1.Fifty-four cellulose pyrolysis products in TMS form were identified and categorised.2.Cellulose aged for 2 years in peat soil and lake water underwent depolymerisation.3.Depolymerisation was observed as an increase in anhydrosugars as pyrolysis products.4.Between 2 and 5 years of ageing a loss of carbohydrates up to 60% was observed.5.The degradation of the material was more advanced in lake water than peat soil.