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Physical Properties of Peats as Related to Degree of Decomposition
Author(s) -
Boelter D. H.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1969.03615995003300040033x
Subject(s) - bulk density , hydraulic conductivity , porosity , water content , decomposition , soil science , peat , degree of saturation , degree (music) , saturation (graph theory) , water retention , soil water , conductivity , fiber , mineralogy , materials science , chemistry , environmental science , mathematics , geology , composite material , geotechnical engineering , ecology , physics , organic chemistry , combinatorics , biology , acoustics
Important physical characteristics, such as water retention, water yield coefficient, and hydraulic conductivity, vary greatly for representative northern Minnesota peat materials. The differences are related to the degree of decomposition, which largely determines the porosity and pore size distribution. Fiber content (> 0.1 mm) and bulk density are properties often measured to indicate the degree of decomposition of peat materials and are criteria used to distinguish fibric, hemic, and sapric peat types. Regression analyses showed a curvilinear relationship of water contents at saturation, 5 mbar, 0.1 bar, and 15 bar suctions, to fiber content (> 0.1 mm) and bulk density with coefficients of multiple determination ( R 2 ) ranging from .66 to .88. Regression analyses of the logarithm of hydraulic conductivity on fiber content (> 0.1 mm) and bulk density indicate a linear relationship ( r 2 = .54), although not as great due to the variability of hydraulic conductivity. Thus the classification of peat materials and organic soils based primarily on degree of decomposition as measured by fiber content and bulk density would relate significant information about their physical characteristics.