Where is peat formed

In the course of time, deep water deposits give their places to the sedges and carex plants. These also leave their places to various mosses. These areas are dominated by shrubs, and finally by broad-leaved and coniferous forest trees. The formation of peat is a relatively short biochemical process under the influence of aerobic microorganisms in the surface depths of the deposits during periods of low subsoil water. As the peat which is formed in the peat-producing layer becomes subjected to anaerobic conditions in the deeper layers of the deposit, it be preserved and shows comparatively little change in time [ 4 ].

In detail, the glycerin is quickly used in the form of carbon and oxygen by microbes under anaerobic conditions [ 3 ]. The residual fatty acids comparatively persevere by stable parts of the peat. These substances that might be obtained with non-aqueous organic solvents are together referred to bitumens. For instance, humic acids are thought to create strait from polymer or like microbiologic products. Peats, which does not have consensus on classification, are trying to be classified in different countries and with specific requirements of different disciplines.

Present classification systems are categorized based on the topography and geomorphology, surface vegetation, chemical, botanical, physical properties and genetic processes within the peatswamp [ 5 ]. Depending on the differences in their physical and chemical structures and their presence in the medium, these organic substances have been given various names. The physical, chemical and biological differences between organic soils are due to the climatic, topographic, hydrological, geological and botanical properties of the environment in which they occur [ 6 , 7 ].

Organic soils are distinguished by Soil Taxonomy as the Order of Histosols. Generally, Histosols has an organic matter more than half of the upper 80 cm [ 8 ]. Organic soils are commonly named mucks and peats.

Depending on the usage purposes, peat can be characterized in numerous ways. Assessing of peat materials for different purposes requires emphasis on distinctive characteristics. The most relevant characteristics of peats for many disciplines are listed in Table 1 [ 5 ].

The most relevant chemical and physical characteristics of peats [ 5 ]. The physical and chemical properties of the peats show a wide variation. The chemical properties of peat differ extensively and within particularized bonds owing to the chemical reactions as part of its formation. However, it is currently fulfilled that the fundamental properties of peats help to sorption and ion exchange. A comparison of some chemical properties of loamy textured mineral soils and various peats is given in Table 2.

Some physical characteristics of peat types and a comparison of cation exchange capacity CEC of mineral and various organic soils [ 9 ]. The characteristic of microbial composition of the peat production is a well-documented difficulty for incessant large-scale processing. Peats are chemically organic material, which leaves diminutive ash after it burned. Peat may be characterized by their ash content and acidity.

High-moor sphagnum peats are simply marginally decomposed with high polysaccharide content and comparatively high O 2 , and lower C and H concentrations in comparison to low-moor peats [ 3 ]. The peat is originated to have proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and polyphenols such as lignin whereas, nucleic acids, pigments, alkaloids, vitamins and other organic materials are existing in small amounts, along with inorganic materials [ 3 ].

Various B vitamins were found in peat [ 10 ]. Currently, the chemical and physical properties of peat have created significant environmental concerns. Number of studies has been appointed to full-scale plant operations and hence made significant production capacity of active carbon potentially by peat pyrolysis and peat coke production [ 3 ]. Pyrolysis alters peat from a material including H and O 2 with a very high carbon concentration.

Peat coke might be utilized like decolorizing and de-odorizing agent and a filter medium [ 3 ]. Activated carbons are arranged in different grades from peat.

Diverse properties are necessary for different responsibilities such as water purification, the removal of organics from starch, sugars and color and gas and vapor adsorption.

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Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives. Different regions have access to different renewable or nonrenewable natural resources such as freshwater, fossil fuels, fertile soil, or timber based on their geographic location and past geologic processes. For example, the Great Plains region of the United States is known for its abundance of fertile soil. As a result, its main industry is agriculture.

Corn, soybeans, and wheat are globally exported from this region and serve as the main economy. On the other side of the spectrum, the desert southwestern region of the United States depends on the Central Arizona Project canals to transport water from the Colorado River in order to support agriculture and urban areas.

Use these materials to explore the interconnected nature of resources and their distribution. A bog is a wetland of soft, spongy ground consisting mainly of partially decayed plant matter called peat. Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students. Skip to content. Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google Classroom.

Background Info Vocabulary. British Isles. Fossil fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. The terminal acidification stage of the hydrosere is characterized by ombrotrophic mires the vegetation of which is completely dependent on an ombrogenous water and nutrient supply.

Their substrate is not only acidic but contains by-products of anaerobic decomposition of plant material that are toxic to many plants and hence biodiversity is reduced compared to rheotrophic mires. Skip to content. Peat Peat formation The habitat requirements for peat initiation and accumulation are similar in every geographical location waterlogging, low pH, low nutrient availability, low oxygen supply, reduced decomposition rate but the physical and chemical characteristics differ according to specific site characteristics of landscape area and topography, climate, water depth and flow, nutrient availability and biogeographical availability of plant species.

The hydrosere The hydrosere is a continuum of vegetation types that replace each other as habitat succession proceeds from an initial phase open water or other to bog in response to changes in water depth, trophic status and plant communities. Go back.