Peat is what? Extraction, properties and use of peat

According to the tentative estimates of scientists, as of today, peat reserves on our planet amount to about five hundred billion tons. At the same time, a significant part of them is concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere. The reason for this is quite simple and is related to climatic features, namely, indicators of rainfall and average annual humidity. This article will deal with what peat is, as well as its types, characteristics and uses.

General concept

First of all, it should be noted that it is one of the types of solid minerals that is most often used in the production of fuel. It is formed in the swampy terrain and is the result of a massive accumulation of a variety of organic elements that have not completely decomposed. As a rule, the thickness of the deposits of its layers is not less than thirty centimeters. It is impossible not to note the fact that peat is a mineral that is more than half of carbon. In addition, it includes calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, nitrogen, as well as humic acids and plant fibers. Modern science distinguishes two of its main types - lowland and upland peat.

Spheres of use

The fossil has found quite a wide application. In particular, in the field of agriculture, the use of peat is associated with the production of fertile fertilizers, the greening of urban streets, mulching the soil and so on. In the livestock sector, it often acts as a bedding for livestock. In addition, it is used in the form of fuel, as well as for the production of medicines.

Main characteristics

As already noted, the numerous useful properties of peat allow it to be used in a wide variety of areas of human activity. In particular, the fossil provides a significant improvement in the air-water state of the soil, thereby increasing their fertility and yield. Together with this, one must not forget about the nuance that before application in floriculture or gardening it must become weathered, which will eliminate harmful acids for many plants. This takes an average of about three years. Moreover, the substance provides a high moisture capacity of various soil mixtures produced on its basis.

Fossil plays a very important role in nature. The fact is that it accumulates products of photosynthesis and atmospheric carbon. In addition, the substance acts as a kind of natural water filter, because the properties of peat allow you to remove from its composition various impurities, which include even heavy metals. This is its ecological function.

Low Peat

The first of the above-mentioned fossil species is characterized by a low level of acidity. Its composition includes many nutritional elements, which makes it an excellent fertilizer. The extraction of peat of this type is usually carried out in bogs formed in floodplains of rivers or near the foot of slopes. Its useful properties are associated with a constant saturation of water due to adjacent reservoirs and atmospheric precipitation. The fossil is weakly decomposed, medium-decomposed or strongly decomposed. This latter option is considered the best solution for soil fertilization.

Horse View

Horse peat is a variety that was formed due to decomposition of cotton grass, pine or sphagnum under the influence of atmospheric precipitation. In most cases, it acts as a fuel or a component of a variety of materials used for thermal insulation of premises. In addition, it often mulches soil. A characteristic feature of the species is the absence in its composition of pests, pathogenic microorganisms, and also seeds of weeds. In this regard, the fossil is often found in greenhouses and greenhouses. Whatever it was, it should be noted that it is poor in nutrients and quite sour. This makes it possible to use it as a fertilizer only for some plant species.

Education

Talking about what peat is, one can not but note the order of formation of a given fossil. It arises as a result of withering away in the swampy terrain of plants, which are then rotted under the influence of an abundant amount of moisture and in conditions of a lack of oxygen. The substance has a brown or black color and is fibrous in structure. In natural conditions, there is a large proportion of water in it.

Key parameters

Peat deposit is a concentration of different in nature and type of interlayers of matter that is located in a certain area. In the event that its depth in the undrained state reaches a mark of seventy centimeters, it is considered a geological reserve. It should be noted that peat is raw material, which in the process of its formation acquires a unique content of phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium and other minerals. In addition, different deposits differ in such indicators as humification, ash content and humidity percentage.

The concept of humification means the percentage of carbon contained in the peat composition, as well as the fertile and nutrient elements of the total mass. If this indicator does not exceed 20 percent, the deposit has a minimum degree of decomposition, when it is in the range of 20 to 35 percent - medium, and in other cases high.

By the relative humidity of peat is meant the amount of water in the total mass in percent, and under absolute - the same value, expressed in grams.

Ash content is another important parameter that characterizes peat. This value shows the percentage ratio between the content of mineral components and the amount of dry matter in percentages.

Risks and hazards associated with peat

The development of peatlands is fraught with certain dangers. First of all, they are related to the fact that in the process of dehumidification, the release of previously absorbed carbon dioxide can be accelerated. In addition, many of us have heard of peat fires. Studies show that they themselves never arise, because they are the result of human activities aimed at draining and mineralization of peatlands.