From geophysical subsurface imaging to hydrological and geochemical monitoring in peatlands
(2026)
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- Abstract
- Peatlands are globally important ecosystems, essential for carbon storage, water regulation, and biodiversity. However, they are increasingly threatened by human pressures and climate change. They are highly sensitive and heterogeneous ecosystems, making them challenging to study. The first objective of this thesis is to characterize and understand peatland spatial variability in terms of subsurface composition and spatial moisture patterns. A second objective focuses on monitoring temporal variability in moisture and porewater solute concentrations, and understanding their drivers. Two study sites were investigated: a peatland degraded by past forestry activities in the Belgian Hautes Fagnes and a permafrost peatland in Alaska affected by climate change. Regarding spatial variability, ground-coupled ground-penetrating radar (GPR) proved effective for subsurface imaging, enabling the determination of peat thickness variability and the delineation of taliks (zones of unfrozen ground year-round within permafrost areas). Drone-borne GPR was successfully used to map spatial moisture patterns, revealing marked heterogeneity linked to topography and vegetation. Soil moisture variations further induced hotspots in porewater solute concentrations. Regarding temporal variability, drone-borne GPR and on-ground sensors captured moisture seasonal dynamics, with most variations occurring during summer. Porewater solute concentrations also varied seasonally, largely driven by moisture fluctuations. Overall, this thesis demonstrates the potential of geophysical methods to advance peatland research by revealing detailed subsurface and moisture variability. By integrating mapping and monitoring approaches, it improves the understanding of peatland functioning and key properties, offering guidance for their conservation.
- Affiliations
UCLouvain SST/ELI/ELIE - Environmental Sciences UCLouvain SST/ELI/ELIC - Earth & Climate
Citations
Henrion, M. (2026). From geophysical subsurface imaging to hydrological and geochemical monitoring in peatlands. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/273246