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Peatlands in the northern hemisphere are a major carbon storage but face an increased risk of wildfires due to climate change leading to large-scale smoldering fires in boreal and Arctic peatlands. Primary organosulfur species are identified in the emissions of peat-smoldering, in part also containing nitrogen. Differences are observed when comparing structural motifs as well as the chemical composition of boreal and Arctic peat burning emissions, with the latter containing compounds with more nitrogen and sulfur.
Peatlands are formed through incomplete plant decomposition and consequential accumulation of biomass under waterlogged conditions. Boreal peatlands cover the largest area of peatlands worldwide and are home to a large variety of vascular and non-vascular plants that form the peat layer over time, especially, various species of Sphagnum mosses, sedges, and shrubs 4.
The vegetation of a peatland is dependent on the availability of nutrients, but also on the climatic conditions, most importantly the moisture balance, and surface topography leading to minerotrophic mires and ombrotrophic bogs hosting different plant and microbial communities.
Peatlands are also abundant in the Arctic, where permafrost can occur, forming an ice-rich foundation and a shallow active layer where vegetation and accumulation of organic matter are possible in the summer months 5.
