Peat decomposition – shaping factors, significance in environmental studies and methods of determination; a literature review
Loading...
Date
2016-04
Authors
Advisor
Editor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Instytut Geologii UAM
Title alternative
Abstract
A review of literature data on the degree of peat decomposition – an important parameter that yields data on environmental
conditions during the peat-forming process, i.e., humidity of the mire surface, is presented. A decrease in
the rate of peat decomposition indicates a rise of the ground water table. In the case of bogs, which receive exclusively
atmospheric (meteoric) water, data on changes in the wetness of past mire surfaces could even be treated as data on
past climates. Different factors shaping the process of peat decomposition are also discussed, such as humidity of the
substratum and climatic conditions, as well as the chemical composition of peat-forming plants. Methods for the determination
of the degree of peat decomposition are also outlined, maintaining the division into field and laboratory
analyses. Among the latter are methods based on physical and chemical features of peat and microscopic methods.
Comparisons of results obtained by different methods can occasionally be difficult, which may be ascribed to different
experience of researchers or the chemically undefined nature of many analyses of humification.
Description
Sponsor
Keywords
plant remains, humification, microscopic view of peat, humidity of mire surface, palaeoclimate
Citation
Geologos, 2016, 22, 1, pp.61-69.
ISBN
ISBN 978-83-232187-4-6