Age, origin and development of blanket mires in Sør-Trøndelag, Central Norway

Pollen analysis, ¹⁴C datings and peat stratigraphy from blanket mires overlying two of the six drumlins in the Momyr area NW of the Trondheimsfjord in Sør-Trøndelag county are presented in order to trace the peat development and vegetational history. ¹⁴C datings of the mineral soil/peat transition in 9 of the II profiles indicate that peat formation started about 7,800 years ago on the drumlin plateaux which at that time had a vegetation of scattered birch trees. From the plateaux the peat formation spread slowly down the slopes. Eventually, the mire surface bore a cover of pines which disappeared about 4,900 years ago, at the same time as peat formation commenced at the foot of the drumlins. This was probably a result of a change in the water table and onset of erosion in the already existing peat on the drumlin plateaux. During a period of about 1,000 years this new peat buried a dense birch vegetation existing at the lower part of the drumlins. Peat growth then spread upslope, and the drumlins' overall blanket of peat was completed well before the Subatlantic chronozone.     

Metals in a lateritic peat deposit — A case study from Sri Lanka

Peat is known to show metal enrichment. The geochemical enrichment factor (GEF) of U on peat humic acid is, for example, 10,000. Apart from U, peat accumulates a large number of metals including Cu, V, Ni, Cr, Zn, Pb, Zr, Mo, etc.

A large laterite bound peat deposit in Sri Lanka was studied for its distribution of metals. Most metals, in particular Be, Zr, Li and the majority of the transition series metals, exhibit a strong positive correlation with K, Al, Fe and Mn. A noteworthy feature observed was the poor correlation of the metals with organic carbon, as contrasted with a very good correlation with elemental components of clay. The laterites found around the peat deposit appear to be the possible source materials for the metals in the peat deposit. The geochemical distribution of metals in the peat is governed by:

1. (1) the nature of the organic matter;

2. (2) clay component;

3. (3) pH and Eh changes;

4. (4) marine-continental sediment mixing;

5. (5) nature of source materials for the metals.

Most of the metals appeared to be bound to the clay matrix, coated perhaps with hydrous Fe- and Mn-oxides. The existence of brine-rich marine-based sediments in the peat deposit had an important bearing on the geochemical distribution of the metals, as evidenced by the fact that in saline conditions most metals form chloride complexes, particularly under the prevailing acidic conditions. The metals thus mobilized interact with humic acids. The peat deposit under investigation provides an ideal setting for the study of the distribution of metals in a laterite-clay-peat mixture.     

Conceptual models for short‐eccentricity‐scale climate control on peat formation in a lower Palaeocene fluvial system,north‐eastern Montana (USA)

Fluvial systems in which peat formation occurs are typified by autogenic processes such as river meandering, crevasse splaying and channel avulsion. Nevertheless, autogenic processes cannot satisfactorily explain the repetitive nature and lateral continuity of many coal seams (compacted peats). The fluvial lower Palaeocene Tullock Member of the Fort Union Formation (Western Interior Williston Basin; Montana, USA ) contains lignite rank coal seams that are traceable over distances of several kilometres. This sequence is used to test the hypothesis that peat formation in the fluvial system was controlled by orbitally forced climate change interacting with autogenic processes. Major successions are documented with an average thickness of 6·8 m consisting of ca 6 m thick intervals of channel and overbank deposits overlain by ca 1 m thick coal seam units. These major coal seams locally split and merge. Time‐stratigraphic correlation, using a Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary event horizon, several distinctive volcanic ash‐fall layers, and the C29r/C29n magnetic polarity reversal, shows consistent lateral recurrence of seven successive major successions along a 10 km wide fence panel perpendicular to east/south‐east palaeo‐flow. The stratigraphic pattern, complemented by stratigraphic age control and cyclostratigraphic tests, suggests that the major peat‐forming phases, resulting in major coal seams, were driven by 100 kyr eccentricity‐related climate cycles. Two distinct conceptual models were developed, both based on the hypothesis that the major peat‐forming phases ended when enhanced seasonal contrast, at times of minimum precession during increasing eccentricity, intensified mire degradation and flooding. In model 1, orbitally forced climate change controls the timing of peat compaction, leading to enhancement of autogenic channel avulsions. In model 2, orbitally forced climate change controls upstream sediment supply and clastic influx determining the persistence of peat‐forming conditions. At the scale of the major successions, model 2 is supported because interfingering channel sandstones do not interrupt lateral continuity of major coal seams.     

Applications of Remote-Sensing Techniques in Peat Resource Investigations in Zoig■

The paper presents an example of the application of remote-sensing techniques in peat resource investiga-tions. The study was carried out in the Zoige region. The optimal imagery time (during October) and theoptimal band (MSS_7) of Landsat data were selected. The preferred images were processed optically and bycomputer and interpreted in a comprehensive way. And in-situ spectrum measurements and drilling verificationwere carried out.The identification signature of the peat bogs in Zoige was defined. The feature of the identifi-cation signature for peat was that the peat bog area showed a dark tone with lower reflectance in images of thefour MSS bands. The distribution range of peat bogs in the region was exactly located. The types of peat bogswere distinguished. The total peat area of 4038 km~(2) was defined with a total reserve of 5 billion m~3. The resultof the study indicates that the large-area, small-scale investigation of peat resources by use of satelliteremote-sensing data is an advanced method. by which the work efficiency can increase by about 20 times.     

The methodological basis for fine‐resolution,multi‐proxy reconstructions of ombrotrophic peat bog surface wetness

Amesbury, M. J., Barber, K. E. & Hughes, P. D. M. 2010: The methodological basis for fine‐resolution, multi‐proxy reconstructions of ombrotrophic peat bog surface wetness. Boreas, 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2010.00152.x. ISSN 0300‐9483. The need for Holocene peat‐based palaeoclimatic records of increased temporal resolution has been widely identified in recent research. The often rapid growth rates of ombrotrophic bogs, when combined with fine‐resolution (i.e. millimetre‐scale) sampling, provide an as yet largely unexploited potential to derive sub‐decadal palaeoclimatic data from this proxy‐archive. However, multi‐proxy, fine‐resolution analyses require changes to standard methodologies, and the application of sampling techniques that are new to peat‐based palaeoclimate research. A peat sampler was custom‐built to allow precise and replicable millimetre‐scale subsampling. Subsequent methodological testing revealed that, irrespective of sample thickness (i.e. resolution), halving the standard sample volume used for plant macrofossil (from 4 cm³ to 2 cm³) and testate amoebae (from 2 cm³ to 1 cm³) analyses and the sample weight used for peat humification analysis (from 0.2 g to 0.1 g dried peat) did not affect the interpretation of the results. A contiguous 1‐mm sampling resolution for plant macrofossil analysis was also tested, but it was found that contiguous 5‐mm samples provided a more reliable background record to fine‐resolution testate amoebae and peat humification analyses. Based on these findings, a standardized and systematic methodological approach was developed, using the custom‐built peat slicer to take millimetre‐scale samples that provide enough sample material for both testate amoebae and peat humification analyses to be performed at 1‐mm resolution. This approach will facilitate the testing of the palaeoclimatic reliability of multi‐proxy, fine‐resolution peat‐based records.     

Frost peat mounds on Hermansenøya (Oscar II Land,NW Svalbard) – their genesis,age and terminology

Here we present research on previously uninvestigated frost peat mounds occurring on a peat bog in the southern part of Hermansenøya, NW Svalbard. Detailed characteristics are given of the environmental conditions of the peat bog and of the morphological features and surface structure of the frost peat mounds, as well as an analysis of the internal structure of one mound. Three types of frost peat mounds have been distinguished: disc‐shaped mounds (low), mid‐sized mounds with gentle sides, and high mounds with steep sides. Radiocarbon dating of the peat within the frost peat mound performed for the first time on Svalbard and a detailed analysis of the deposits demonstrated that in the high mound (1.3 m) there is an ice‐peat core and peat cover without ice. There are three layers of peat of different ages separated by at least two hiatuses. A generalized history of the development of the peat bog from about 8 ka BP is established. The studied mound displays two development cycles unknown elsewhere. The older relict part of the peat mound was formed during a climatic cooling about 3.0–2.5 ka BP, while the younger part originated during the Little Ice Age (c. AD 1550–1850). Despite certain similarities of these mounds to some palsas, this term should not be applied to the mounds because they are smaller and their cores consist mostly of layers of massive injection ice, the presence of which indicates a pressurized system in their genesis.     

The use of principle component analyses in characterising trace and major elemental distribution in a 55 kyr peat deposit in tropical Australia: Implications to paleoclimate

The Lynch’s Crater peat deposit in NE-Australia is a sensitive environmental archive located in the tropical Southern Hemisphere. This unique deposit illustrates that local and regional changes had a profound effect on the local Australian ecosystem over the past 55 kyr. To obtain a proxy of past climate changes, trace and major element geochemistry analyses were applied to a 13 m peat core from the crater. Principle component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the main factors that control elemental distribution in the peat and to add interpretative strength to the geochemical behavior of selected major and trace elements. For example, Sc, Al, Cu, and Pb were found to be related to increased erosion of the basin soils, and from this, several periods of significant flux from atmospheric input and/or terrigenous run-off were identified. Geochemically mobile elements during rock weathering and pedogenesis, such as Mg, Ca, and Sr helped to identify the peat ombrotrophic-minerotrophic boundary at ∼1.5 m depth and offered important information about fluxes of these nutrients to the mire and their dynamics within the deposit. Arsenic and V comparisons between the peat record (high concentrations in some peat sections) and in local basin rocks (very low concentrations), suggested the presence of a long range, atmospheric dust source early in the formation of the mire. The Lynch’s Crater peat record presents a continuous record of environmental change in tropical Australia and contributes new understanding to geochemical processes in peatlands.     

若尔盖高原草甸土与泥炭土氧化CH4研究

若尔盖高原草甸土氧化大气CH₄的速率为-0.092～0.125 ng·g^-1·h^-1,氧化速率随着土壤深度的增加而减小,深度超过25cm的土层没有氧化大气CH₄的潜力;而高原泥炭土CH₄排放速率为0.236～1.088 ng·g^-1·h^-1,排放速率亚表层土(10～25 cm)最大.两种土壤均能氧化高浓度CH₄,泥炭土氧化大气浓度CH₄的速率是草甸土的15～22倍.两种土壤不同层次氧化高浓度CH₄的潜力都没有显著差异.降水减少或人为排水导致的泥炭地水位下降,将加强若尔盖高原土壤氧化CH₄从而减少CH₄排放.     

Evidence for an extreme climatic event on Achill Island,Co. Mayo,Ireland around 5200–5100 cal. yr BP

A range of detailed palaeoenvironmental analyses carried out on a series of three peat profiles from Achill Island, Co. Mayo, western Ireland, reveal evidence for an extreme climatic event, probably a storm or series of storms, around 5200–5100 cal. yr BP that caused the deposition of an extensive layer of silt across blanket peat. This event followed a period of relatively dry climate during which Neolithic communities expanded in the region. There was a subsequent period of continuing dry conditions allowing extensive colonisation of the peat by Pinus before a shift to wetter conditions characteristic of the later Holocene. The extreme climatic event is possibly linked to human abandonment of the area comparable to that observed from the work on the internationally significant Céide Fields in the same region. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coal facies in a Cenozoic paralic lignite bed, Krabi Basin, southern Thailand: Changing peat-forming conditions related to relative sea-level controlled watertable variations

The Cenozoic Krabi Basin in the southern part of peninsular Thailand contains about 112 million tons proven coal reserves. At present, coal is only produced from the Bang Mark mine located in the southern part of the basin, where the main lignite bed is 7-20 m thick. The lignite bed occurs in an overall paralic succession. The present paper investigates the depositional conditions of an approximately 8 m thick lignite bed (main seam) in the Bang Mark mine using organic petrography, including maceral ratios, and geochemistry. The results are further interpreted in a sequence stratigraphic context. The lignite is of low rank and is completely dominated by huminite indicating generally oxygen-deficient conditions in the precursor mire. Very low inertinite contents suggest rare occurrences of wildfires. The lower part of the lignite bed represents a topogenous fresh water peat mire with open water areas that in few cases may have experienced influx of saline water. The peat mire was subjected to periodic inundations and deposition of siliciclastics. Tissue preservation was relatively poor. The upper part of the lignite bed represents a slightly domed fresh water ombrogenous peat mire with a stable watertable and a balance between peat accumulation and accommodation space creation that favoured preservation of plant tissues. In general, the mire vegetation changed from less woody in the topogenous mire to more arborescent in the ombrogenous mire, where plants with suberinised wood cell walls also were more frequent. Decompacted, the lignite bed corresponds to a minimum ~ 11 m thick peat deposit that records from ~ 22,000 to 55,000 years of peat accumulation. Watertable rise in the peat mire was controlled overall by relative sea-level rise. In a sequence stratigraphic context, the lignite bed overlies a terrestrialisation surface (TeS; sensu Diessel, 2007) and the lowermost part records peat formation during a falling watertable and a decreasing accommodation/peat accumulation ratio (terrestrialisation). An accommodation reversal surface (ARS; sensu Diessel, 2007) indicates a change to paludification style of peat formation characterised by rising watertable and a high accommodation/peat accumulation ratio. Another ARS marks a gradual change to a situation with a balanced accommodation/peat accumulation ratio. The overall watertable rise throughout peat formation, but at a gradually slower rate from base to top, suggests that the lignite bed could be located in the late transgressive systems tract (TST).     

Storegga tsunami sand in peat below the Tapes beach ridge at Harøy, western Norway, and its possible relation to an early Stone Age settlement

One of the early problems with the Storegga tsunami deposit was how to distinguish it from deposits of the midHolocene (Tapes) transgression. An excavation on Harøy, an island on the outermost western coast of Norway, shows a distinct, clean sand bed embedded in peat and clearly separated from the overlying Tapes beach deposits. This sand bed continues in the peat landwards of the beach ridge for at least 60 m. Radiocarbon dates of the peat show that the sand was deposited some time between 6900 and 7700 yr BP. The sedimentary structures of the bed, the ¹⁴C dates, and the fact that this is the only sand bed in the peat, suggest that the sand bed was deposited by a short-lived event, the Storegga tsunami. On the neighbouring island, Fjørtoft, a Stone Age settlement, dated to 7500 yr BP, was discovered in the early 1970s. The settlement was found underneath a sand bed that later had been covered by the Tapes beach ridge deposits. When discovered, the sand covering the settlement was inferred as eolian sand. However, this investigation shows that the Storegga tsunami deposited a widespread sand bed on the land surface around this time with a similar grain size distribution to eolian sand. It is therefore suggested that the sand bed covering this settlement was deposited from the Storegga tsunami. Both the stratigraphy and ¹⁴C dates demonstrate that the Tapes transgression maximum was reached well after the Storegga tsunami on Harøy, between 6500 and 6100 yr BP.     

Testing commonly used X‐ray fluorescence core scanning‐based proxies for organic‐rich lake sediments and peat

X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanning has become widely available for geological studies during the last decade. The data obtained from XRF core scanning, however, may be strongly influenced by the amount of organic matter, water content, density and porosity of the sediment matrix. In this study we discuss the usefulness of XRF core scanning to distinguish different kinds of organic‐rich sediments and peat based on examples from tropical Lakes Kumphawapi and Nong Leng Sai in Thailand. We examined how sedimentary factors influence XRF core scanning analyses by comparing elemental and scattering ratios to lithological changes and quantitative LOI, TOC, biogenic silica (BSi) and grain‐size values. Our comparison suggests that the (inc/coh) scattering ratio is of limited use as an indicator for variations in LOI and TOC in peaty gyttja or peat. In Lake Kumphawapi's sediments, Si/Ti ratios reflect clastic input associated with grain‐size variations rather than BSi contents. The Ti‐normalized ratios of Si, Zr, Sr, K and Rb are linked to mineral input and associated grain‐size variations. We conclude that XRF core scanning of organic‐rich tropical lake sediments and peat is useful to infer palaeoenvironmental conditions. However, XRF core scanning data does not stand‐alone and needs to be underpinned by additional proxies.     

Peat/coal type and depositional environment—are they related?

Four bogs in New Zealand were investigated in order to understand the relationship between peat type and depositional environment. This relationship is important because peat type translates into coal type, and coal types can ultimately be used to infer how and under what conditions the original peat bog formed. In our study, no correlation was found between peat type and depositional environment in the four bogs examined. Moreover, no correlation was found between peat type and either tectonic setting or climate. Water table level and degree of fluctuation are the only parameters which seem to have a good causative relationship on peat type.The bogs, Whangamarino, Moanatuatua and Kopouatai in the North Island and Sponge Swamp in the South Island, all have different depositional settings ranging from coastal plain, to fluvial-meandering and fluvial-braided river floodplain. We found no diagnostic peat types that would allow those different environments to be distinguished from studies of the peat. Data from other tropical and temperate climate peat bogs also support our contention that no diagnostic peat types can distinguish particular depositional settings. However, the level and variability of water table does have a correlation, one that is also seen in bogs elsewhere.From our observations, we infer that the validity of using maceral ratios (directly related to coal type) to indicate depositional environment should be questioned. At best, coal type only represents to what degree the original plant components were degraded, but not how they were degraded. To infer other parameters such as depositional environment, tectonic setting or climate, other data (e.g. distribution of surrounding sediment types, palynology, etc.) must be collected and assessed.     

Factors controlling the vegetation distribution and coal‐forming environments in a strike‐slip basin. The Pennsylvanian Peñarroya‐Belmez‐Espiel Basin,southern Spain

Coal‐forming environments require humid to perhumid conditions. Tectonics governs the size, location and availability of coal seams developed in such environments. While large Pennsylvanian paralic basins generated thick and continuous coal seams, many other small coeval basins, which were tectonically active, developed a puzzling succession, with carbonaceous deposits that varied in size, thickness and the nature of the coal‐forming flora. This study, conducted in the Peñarroya‐Belmez‐Espiel coalfield, a Variscan strike‐slip basin in the south of Spain, provides insights into this subject. The coal seams analysed, generated in different depositional environments, have quantitatively different palynological assemblages. Lacustrine coals are dominated by lycopsids; distal alluvial plain/marginal lacustrine coals are dominated by sphenophytes and tree ferns, and middle alluvial fan coals are dominated by sphenophytes, tree ferns and lycopsids. This means that when conditions were favourable for peat accumulation, peat accumulated regardless of the nature of the available flora.     

Partial substitution of peat moss with biochar for sustainable cultivation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Durio zibethinus L</Emphasis>. in nurseries

The extensive use of peat moss as potting medium in nurseries worldwide is not sustainable causing peatland depletion and greenhouse gas emissions. This research seeks to explore whether wood biochar produced by the environment-friendly flame curtain method can partially substitute peat moss in plant nurseries without affecting plant growth and health. Biochar was produced from durian wood logs in a top-quenched Kon-Tiki earth kiln, crushed, and mixed with peat moss at dosages of 0, 1, 2.5 and 5% (w/w). Durian seedlings were grown in 2.5 L polybags arranged in randomised complete block design with 4 replicates per treatment. Plant height, collar diameter, pH, moisture content, number of branches and leaves, and plant health were monitored weekly for 94 days. Liquid fish fertiliser was used as organic fertiliser. Our results demonstrated that biochar can substitute at least 5% (w/w) peat moss without negatively affecting plant height, collar diameter, number of leaves and branches, and plant health. In addition, organic fertiliser is not required during the first 3 months of cultivation resulting in cost savings to the nursery operator. Plant height was found to be the most accurate yet simple monitoring parameter studied. A better understanding of the effect of higher biochar application rates as well as the number of times the potting medium can be reused without loss of potting medium properties and health can help to further cut nursery cost and reduce reliance on peat moss.     

Importance of vegetation type for mercury sequestration in the northern Swedish mire, Rödmossamyran

Even if mires have proven to be relatively reliable archives over the temporal trends in atmospheric mercury deposition, there are large discrepancies between sites regarding the magnitude of the anthropogenic contribution to the global mercury cycle. A number of studies have also revealed significant differences in mercury accumulation within the same mire area. This raises the question of which factors, other than mercury deposition, affect the sequestration of this element in peat. One such factor could be vegetation type, which has the potential to affect both interception and retention of mercury. In order to assess how small-scale differences in vegetation type can affect mercury sequestration we sampled peat and living plants along three transects on a northern Swedish mire. The mire has two distinctly different vegetation types, the central part consists of an open area dominated by Sphagnum whereas the surrounding fen, in addition to Sphagnum mosses, has an understory of ericaceous shrubs and a sparse pine cover. A few main patterns can be observed in our data; (1) Both peat and Sphagnum-mosses have higher mercury content (both concentration and inventory) in the pine-covered fen compared to the open Sphagnum area (100% and 71% higher for peat and plants, respectively). These differences clearly exceed the 33% difference observed for lead-210, which is considered as a good analogue for atmospheric mercury deposition. (2) The differences in mercury concentration between peat profiles within a single vegetation type can largely be attributed to differences in peat decomposition. (3) When growing side by side in the open Sphagnum area, the moss species Sphagnum subsecundum has significantly higher mercury concentrations compared to S. centrale (24 ± 3 and 18 ± 2 ng Hg g⁻¹, respectively). Based on these observations we suggest that species composition, vegetation type and decomposition can affect the mercury sequestration in a peat record, and that any changes in these properties over time, or space, have the potential to modify the mercury deposition signal recorded in the peat.     

Salt Marshes on Substrate Enriched in Organic Matter: The Case of Ombrogenic Atlantic Salt Marshes

Ombrogenic Atlantic salt marshes are defined as areas of halophytic, terrestrial vegetation which are periodically flooded by the tide and have a predominant underlying organic substrate comprising of wood and/or Sphagnum peat that formed under freshwater conditions. The objective of this study was to determine to what extent salt marsh plant ecology and, specifically, vegetation composition and zonation relate to this underlying substrate of organic matter (peat). A vegetation survey was carried out on nine salt marshes, three on peat substrate and two on sand, mud and sand/mud, respectively. In parallel, key edaphic variables were measured including pH, conductivity, organic content, moisture content and nutrients: ammonium, nitrate and phosphorus. Salt marshes on peat substrate are distinct. Ammonium content was twice the maximum reported in other salt marsh studies, while the vegetation composition of salt marshes on peat substrate was significantly different from that of other salt marshes. Salt marshes on peat substrate were found to be higher in species diversity and richness and characterised by a predominantly forb and rush community. However, some common salt marsh species, such as Atriplex portulacoides and Spartina anglica were absent from salt marshes on peat. Ordination analysis revealed that zonation was primarily associated with conductivity on peat substrates. In contrast, moisture plays a greater role in zonation within non-peat salt marshes. The findings confirm that the high organic matter content of ombrogenic Atlantic salt marshes is associated with distinct vegetation composition.     

Holocene peat growth and decay dynamics in sub-arctic peat plateaus, west-central Canada

Peat and net carbon accumulation rates in two sub-arctic peat plateaus of west-central Canada have been studied through geochemical analyses and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating. The peatland sites started to develop around 6600–5900 cal. yr BP and the peat plateau stages are characterized by Sphagnum fuscum peat alternating with rootlet layers. The long-term peat and net carbon accumulation rates for both profiles are 0.30–0.31 mm/yr and 12.5–12.7 gC/m²yr, respectively. These values reflect very slow peat accumulation (0.04–0.09 mm/yr) and net carbon accumulation (3.7–5.2 gC/m²yr) in the top rootlet layers. Extensive AMS radiocarbon dating of one profile shows that accumulation rates are variable depending on peat plateau stage. Peat accumulation rates are up to six times higher and net carbon accumulation rates up to four times higher in S. fuscum than in rootlet stages. Local fires represented by charcoal remains in some of the rootlet layers result in very low accumulation rates. High C/N ratios throughout most of the peat profiles suggest low degrees of decomposition due to stable permafrost conditions. Hence, original peat accretion has remained largely unaltered, except in the initial stages of peatland development when permafrost was not yet present.     

有机质含量及组分对泥炭土物理力学性质影响

富含有机物质是泥炭土工程性质不良的主要原因。不同有机质含量及组分的泥炭土,其物理力学性质差异很大。为明确有机质含量的影响,对数十组不同有机质含量无定形泥炭土试样进行一系列室内试验,系统分析了物理、变形、强度及渗透性随有机质含量的变化规律;为比较有机质组分不同导致的工程性质差异,将以上无定形泥炭土物理力学指标与纤维泥炭土试验数据进行系统分析。结果表明:无定形泥炭土基本物理力学指标与有机质含量间有一定的线性关系,其中,初始孔隙比（e₀）、天然含水率（w₀）、液塑限（w_L、w_p）、黏聚力（c）随有机质含量增加线性增大,比重（G_s）、固结系数（C_v）和内摩擦角（φ）随有机质含量增大而减小。相较无定形泥炭土,纤维泥炭土比重小、含水率大、孔隙比大。抗剪强度方面,无定形泥炭土黏聚力随有机质含量增大而增大,较纤维泥炭土略高;内摩擦角随有机质含量增大而有下降趋势,约为纤维泥炭土的1/5～1/14。渗透性方面,无定形泥炭土的初始渗透系数（k_v0）及渗透指数（C_k）随有机质含量增大而减小,且普遍小于纤维泥炭土。     

Investigation of failures in Irish raised bogs

This paper presents the results of field geophysical testing and laboratory testing of peat from Carn Park and Roosky raised bogs in the Irish Midlands. The motivation for the work was highlight the importance of these areas and to begin to attempt to understand the reasons for the failure of the bogs despite them having surface slopes of some 1°. It was found that the peat is typical of that of Irish raised bogs being up to 8 m thick towards the “high” dome of the bogs. The peat is characterised by low density, high water content, high organic content, low undrained shear strength and high compressibility. The peat is also relatively permeable at in situ stress. Geophysical electrical resistivity tomography and ground penetrating radar data shows a clear thinning of the peat in the area of the failures corresponding to a reduction in volume from dewatering by edge drains/peat harvesting. This finding is supported by detailed water content measurements. It was also shown that the peat base topography is relatively flat and indicates that the observed surface movement has come from within the peat rather than from the material below the peat. Potential causes of the failures include conventional slope instability, the effect of seepage forces or the release of built-up gas in the peat mass. Further measurements are required in order to study these in more detail.