Publication in ESSD – global peat depth database

How can we better understand the role of peatlands in the Earth system? The answer lies in Peat-DBase v1.0 – the largest and most comprehensive peat thickness database in the world. In a study published in Earth System Science Data, co-authored by Sambor Czerwiński, more than 200,000 measurements from across the globe were compiled – […]

Publication in Quaternary International – reflectance in paleofire studies

An article titled “Assessing the usage of flammability experiments and charcoal reflectance for interpreting the late Holocene record of fire” has just been published in Quaternary International. The first author of the publication is Alicja Bonk, and the co-author team includes Wojciech Tylmann. The authors proposed a new approach to reconstructing past fires by combining […]

Publication in Anthropocene – hypoxia and primary production in Masuria

Changes in oxygenation and lake productivity vary over time. One of the most important factors controlling these processes is land cover in the catchment area. The team, which includes Wojciech Tylmann, analyzed the impact of land-use changes and human activities on the mixing of lakes located in the Masurian and Suwałki regions. In an article […]

Publication in Anthropocene – hypolimnetic anoxia development

Water bodies, especially those located in urban areas, can respond very quickly to pollution. A research team including Wojciech Tylmann analyzed this process using the example of Maljalahti Bay, situated near the city of Kuopio in Finland. The ecosystem’s responses to events such as sewage discharge, construction of a wastewater treatment plant, and the installation […]

Workshop for high school

Once again, Ala Bonk — this time supported by Ola Orłowska — had the pleasure of leading a workshop titled “In the Microsphere of Varves – History Recorded in Lake Sediments.” The session was attended by students from the First Academic High School, who visited us under the supervision of our former graduate student, Ania […]

Publication in PAGES Magazine – HSI and μXRF

In the latest issue of PAGES Magazine (Past Global Changes), an international scientific organization supporting research on past climate and environmental changes to better understand their mechanisms and future impact, you’ll find a “Science Highlight” focused on combining μXRF and HSI data. Maurycy Żarczyński and Paul Zander present the principles of both techniques, the possibilities of integrating […]

Publication in Biogeosciences – peatland alkalinisation

In a new publication co-authored by Sambor Czerwiński, the authors demonstrate how pollution from cement plants affects peatlands, using an Estonian peatland as a case study. It turns out that even a small increase in pH by 0.2–0.3 can trigger lasting changes in the ecosystem, particularly impacting Sphagnum, a moss highly sensitive to alkalization. The […]

Coring platform

Her name is “Choike”. She has travelled and sailed halfway around the world and has now found a new home port. Although “choike” is a local term for a subspecies of the rhea bird, this time it refers to a lake sediment coring platform manufactured by UWITEC! From October 23 to 25, Ala Bonk and […]

Daria Wochal (UAM) visiting

On October 21–22, our Department was visited by Daria Wochal from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. During her visit, she met with Ala Bonk to explore the intricacies of macroscopic charcoal analysis in lake sediments. Such short visits are a great opportunity for learning and exchanging experiences in environmental research. We wish Daria continued success […]

New PhD students

We are delighted to welcome two new PhD students to the team at the Department of Geomorphology and Quaternary Geology! Two of our recent graduates have decided to continue their academic careers within our unit. Aleksandra Orłowska will pursue the topic ” The history of fires in the Victoria Region, Australia, in the light of […]