According to tentative estimates of scientists, as of today, peat reserves on our planet in the order of five hundred billion tons.A significant proportion of them are concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere.The reason for this is quite simple and is related to climatic conditions - namely, performance rainfall and average humidity.In this article, we will focus on what is turf, as well as its types, characteristics and applications.
general concept
First of all, it should be noted that it is one of the types of solid minerals, most commonly used in the manufacture of fuel.It is formed in a swampy area, and is the result of a mass congestion of various organic elements which are not fully decomposed.Typically, the thickness of the reservoir layer it is at least thirty centimeters.It is impossible not to mention the fact that peat - is minerals which more than half is made up of carbon.Besides it is included in the composition of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, nitrogen and humic acid, and vegetable fibers.Modern science identifies two major of its kind - and lowland peat moss.
Application Areas
Fossil found fairly widespread use.In particular, in agriculture the use of peat is due to give fertile fertilizer, process landscaping city streets, mulching and so on.In the livestock industry, he often acted as bedding for livestock.In addition, it is used as a fuel and for the production of pharmaceuticals.
Key Features
As already noted, many useful properties of peat allow to use it in many different directions of human activity.In particular, the fossil provides a significant improvement in the condition of the water-air soil, improving its fertility and productivity.At the same time we must not forget about nuance that before use in floriculture or horticulture, it must erode that will eliminate harmful to many plants acid.It takes an average of about three years.Moreover, the material provides a high moisture capacity of different soil mixtures, produced on its basis.
Fossil plays a very important role in nature.The fact that there accumulate photosynthetic products and atmospheric carbon.In addition, the substance acts as a kind of natural water filter, because the properties of peat allow the output of its composition various impurities, which include even heavy metals.This is its ecological function.
lowland peat
first of the aforementioned fossil has a low level of acidity.It includes a variety of nutrients, making it an excellent fertilizer.Peat extraction of this type is usually made in the swamps formed on floodplains or near the foot of the slopes.Its beneficial properties associated with the constant water saturation due to adjacent reservoirs and precipitation.Fossil is poorly decomposed, srednerazlozhivshimsya or highly decomposed.That last option is considered to be the best solution to fertilize the soil.
Mounted views
peat - a kind, which was formed as a result of decomposition of cotton grass, sphagnum moss or pine under the rain.In most cases, it acts as a fuel or a component part of various materials used for thermal insulation of buildings.In addition, using it often produced mulch.A characteristic feature is the lack of species in its composition pests, pathogens, and weed seeds.Therefore fossil often found in greenhouses and greenhouses.Whatever it was, it should be noted that it is poor in the nutrients and enough sour.This makes it possible to use it as fertilizer only for certain types of plants.
Education
Talking about what peat, it is impossible not to note the order of formation of the fossil.It arises as a result of the withering away in marshland plants, which then rot under the excellency of the amount of moisture in terms of lack of oxygen.The substance has a brown or black color and is fibrous in structure.Under natural conditions, it is present in a large proportion of water.
key parameters
peat deposit is the concentration of the different nature and type of layers of material that is placed on a particular area.In that case, if it is in the depth of the undrained state reaches seventy centimeters, it is considered a geological reserve.It should be noted that the peat - a raw material, which in the process of its formation becomes unique content of phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium and other minerals.In addition, various deposits in different indicators such as humification, ash and moisture percentage.
concept humification is the percentage contained in the composition of the peat carbon, as well as fertile and nutrients to the total weight of it.If this figure does not exceed 20 per cent deposit has a minimum degree of decomposition when it is in the range of 20 to 35 percent - the average, but in other cases - high.
under a relative humidity of peat is meant an amount of water in the total weight percent, and under absolute - the same value, expressed in grams.
Ash is another important parameter that characterizes the peat.This value indicates the percentage ratio between the content of mineral components and the amount of dry matter.
risks and hazards associated with peat
for the development of peat bogs lie certain danger.They are primarily related to the fact that in the process of drying can be accelerated selection previously absorbed carbon dioxide.In addition, many of us have heard about the peat fires.Studies show that by themselves they will never occur, are in fact the result of human activity, aimed at draining of peatlands and mineralization.
