<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>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.</p></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.

Peat decomposition – shaping factors, significance in environmental studies and methods of determination; a literature review

Department of Botany, Institute of Biology, University in Białystok, K. Ciołkowskiego 1J, 15-245 Białystok, Poland.

Geologos

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

A review of literature data on the degree of peat decomposition – an important parameter that yields data on environmental conditions during the peat-forming...

Peat decomposition – shaping factors, significance in environmental studies and methods of determination; a literature review

Published Online: Apr 18, 2016

Page range: 61 - 69

Received: Mar 06, 2015

Accepted: Feb 01, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/logos-2016-0005

Keywords
plant remains, humification, microscopic view of peat, humidity of mire surface, palaeoclimate

© 2016 Danuta Drzymulska, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Peat decomposition – shaping factors, significance in environmental studies and methods of determination; a literature review

Published Online: Apr 18, 2016

Page range: 61 - 69

Received: Mar 06, 2015

Accepted: Feb 01, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/logos-2016-0005

Keywordsplant remains, humification, microscopic view of peat, humidity of mire surface, palaeoclimate

© 2016 Danuta Drzymulska, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
plant remains, humification, microscopic view of peat, humidity of mire surface, palaeoclimate