Peat is vegetable matter which has been partially carbonized due to the way in which it decomposes. Over time, peat deposits have the potential to evolve into coal. There are a number of uses for peat, although the two primary uses are as a type of fuel and as a fertilizer. Many countries exploit and sell their peat resources, especially Ireland, Scotland, and Finland. In these nations, blocks of peat are readily available as a fuel source, and peat is also sold in less compacted form for gardeners.
The process of peat formation is very slow. Moss is one of the primary components of peat, although it may also contain other plant matter such as grasses and shrubs. In addition, peat often contains decomposing material of animal origin. In order to form peat, conditions must be wet, acidic, and cold. As a result, peat forms most often in bogs and marshes, which are wet with poor drainage, promoting peat formation.
The cold and acidity keep decomposition rates slow. It can take hundreds or thousands of years for a peat deposit to build up, as layers of new plant material grow on top of layers of decomposing peat. Many cultures associated peat bogs with spirits or gods, and traces of sacrifices can be found in peat bogs in many parts of the world. Tollund Man ( see the picture above), for example, is believed to have been a sacrificial offering to a peat bog. The highly acidic conditions of peat bogs have preserved some of these victims remarkably well, allowing archaeologists to learn more about the periods in which they lived.
When peat is harvested, it is cut out of the bog in long strips which are compressed and dried. Peat harvesting has put bogs all over the world in danger, as it can be collected much more rapidly than it will be replenished, creating a dramatic change in the natural environment of the bog. Once compressed, the peat may be fired as fuel, mixed into gardens to retain moisture and promote nutrient retention, or used to create biodegradable planters for plants. Peat can also be used to make paper, pad livestock beds, or pack products for shipment.
Questions To Consider
1. Why is the rate of decomposition in a peat bog so slow?
2. Why are peat bogs under threat?
3. What evidence for climate change can be found in peat bogs?
image courtesy of missyredboots at www.morguefile.com
1 comment:
I found this so interesting that I went onto the links to read more about peat. I really have never heared about it before.
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