Secrets of Tomsk Marshes

How Siberia's Natural Sponges Work

Impenetrable but Invaluable

The marshes of Tomsk Oblast, covering up to 30% of its territory, are more than just impassable landscapes. These ecosystems serve as giant freshwater reservoirs, accumulate millions of tons of carbon, and purify polluted waters from heavy metals . Despite their apparent uniformity, Tomsk marshes have a complex internal structure whose study helps predict climate change and minimize environmental risks. This article reveals the classification principles of these unique geosystems.

Key Concepts: From Peat to Geomorphology

Marsh Geosystem

A complex of interconnected components: peat deposit, groundwater, specific vegetation, and microrelief. Peat thickness is a key indicator: from 30 cm to recognize an area as marsh .

Classification Principles

Tomsk researchers (e.g., Sinyutkina A.A.) distinguish three levels:

Genetic – origin and connection with relief
Hydrological – type of water supply
Phytocenotic – dominant vegetation ³ ⁵

Classification by Origin and Relief

Analysis of satellite data and field studies revealed the connection between marsh types and the geomorphology of Tomsk Oblast ³ :

Table 1: Distribution of marshes by geomorphological levels
Relief Type	Predominant Marsh Type	Peat Depth (m)	Waterlogging Degree
River floodplains	Lowland (grassy)	1.0–3.0	Very high
Terraces	Transitional (forested)	2.0–4.0	Medium
Watersheds	Raised (sphagnum)	3.0–8.0	Low

Lowland Marshes

Form in floodplains of the Ob and Tom rivers, fed by groundwater, rich in minerals.

Raised Marshes

Located on flat watersheds, fed by atmospheric precipitation, characterized by acidic environment ³ ⁵ .

Detailed Experiment Analysis: Sinyutkina's Geoinformation Study

Research Objective

To identify the connection between the relief of Tomsk Oblast and the structure of marsh geosystems ³ .

Methodology

Data Collection:

Landsat satellite images
Field peat samples (drilling at 120 points)
Geobotanical descriptions (composition and vegetation density)

GIS Analysis:

Layer overlay: relief, hydrography, marsh types
Calculation of NDWI moisture indices

Statistics:

Correlation of peat thickness and elevation levels

Results

70% of raised marshes are associated with watersheds above 150 m elevation
Waterlogging of terraces occurs 40% faster than floodplains due to slowed runoff

Table 2: Waterlogging rate by geomorphological zones
Terrain Type	Peat Accumulation Rate (mm/year)	Waterlogging Risk for Adjacent Lands
Floodplains	0.8–1.2	Low
Terraces	1.5–2.0	High
Watersheds	0.5–0.7	Moderate

Significance

The results allow predicting marsh spread and risks to infrastructure ³ .

Ecosystem Functions: Why Marshes Are Heroes

Climate Shield

Peatlands of Tomsk Oblast store >500 million tons of carbon. When drained, CO₂ and methane are released .

Superfilters

Raised marshes filter 685 m³ water/day per 1 ha - 4 times more efficient than industrial plants!
Capture up to 95% of heavy metals (Pb, Cd) thanks to gley barrier and peat sorption

Table 3: Water purification efficiency by different marsh types
Marsh Type	Filtration Volume (m³/day/ha)	Pb Concentration Reduction (%)	Economic Value (USD/ha/year)
Raised	685	92–95	9,126,000
Lowland	100	70–75	1,200,000
Transitional	350	80–85	4,500,000

Researcher's Toolkit: Laboratory in the Marsh

Peat Borer

Peat sampling without layer disturbance

GPS Logger

Precise sample georeferencing

Portable pH-meter

Environmental acidity determination

Chromatograph "Ecohim-M"

Analysis of gases (CH₄, CO₂) from peat columns

Reagent: Acetylacetone

Extraction of humic acids

Table 4: Key tools for marsh research
Tool/Reagent	Purpose	Example Use
Peat borer	Peat sampling without layer disturbance	Analysis of botanical composition and carbon accumulation
GPS logger with GLONASS	Precise sample georeferencing	Building waterlogging maps
Portable pH-meter	Environmental acidity determination	Diagnosing marsh type (lowland/raised)
Chromatograph "Ecohim-M"	Analysis of gases from peat columns	Greenhouse gas emission assessment
Reagent: Acetylacetone	Extraction of humic acids	Study of heavy metal sorption

"Marshes are nature's archives where landscape history is recorded in peat layers" (E.D. Lapschina, lecture 28.01.2025 ² ).

Conclusion: Fragile Climate Giants

The marshes of Tomsk Oblast are complex geosystems whose classification helps not only understand their past but also protect their future. Their drainage or peat extraction (as shown in studies ⁵ ) leads to CO₂ emissions, biodiversity loss, and river pollution. Preservation and restoration of these ecosystems contribute to global climate stability. Learn more at the "World of Marsh Ecosystems" lecture hall (project "RHYTHM of Carbon", 2025) ² .