ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF MINERAL PHASES IN PEAT DEPOSITS OF THE DULIKHA BOG (BAIKAL REGION) ACCORDING TO THE METHODS OF X-RAY SPECTRAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The paper deals with a detailed study of the Holocene core of drilling peat deposits of the upland (oligotrophic) Dulikha bog. Based on the results of non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis, SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 oxides predominate in the peat deposit chemical composition along the section depth. The main minerals of the peat ash part are mica, quartz, plagioclase, bassanite, potassium feldspar; secondary one is chlorite, accessory ones are amphibole, illite. The study results of peat substance by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis showed that peat deposits are represented by a mixture of particles and conglomerates of various shapes and sizes. The elemental composition of the main matrix of samples is presented by an organic component with a high content of C and O and silicate mineral component with a content of Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe. Single small bright particles of facetted and semi-facetted shape with a high content of Fe, Ti, Ca, Ba and W occur in almost all studied peat samples. The mineral component of these particles may be represented by magnetites, titanites, single metal granules. The upper interval of the peat bog section (0-20 cm) is characterized by increased concentrations of Cu and Zn, that may be due to both anthropogenic stress on swamp ecosystems and high biophillyng, i.e. the ability to accumulate living matter.