Abstract:
The research focused on brackish marsh soils located within the coastal zone of Puck Lagoon (the Beka botanical and
ornithological nature reserve). They are characterised by the presence of layers rich with allochthonous organic matter, derived from
washing out of peat deposits. The objective of the research was to determine sedimentary environments of the soil organic matter
based on selected properties. The obtained results indicated that despite similar morphological characteristics, these soils might have
developed in slightly different environmental conditions, determined mostly by the Baltic water levels and morphology of the coast.
The organic matter of the studied soils was characterised by relatively low aromaticity, which may indicate the ongoing process of
decomposition. The presence of both peat-bog, rush and ruderal plants, as well as trees in the species composition of macroremains
proved the heterogeneity of sedimentary environments and confirmed the allochthonous origin of organic matter accumulated in the
studied brackish marsh soils.
