The session will focus on the global geochemical significance of organic soils, in general, and of peatlands, in particular.
Relevant topics will include: (i) reconstructions of vegetation and climate of the past; (ii) reconstructions of the human impact on the environment, in terms of organic and inorganic pollutant, land-use, fires, etc; (iii) biogeochemical cycles of major and trace elements; (iv) organic soils as sink and/or sources of carbon.