PEAT
Peat
is a biogenic sedimentary deposit consisting of slightly compacted terrestrial
plant debris. Peat is the precursor
to coal. Compaction and heating of
peat leads to the formation of lignite coal. Further compaction and heating results in
sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, sub-anthracite coal, and anthracite
coal. Peat deposits are
geologically quite young and have not undergone any significant burial or
diagenesis. Peats form in stagnant,
swampy environments. Plant
fragments in peats are easily visible to the naked eye.
Peats are brown to dark brown in color, easily broken,
and extremely lightweight, especially when dried out. They have
relatively low carbon contents compared with coals, but they will burn in a
fire. Peat is used as a source of fuel in some parts of the world, but
burning peat releases a fair amount of particulate pollutants (it’s a
dirty fuel).
Peat
(4.2 cm across)