Formation of Peat
- Under normal conditions the tissues of dead organisms are completely broken down by decomposers known as saprotrophs and detritivores
- These decomposers require specific conditions, such as oxygen availability and the correct pH
- If ground is waterlogged or acidic, most decomposers cannot survive, and only partial decomposition takes place
- Waterlogging occurs when levels of rainfall exceed levels of evaporation
- When ground is waterlogged, the air spaces in the soil is filled with water, and the conditions become anaerobic
- Low pH can occur due to mineral leaching, acidic bedrock, bacterial activity, and the growth of certain types of plant
- Waterlogging occurs when levels of rainfall exceed levels of evaporation
- Under waterlogged and acidic conditions partly decomposed organic material, such as dead plant matter, accumulates, and becomes compacted under its own weight over time; this compacted, partially decomposed plant matter forms peat
- The place where peat accumulates is known as a peat bog, or peatland
- There are various types of peat bog e.g. blanket bog and raised bog, depending on the landscape and conditions in which it forms
- The carbon compounds in plant material are trapped in peat
- Over millions of years, peat can develop into the fossil fuels coal, oil, or natural gas
- Peat is considered to be a valuable resource, and digging up peat bogs has been a common practice
- Peat can be burned as a fuel due to its carbon content
- The high nutrient content of peat means that it is often used in compost
- The importance of peat bogs as a carbon store and unique, biodiverse, habitat is now better understood, and many people work to protect and restore peat bogs
Examiner Tip
Make sure you know that peat is formed from partly decomposed plant matter that results from acidic and waterlogged (anaerobic) conditions.