borg T. themulti-year balanceofasubarcticpalsamire (2012).Monitoring carbon with bog Bugristoye. The Holocene, N9,Iss. 5,pp. 621–628. the forest zone of Western according Siberia to pollenrecords from palsa theextrazonal Peninsula. Polar Science, vol. 4,Iss. 3,pp. 489–495. Geograpie Physique et Quaternaire, vol. 53,N3,pp. 373–387. Riviere BonifaceRegion, Quebec:inferences ontheformation oficesegregation mounds. way. peryglacjalny, Biuletyn N26,pp. 25–31. Ǻ brotrophic peatlands in northwestern Quebec, Canada. Quaternary Research,brotrophic vol. Quebec, 77,pp. peatlandsinnorthwestern Canada. Quaternary 110–121. Magnan G.,Lavoie M.,Payette offire vegetation onlong-term dynamicsofom- S.(2012).Impact hman, R.(1976) Nor- ofminerogenic andmorphology The structure palsasinNorthern о 10’ 12-000-1008-018, contract 8339). 12-000-1008-018, contract innovative Russiaon2012–2013(lot2012-1.1- “Scientific andpedagogical personnelof no. 11-05-01141)andRussianFederal Program Russian Foundation for BasicResearch (project bythe supported waspartially This work ends withtheformation ofnewpalsa. ofthem,andthesubsequentdraining part formed palsaleadsto abrasionandsubsidence processing ofpreviously thermokarst surface 5. Someofthemoundsdevelop cyclically: paradox. geocryological Holocene Optimumare ofsuch mainfactors (dueto severepreservation winters) inthe high summertemperatures), anditsgood ACKNOWLEDGMENTS  226.08.2013 9:22:20 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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5 2 . Vasil’chukYu.K., Vasil’chuk A.C. (1998). The 23. Vasil’chuk Yu.K. dur- Siberia (1983).Aboutformation specificofpalsasinthenorth-west 22. P.,21. A.,Kuhry Välliranta M.,Kaakinen KulttiS.,SalonenJ. S.,SeppäH.(2010).Scattered late- V 20. S 19. Annaler. SeppäläM.(1986).Origin ofpalsas. Geografiska Ser.A. Physical geography, vol. 18. basinin River SeppäläM.(1971).Evolution ofeolianrelief oftheKaamasjoki-Kiellajoki 17. SalonenJ.S., SeppaH., Valiranta M.,Jones V.J., M.,SeijaKulttiS., SelfA.,Heikkila Yang16. H. R 15. Mos- Moscow Popov phenomenaintheEathCrust(cryolithology). A.I.(1967).Cryogenic 14. A.(1983).Pingos13. Pissart Me- etpalses:Unessaidesynthesedesconnaissancesactuelles.In OksanenP.O., P, Kuhry 12. AlekseevaR.N.,Kanev V.V. (1998).Permafrost dynamicsattheRo- J., McLaughlin Webster (2013).Effects ofachanging climate onpeatlandsinpermafrost K. 11. M 10. Vasil’chuk Yu.K., Vasil’chuk25. A.C.,BudantsevaN.A.,ChizhovaJu.N. (2011).Palsas inthenor- Vasil’chuk Yu.K., Vasil’chuk A.C.,BudantsevaN.A.,ChizhovaJu.N. (2008).Palsa of frozen peat 24. 7 Moscow. publ. University pp. Moscow Russian). 88–103.(In A.I.Popoving Holocene. In and V.T.Trofimov (Eds.). Naturalconditions of Western Siberia. European ofBiogeography, Russia.Journal in north-eastern vol. 38,Iss. 5,pp. 922–932. Holocenetreeglacial andearly populationsasdispersalnuclei for forest development Pechora Research, East-European Delta, vol. RussianArctic. 59,N3,pp. Quaternary 335–344. local environmental Research, vol. andphysical 75,pp. Quaternary characteristics. 366–370. 68A, N3,pp. 141–147. Finnish . Fennia, N104,pp. 1–88. Research, vol.European 75,Iss. Russia.Quaternary 4,pp. 100–111. (2011). coolinginthetundraofNE maximumandlate-Holocene The Holocenethermal Russian). (In vol.border Peninsula.Cryosphere, ofcryolithozone, theKola 16,N3,pp. Earth 72–80. press.cow University 304p. Russian). (In -Phys.Mathematische Klasse. Vandenhoeck andRuprecht. 3Folge, N35,pp. 48–69. der (Ed.).and E.Schunke AbhandlungenderAkademie Wissenschaften inGottingen. soformen desReliefs imheutigenPeriglazialraum. ubereinSymposium.H.Poser Bericht ence. Proceedings. Yellowknife, Nordicana, Canada.Collection N55,pp. 847–854. govaya peatplateau, Permafrost. River RussiaIn Confer- Seventh International CCRR-34. zones: aliterature review andapplicationto Ontario’s Far Climate research North. report vol. Cryosphere, tundrainHolocene.16,N3,pp. Russian). Earth shezemelskaya 53–61.(In dynamic. Engineering Geology, N2,pp. Russian). 56–72.(In limitsoftheareal andthemodern European andnorthern thern Russia:thesouthern mires. Prof. Yu.K.Vasil’chuk (Ed.) –Moscow. Press. University Moscow 571pp. Russian). (In bon, vol. 40,N2,pp. 895–904. äliranta M., Kaakinen A., Kuhry P. A.,Kuhry äliranta M.,Kaakinen (2003).Holoceneclimate andlandscape evolution Eastofthe eppälä M.(2011).Synthesisofstudiespalsafo omanenko F.A.,omanenko E.V. Garankina (2012).Permafr aksimova L.N., Ospennikov E.N.(2012).Evolutionaksimova L.N.,Ospennikov ofmire systems andpermafrost ofBol- 14 C Age Eurasia. Radiocar- ofPalsas inNorthern ost formation andstructure atthesouth rmation underliningthe importance of importance 226.08.2013 9:22:20 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

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5 58 GEOGRAPHY 8 ZuidhoffF.S., E.(2000).ChangesinPalsa Kolstrup inRelationto Climate Distribution 30. Yevseev V.P. ofthe ofmigrational inthenortheast (1976).Regularities palsasdistribution 29. Westin B., ZuidhoffF.S. (2001).Ground polygon, conditionsinafrost-crack apalsa thermal 28. Washburn A.L.(1983).Palsas Permafrost. andcontinuouspermafrost. In Fourth Interna- 27. Vasil’chuk Yu.K., Vasil’chuk A.C.,BudantsevaN.A.,ChizhovaJu.N. (2012).Palsas 26. inthenorth and 14monographs. Russian Academy textbooks university ofNaturalSciencesin2004.Heistheauthortwo wedge, palsaandpingo, aswell asinsoilsandlandscapes. amemberofthe Hewaselected cial Processes, vol. 11,N1,pp. 55–69. Sweden, Especially1960–1997.PermafrostChange inLaivadalen,Northern andPerigla- thology. Moscow. Press., University Moscow vol. 5,pp. 95–159. Popov In Siberia. A.I.(ed.). oftheUSSR.andNorthwest ProblemsEuropean part ofCryoli- Permafrost andPeriglacial Processes, vol. 12,N4,pp. 325–335. Sweden. and amineralpalsa()inthediscontinuouspermafrost zone, northern D.C., pp. 1372–1377. tional Conference. Proceedings. Fairbanks, NationalAcademy Press, Alaska. Washington, mics. Engineering Geology, N3,pp. Russian). 62–78.(In of limitsoftheareal dyna- andthemodern Western andnorthern thesouthern Siberia: Alla C. Vasilchuk Yurij K. Vasilchuk including “Palsa offrozen peatmires”. confidence bypollen.Sheisthe authorof4research monographs, todeveloped identifymassive possibility iceorigin with the massive iceand wedge and palsa”. More recently, shehas State to University beginof theMoscow on work “Pollen ratiosin 2004shejoined thestaff Geography ofRASin2009. In Institute and Dr.Vasil’chuk, ofSciencedegree andherDoctor from the ofProfessor in1987,underthesupervision University Lazukov University. Sheobtained her PhD from State theMoscow oftheLomonosov State Moscow of GeoecologytheNorth isotopesof stableandradioactive inthemassive iceand researchin 2009.His interests have withtheuse beenconcerned andSoilGeography ofLandscape Geochemistry Departhment 1996, andwasappointed to thepositionoffullprofessor atthe State in University oftheMoscow and Glaciologydepartment RAS in1991.Hehasheldprofessor positionsattheCryolithology Trofimov, andtheD.Sc. degree from thePermafrost of Institute ofProfessorState in1982,underthesupervision University State University. HeobtainedthePhD degree from theMoscow andSoilGeography ofthe Lomonosov Geochemistry Moscow is Senior research Scientists of the Laboratory is Seniorresearch ScientistsoftheLaboratory is Professor ofLandscape oftheDeparthment 226.08.2013 9:22:20 6 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 3

9 : 2 2 : 2 0 i1.nd59 59 gi313.indd is Senior Researcher of the Departhment NadineA.Budantseva isSeniorResearcher oftheDeparthment HögneJungnerisProfessor University. oftheHelsinki Hewas JuliaN.Chizhova the co-author ofresearchthe co-author monograph “Palsa offrozen peatmires” wedge, palsaandpingo, aswell asinsoilsandlandscapes. Sheis isotopesuse ofstableandradioactive inthemassive iceand laboratory. Herresearch interests have withthe beenconcerned State to University beginMoscow inmass-spectrometry work of Professor Vasil’chuk. 2007,shejoinedthestaffof In from State in2003,underthesupervision University theMoscow Lomonosov State University. Moscow SheobtainedherPhD andSoilGeography oftheof LandscapeGeochemistry the physical proximity. goodscientificstandingand byvery ischaracterized laboratory different organic includingpermafrost material . This luminescence dating, AMS andconventional 14Cdatingof andprecise thermo- outhigh-accuracy carries Laboratory Finland. ofHelsinki, University of NaturalHistory, The Dating , Finnishcreator anddirector oftheDatingLaboratory Museum “Palsa offrozen peatmires”. ofresearchand landscapes. Sheistheco-author monograph isotopesradioactive intheglaciersandpalsa,aswell asinsoils interests have withtheuseofstableand beenconcerned on “Stable isotope ratiosin theenvironment”. Herresearch laboratory State to University begin inmass-spectrometry work Professor Vasil’chuk. 2007,she joined thestaffofMoscow In of State in 2006,underthesupervision University Moscow State University.Moscow SheobtainedherPhD from the andSoilGeography oftheLomonosovLandscape Geochemistry is Senior researcher of the Departhment of is Seniorresearcher oftheDeparthment 60.039:22:20 9:22:20 26.08.2013

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