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Bioremediation of Polluted Soil
Published in Volodymyr Ivanov, Environmental Microbiology for Engineers, 2020
Peat is an unconsolidated soil material consisting of slightly decomposed organic matter accumulated under conditions of excessive moisture. Humus is the organic matter in soil exclusive peat and soil biomass. The term is often used synonymously with soil organic matter. Humic acid is dark-colored organic material extracted from soil by diluted alkali and which is precipitated by acid. Fulvic acid is the yellow organic material that remains in solution after removal of humic acid by acidification.
Peatlands
Published in Yeqiao Wang, Wetlands and Habitats, 2020
Peat is also utilized for energy production. The use of peat for electrical generation is an important national strategic use of peat in Ireland, Finland, and Sweden. Currently, within the Nordic countries of the European Union, energy generation of peat is one of the most important uses of peat and will almost certainly remain important for countries with large peat reserves and in producing energy for isolated locations. The use of peat briquettes for burning in household stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces is also common in rural Ireland, but currently, peat is mixed with Miscanthus biomass to form more energy-efficient renewable products. Bord da Mona reports that overall, about four megatons (=4 Tg) of peat is burned for energy generation each year, of which one megaton (=1 Tg) is used for local burning in households.
Reclamation and Water Management of Tidal Lowlands in Indonesia
Published in Fransiscus Xaverius Suryadi, Soil and Water Management Strategies for Tidal Lowlands in Indonesia, 2020
Peat soils are formed where the production of organic debris exceeds their decay because of low soil temperatures, waterlogging, severe acidity or oligotrophy, or a combination of these. Peat soils usually have a low bulk density and bearing capacity, a colloidal nature and specific physical properties. Peat soils occupy some 240 million ha worldwide, mainly in boreal and temperate regions. The occurrence of peat soils is common in lowlands in regions without a dry season or with only a short dry season (Van Breemen et al., 1978). An estimated 32 million ha occur in the tropics, of which more then 20 million ha are in the coastal lowlands of South East Asia, see Table 3.5 and Figure 3.6.
Effect of sand column on compressibility and shear strength properties of peat
Published in European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 2019
Hanifi Canakci, Fatih Celik, Tuncer B. Edil
Due to high compressibility and low shear strength properties of peat, a number of investigations were carried out on improving the geotechnical properties of peat (Celik & Canakci, 2011; Cheng, Ngan-Tillard, & Den Haan, 2007; Edil, 2003; Erdem & Edil, 2011; Kalantari & Huat, 2009; Kalantari, Prasad, & Huat, 2013; Kazemian, Prasad, Huat, Ghiasi, & Ghareh, 2012; Nichol & Farmer, 1998). Edil (2003) summarises a number of construction options that can be applied to peat and organic soils, namely excavation and replacement, reinforcement, preloading, piles, thermal processing and chemical admixture such as cement and lime to enhance strength and stiffness of the peat. Erdem and Edil (2011) also studied on chemical stabilisation of peat soils by mixing self-cementing fly ash into it.
Stabilization of peat soil using locally admixture
Published in HBRC Journal, 2018
Peat is often referred to as one of the most problematic soils due to its low shear strength, high water content, and low specific gravity and it is severely harmfully compressible. Peat exhibits unique geotechnical properties in comparison with those of inorganic soil such as sand, silt and clay. As the peat soil is highly compressible, so it undergoes excessive settlement when buildings are constructed above it, and it causes consequently instability problems such as slip failure, local sinking and considerable primary and long-term settlement; even if moderate load is subjected on it.