Solute Transport Properties of Fen Peat Differing in Organic Matter Content

There is a limited understanding of solute transport properties of degraded peat soils as compared to mineral substrates. A lower organic matter (OM) content is often the result of peat degradation and mineralization following artificial drainage. In this study, we aimed at deducing changes in solute transport properties of peat soils differing in OM content. Miscible displacement experiments were conducted on 70 undisturbed soil columns with OM contents ranging from 11 to 86% w/w under saturated steady‐state conditions using tritium and bromide as conservative tracers. Measured breakthrough curves (BTCs) were subjected to model analysis using three different approaches: single‐porosity model (SPM), mobile–immobile model (MIM), and two‐flow region model (TFRM). The results indicated that (i) nonequilibrium solute transport processes are common in peat soils; (ii) the TFRM improved predictions of BTCs with heavy tailing or two peaks; (iii) applied tracers, tritium and bromide, were retarded in peat soils with higher OM content; and (iv) pronounced preferential flow mainly occurred in peat soils with lower OM content. This type of strong preferential flow had a small ratio of measured to fitted pore water velocity and a greater ratio of velocities (vA/vB > 3.0) in the fast and slow transport region as obtained from the TFRM. We conclude that shallow groundwater resources are more likely to become polluted in drained and degraded fen peats that are used for agricultural purposes. CORE IDEAS: Solute transport properties of peat at various stages of degradation were investigated. The two flow region model improved predictions of breakthrough curves with two peaks. Applied solutes were retarded in peat soils with higher organic matter content. Pronounced preferential flow mainly occurred in highly degraded peat soils.