PEAT
WHAT IS PEAT?
Peat is an organic deposit made up of partially decomposed vegetal organic matter. It takes shape slowly in peatlands where the accumulation of organic matter overrides the decomposition due to the anoxic conditions caused by water saturation, lack of oxygen and high acidity.
TYPES OF PEAT
In boreal, temperate and subarctic regions, where low temperatures (below the freezing mark for long periods of time during winter) reduce the level of decomposition, peat is formed of bryophytes (especially Sphagnum mosses), herbaceous plants, shrubs and small trees. As is the case in Canada where the sphagnum peat moss is the most used for the production of horticultural growing media.
In the humid tropical lowland regions, peat principally comes from the decomposition of the organic matter from the trees and the herbaceous that are constantly subjected to high temperatures. Other types of peat exist in some parts of the world and under specific conditions; however, they all depend upon one key requirement: the accumulation of organic matter.
BOTANICAL COMPOSITION
The nature of peat varies according to its original botanical components and its state of decomposition.
The vegetation types that make up the peat affect its physical properties. For example, sphagnum peat will be light blonde and spongy, whereas sedge peat will be characterized by its fibrous layers.
Moreover, the colour of peat commonly reflects its age and degree of decomposition. Younger peat is usually pale yellowish brown and the plant remains are still easily identifiable. Older peat is more decomposed, darker in colour and its plant remains become harder or impossible to identify. The degree of decomposition of peat is measured using the Von Post scale: H1 refers to a lightly decomposed spongy fibrous peat and H10 to a much more decomposed black peat with the consistency of putty.
VON POST SCALE
- H1: The living and the first layer of undecomposed peat (blond or pale yellowish brown)
- H2 – H4: Blond to light brown / rough texture, spongy / distinct individual plant remains / slightly decomposed
- H5: Brown / slightly soapy texture / plant remains harder to identify / moderatly decomposed
- H6 – H9: Dark brown to black / fine soapy to pasty texture / few identifiable plant remains / highly decomposed
- H10: Amorphous matter, completely decomposed
USES OF PEAT MOSS
The main use of peat in Canada is horticulture. The horticultural peat industry plays a vital role in providing food security and well-being in North America.
Peat stimulates both plant growth and roots development by improving the structure of the growing media. It also increases soil buffering capacity and prevents the leaching of nutrients found in fertilizers. Peat can enhance the porosity and water holding capacity, which makes it the ideal ingredient in potting soils. Moreover, peat can loosen clay soils and enhance their porosity when used as a soil amendment.
The Canadian horticultural peat is mostly used in the preparation of seedlings of multiple greenhouse and field-cultivated crops as well as the production of vegetables, fruits and herbs. The production of cannabis or tree seedlings for reforestation represent other sectors where peat is widely used. Other uses can also be added such as gardening soils and green roofs and living walls.
Peat can also be used as an eco-friendly absorbant to clean up oil spills both on land and at sea. By undergoing a thermal treatment, peat becomes water-repellent: this procedure gives peat the ability to repel water while still absorbing hydrocarbons!
Air
Biological air cleaning processes, more specifically biofiltration, are popular due to their efficiency, environmental aspect and low cost. Biofiltration consists of transforming the molecules that cause odours and release gaseous pollutants (NH3, H2S, CH4) into microorganisms fixed on a filtering media such as peat. This type of biofilter can be chosen, amongst other things, to treat the air on composting sites and in agricultural processing facilities.
Water
The unique properties of peat make it an effective material in wastewater treatment. Since sphagnum peat moss is stable, very porous and fibrous, it filters the effluents and accelerates the biodegradation of wastewater residues.
Well-decomposed peat has a high thermal capacity, which is ideal for massage therapy since it promotes relaxation and stimulates blood circulation. It also provides the benefits of trace minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, polyphenols, lipids and humic acid.
In some countries peat is still used as fuel in homes, but this trend is tending to disappear due to environmental impacts on greenhouse gas emissions. In Canada, peat has scarcely been used as fuel in the past and is no longer the case nowadays because of the great availability of other more adequate resources such a wood.
Peat is definitely a surprising material which is constantly the subject of various researches and uses in order to highlight its distinctive features in fields as varied as industrial processes and artistic creations. From animal litters to ecological construction materials through textiles and handmade paper, keep your eyes wide open: peat may already be part of your daily routine!
USES OF PEAT
The principal application of peat in Canada remains in horticulture where it is used mainly as a growing medium.
Peat stimulates both plant growth and roots development by improving the structure of the growing media. It also increases soil buffering capacity and prevents the leaching of nutrients found in fertilizers. Peat can enhance the porosity and water holding capacity, which makes it the ideal ingredient in potting soils. Moreover, peat can loosen clay soils and enhance their porosity when used as a soil amendment.
The Canadian horticultural peat is mostly used in the preparation of seedlings of multiple greenhouse and field-cultivated crops as well as the production of vegetables, fruits and herbs. The production of cannabis or tree seedlings for reforestation represent other sectors where peat is widely used. Other uses can also be added such as gardening soils and green roofs and living walls.
Peat can also be used as an eco-friendly absorbant to clean up oil spills both on land and at sea. By undergoing a thermal treatment, peat becomes water-repellent: this procedure gives peat the ability to repel water while still absorbing hydrocarbons!
Air
Biological air cleaning processes, more specifically biofiltration, are popular due to their efficiency, environmental aspect and low cost. Biofiltration consists of transforming the molecules that cause odours and release gaseous pollutants (NH3, H2S, CH4) into microorganisms fixed on a filtering media such as peat. This type of biofilter can be chosen, amongst other things, to treat the air on composting sites and in agricultural processing facilities.
Water
The unique properties of peat make it an effective material in wastewater treatment. Since sphagnum peat moss is stable, very porous and fibrous, it filters the effluents and accelerates the biodegradation of wastewater residues.
Well-decomposed peat has a high thermal capacity, which is ideal for massage therapy since it promotes relaxation and stimulates blood circulation. It also provides the benefits of trace minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, polyphenols, lipids and humic acid.
In some countries peat is still used as fuel in homes, but this trend is tending to disappear due to environmental impacts on greenhouse gas emissions. In Canada, peat has scarcely been used as fuel in the past and is no longer the case nowadays because of the great availability of other more adequate resources such a wood.
Peat is definitely a surprising material which is constantly the subject of various researches and uses in order to highlight its distinctive features in fields as varied as industrial processes and artistic creations. From animal litters to ecological construction materials through textiles and handmade paper, keep your eyes wide open: peat may already be part of your daily routine!
THE HISTORY OF PEAT
The earliest mention of peat dates back to Roman times when it was used as fuel in homes. Peat continued to play a significant economic role in countries where trees were scarce, such as Ireland and Scotland, serving as a local fuel source in place of wood. Nowadays, in Finland and Ireland, it primarily serves at an industrial scale to generate electricity. Elsewhere in Europe and in North America, peat is mainly used in horticultural applications.
CANADA
1864
As in Europe, initial interest in Canada is focused on the production of fuel peat. Commercial operations first began in Quebec in 1864 and later extended to Ontario, but the activity remains small scaled.
1890
A small plant for the production of peat moss is built near Saint John, New Brunswick. The peat produced by the Musquash Moss Litter Company is sold as bedding material for horses. Operations ceased in 1895 after the plant burned down.
1914-1918
During World War I, sphagnum moss and peat are gathered from peatlands near Saint John, New Brunswick, for the production of surgical dressings.
1918-1939
In order to reduce its dependency on imported coal, the Canadian government conducts several surveys of peat resources across the country.
1939-1945
Before World War II, most of the sphagnum peat moss used in North America comes from Europe, particularly from the Scandinavian countries, Netherlands and Germany. As a result of the war, traditional sources of peat are interrupted and efforts to develop local sources trigger the modern era of peat production in Canada, mainly in British Columbia, Quebec and New Brunswick.
1945-1960
Canadian companies become the main suppliers of sphagnum peat moss for the North American market. Although mainly utilized for animal bedding, peat is also used in horticulture and as packing and insulation material. Harvesting consisted of cutting blocks of peat by hand with shovels and stacking them for drying. The blocks were then cut into chips at the plant and pressed into bales. Increased productivity was then achieved by importing cutting machines from Europe.
1970
Peat producers gradually abandoned the block cutting method in favour of the milling method using vacuum harvesting machines to collect the peat.
1970-1990
This is a period of growth and product diversification with the development of specialized potting soils intended for the various horticultural markets. Plant operations and bale handling are greatly facilitated by increased automation.
1992
Canadian horticultural peat producers initiate the first research project on peatland restoration, conducted by the Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) at Université Laval. This led to the development of Canada’s expertise in peatland restoration research.
2000-2010
Being the first producer of horticultural peat in the world, the Canadian peat industry dominates the North American market and is present in many other countries. It is also a model in terms of its management approach regarding the development of the resource as it fully endorses the notion of sustainability and responsible use of the resource. The development of a certification takes shape and ecological restoration becomes a common practice.
2015
The Canadian peat industry releases its first Industry Social Responsibility report.
EUROPE
12th and 13th centuries
Peat becomes an energy source of ever-growing importance in Europe. At that time, peat lands are worth three times more than the agricultural lands.
17th century
Peat begins to be used as fuel in the textile, earthenware and beer brewing industries. It also serves to improve soils.
1730
A new product appears: ash from peat. The ash left after burning peat for home heating, high in phosphorous with a minor amount of potassium, is applied as fertilizer in agriculture.
19th century
Germany develops the technology for harvesting and pressing fuel peat into small bricks. The horticultural advantages of peat are now recognized.
20e siècle
A new peat harvesting method is introduced: after milling the surface peat, large vacuum machines collect the dry surface peat layer.
Today
The use of peat for energy production has ended in most countries, except in Ireland and Finland. The value of peat in horticultural applications is recognized worldwide and Canada is the principal exporter.
PEAT MOSS IN
YOUR GARDEN
Why should you garden? Simply because it is good for…
My health:
- it improves my physical condition;
- it reduces my stress;
- it increases my level of energy (outdoor activity);
- it provides me with high-quality fruits, vegetables, fresh herbs and aromatics;
- it stimulates my creativity;
- it promotes interaction amongst friends and neighbours: we share tips, hints, etc.
The environment:
- it produces oxygen;
- it decreases air pollution;
- it improves water quality (reduction of erosion, slowdown of surface water runoff);
- it produces plants locally (reduction of the number of imported products);
- it lowers the temperature in urban areas.
My savings:
- it adds value to my house;
- it encourages outdoor activities (ideal atmosphere for relaxation and leisure).
PEAT MOSS IN
YOUR GARDEN
Why should you garden? Simply because it is good for…
My health:
- it improves my physical condition;
- it reduces my stress;
- it increases my level of energy (outdoor activity);
- it provides me with high-quality fruits, vegetables, fresh herbs and aromatics;
- it stimulates my creativity;
- it promotes interaction amongst friends and neighbours: we share tips, hints, etc.
The environment:
- it produces oxygen;
- it decreases air pollution;
- it improves water quality (reduction of erosion, slowdown of surface water runoff);
- it produces plants locally (reduction of the number of imported products);
- it lowers the temperature in urban areas.
My savings:
- it adds value to my house;
- it encourages outdoor activities (ideal atmosphere for relaxation and leisure).