Impacts of paleohydrological changes on n-alkane biomarker compositions of a Holocene peat sequence in the eastern European Russian Arctic

► We analyzed n-alkane distributions and plant macrofossils from a Russian peat sequence that records Holocene climate changes. ► The peat compositions reflect vegetation changes that occurred during a transition from a wet fen to a relatively dry bog. ► n-Alkane contributions from rootlets that invaded the peat layers are also important to the biomarker compositions. ► Paq and n-C23/n-C29 biomarker proxies can be misleading when Betula and Sphagnum fuscum are major contributors to the peat. ► Larger ACL values record past periods of cold and dry climate in the Arctic peat sequence.