Fibrous Peat Research Articles

Stabilization of Fibrous Peat Soils with Addition Palm Shell Ash Waste

South Sumatra Province has a peat area of 1.4 million Ha. The distribution of peat soil in Ogan Ilir is 23,687.91 Ha. Peat soil has a low bearing capacity. This research aims to explain the effect of stabilization on peat soil characteristics. Peat soil samples were taken using the Block Sampling method. The research locations are Parit Village and Lorok Village, Ogan Ilir Regency. Peat soil needs better properties and is unsuitable for foundation soil for civil construction. To overcome this, one method of soil improvement is required, namely the chemical stabilization method: changing the chemical properties of the soil by adding a mixture. The mixture used is palm shell ash waste with variations of 0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%. Soil properties (physical and chemical), SEM, EDS, PTS, and CBR tests were carried out to determine the effect of this mixture. Soil properties test results: water content () in Parit Village 226.39%, and Lorok Village 252.39%. The fiber content (FC) test results for Parit Village were 25.18% and for Lorok Village 28.01%. Peat soil is classified as fibrous peat soil. The CBR value for Parit Village was 4.60%, and Lorok Village was 4.16%. The results of the immersion CBR test showed that Parit Village had a curing period of 7 days, a variation of 5%, namely 4.68%. Look Village obtained the most outstanding results: a curing period of 14 days, a variation of 25%, and 4.76%. The CBR value obtained in this study is 3%-5% (average) when used for subgrade strength with compaction conditions depending on the road category.

Substrates based on carbonized rice husk combined with phosphate fertilization in coriander and mustard seedlings

Combinations of substrates of easy acquisition and nutrients availability favor the production of quality seedlings with lower production cost. Aiming at an alternative for the production of quality seedlings from the insertion of low-cost, sustainable raw material into the commercial substrate, the present work aimed to evaluate the effect of different proportions of the composition of the carbonized rice husk mixture, sand and soil (3:1:3 V:V:V) with commercial substrate (composed of peat fiber and vermiculite), with or without added phosphorus, without development of coriander and mustard seedlings. The experiment was executed in a greenhouse under a randomized block design with six seedlings per plot and seven replications. The treatments were arranged in a 5x2 factorial scheme with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % of the combination added to the commercial substrate with or without addition of triple superphosphate. After 35 days of emergency, plant height, shot dry mass production and roots dry mass production were evaluated. The results showed that there was no effect on the phosphate fertilizer addition to the substrates tested in any evaluated trait, as well as significant interaction between the factors studied in the development of seedlings. The height and dry matter yield of shoots and roots were higher when the combination of carbonized rice husk, sand and soil was added to the commercial substrate in proportions of 50 % and 75 % and 100 % in both vegetables. Carbonized rice husk proved to be an efficient alternative substrate for the production of coriander and mustard seedlings.

Accelerating peat fiber decomposition by bacteria Pseudomonas taiwanensis and its impact on the physical properties and shear strength of fibrous peat in Palangkaraya

Peat soil is formed through the accumulation of undecomposed plant organic matter, resulting in a high fiber content that leads to poor physical properties and low shear strength. Consequently, peat soil is identified as problematic and detrimental in infrastructure construction. One proposed method to improve its physical properties and enhance shear strength is biological soil stabilization through biotechnology, with bioaugmentation as an environmentally friendly alternative. The objective of this research is to accelerating the decomposition of peat fiber by Pseudomonas taiwanensis bacteria, thereby accelerating soil compaction and improving its physical properties and shear strength. The subject of this research is fibrous peat soil in Bereng Bengkel Village, Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan. From the experimental results, it was found that the addition of 15% Pseudomonas taiwanensis bacteria to fibrous peat can significantly improve the physical properties and shear strength. Thus, Pseudomonas taiwanensis bacteria can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to improve the geotechnical properties of fibrous peat.

Bacteria Pseudomonas taiwanensis as a decomposing agent of peat fiber

Efforts are needed to accelerate the decomposition of peat fiber to reduce the fiber content through bioaugmentation using Pseudomonas taiwanensis bacteria so that it can reduce the high-water content of peat fiber. The research aimed to determine the effect of adding Pseudomonas taiwanensis bacteria on the decomposition of peat fiber. This research is a laboratory experimental research. The research sampling location was in Bereng Bengkel Village, Palangkaraya. The parameters observed included fiber content, fiber size distribution, and peat fiber decomposition speed following the Peat Testing Manual. The research instrument was an observation sheet for fiber content, size distribution, and peat fiber decomposition speed. Research data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. The results showed that adding 15% Pseudomonas taiwanensis bacteria with a curing period of 28 days in fibrous peat resulted in the highest reduction in fiber content, from the initial condition of 61.14% to 12.33%. This variation also shows a decrease in coarse and medium fiber content and a significant increase in fine fiber content. The decomposition rate for this variation shows good consistency. The conclusion was that adding 15% Pseudomonas taiwanensis bacteria with a curing period of 28 days showed optimal results in accelerating the decomposition of peat fiber through the bioaugmentation method.

Анализ грейферной выемки волокнистого торфяного сырья

The purpose of the study was to confirm the possibility of implementing the operations of the working cycle of mining equipment with the determination of the range of forces required to introduce the elements of the grab into the deposit and close the jaws in the massif, taking into account the design features of the grab. Research methodology. A series of field studies was carried out using full-scale models of the working bodies of a fork grab in the conditions of a peat deposit to confirm the possibility of implementing the process of extracting raw materials of a low degree of decomposition. Results. It has been established that the average value of the force required overcoming the resistance to the introduction of the grab model: on the site with magellanicum peat – 44.4 kN, with fuscum-peat – 61.5 kN. The average value of the normal stress when immersed in an array of a clamshell equipment element, taking into account the end surface area, is 89 kPa for: magellanicum peat, 123 kPa for fuscum-peat. The average value of the total deformation modulus in the natural occurrence of a peat deposit is 116 kPa for magellanicum peat and 126 kPa for fuscum-peat. The rational distance between the teeth of the jaw model of the fork grab has been determined. With a distance between the teeth of the grab jaw model l=0.25 m, a single drawing body is formed when the captured area of the material is shifted. Conclusion. With the determination of the effort ranges for the implementation of the two main operations of the excavation process, as well as the establishment of the design features of the grab for surface excavation, it was concluded that it is possible to use grab equipment for the surface extraction of fibrous peat raw materials.

Mechanism of sampling disturbance for peat ground and its influence on mechanical properties

A soil investigation was conducted in peatlands in Japan, using two types of tube sampling methods, and the quality of the samples was evaluated. Unlike clays, peats easily lose water by compressive actions involved in sampler intrusion and core extrusion, leading to a significant loss of pore water. It was shown that this effect could be minimized by careful thin-wall sampling with a stationary piston, whereas open-drive sampling without a piston led to the significant compression of the sample core. The consequence of this disturbance on the in-situ behavior was interpreted through an examination of the mechanical properties of peat samples subjected to the “strain paths” expected during sampling in laboratory tests. By observing the deformation characteristics through a series of constant-rate-of-strain consolidation, unconfined compression, triaxial compression, and bender element tests, it was demonstrated that, contrary to soft clays, fibrous peats with high initial permeability potentially lead to the underestimation of the settlement during construction and the overestimation of strength due to inappropriate sampling. These results can be explained by the dominance of densification by disturbance over soil structure degradation. It was also noted that the sample quality varied considerably within the sampling tube.

Behaviour of 60-year-old trial embankments on peat

The search for low cost solutions for roads on peatlands inspired the construction of four full scale trial embankments at two sites in Norway in the early 1960's. The embankments are still accessible and this work was motivated by present day needs to develop environmentally sustainable solutions to such problems. The embankments were constructed using locally sourced sand and sawdust and have behaved very well with the sawdust settling beneath the water table as designed and remaining in perfect condition some 60 years later. A detailed characterisation of the distinctly different peat at the two sites is presented and it is shown that the peat properties are as expected from local and international experience. Laboratory work on the sawdust showed that it behaves like a highly compressible fibrous peat. Short-term embankment settlement behaviour was controlled by the level of applied load whereas long-term creep settlements were governed by the peat consolidation properties. Pore water pressures dissipated unexpectedly quickly. Modelling using the Soft Soil Creep model in PLAXIS captured both short- and long-term settlements and the pore pressure dissipation well.

Evidence of Uranotaenia sapphirina (Diptera: Culicidae) feeding on annelid worms in the Northeastern United States.

Mosquito host-feeding behavior is an important parameter for determining the vector potential of mosquito species in a given locale. Despite the recent discovery of Uranotaenia sapphirina Osten Sacken feeding on annelid hosts in Florida, host association studies for this mosquito species in the United States remain limited. To investigate the blood-feeding pattern of Ur. sapphirina in the northeastern United States, mosquitoes were collected from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey using CDC miniature light traps, peat fiber resting boxes, gravid traps, and backpack aspirators. Vertebrate and invertebrate hosts of this mosquito species were identified through PCR amplification and nucleotide sequencing of portions of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and the 28S ribosomal RNA gene, respectively. Of 21 (24.7%) specimens successfully identified to host species, 47.6% contained solely annelid blood, 14.3% mammalian blood, 14.3% avian blood, and 23.8% with mixed blood of annelid and avian origin. The mud earthworm, Sparganophilus tennesseensis Reynolds (Haplotaxida: Sparganophilidae), was identified as the most common host (n = 14, including mixed bloods), followed by American robin, Turdus migratorius (n = 7, including mixed bloods). Testing of these blood engorged mosquitoes for West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus did not result in any positive specimens. This is the first report of Ur. sapphirina feeding on annelids and on both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts in mixed bloodmeals in the northeastern United States. Our findings support the recent report of Ur. sapphirina feeding on invertebrates and further emphasizes the inclination of some mosquito species to feed on a wider range of hosts spanning nontraditional taxonomic groups.

An insight into drying-wetting cycles of peat

A relevant part of the geotechnical infrastructure in the north of Europe and overseas is built on soft organic soils, including peat. Peat is extremely vulnerable to climate-related hazards as increased temperature accelerates drying, shrinkage and decomposition of the organic matter. Peat exhibits dramatic changes in volume with changes in water content. As the material deforms, the pore space evolves and changes the water retention response. The evolution of the pore space leads to a hysteretic relationship between suction, water content, and void size distribution. In this work, data from free shrinkage-swelling and suction measurements on natural fibrous peat subjected to drying and wetting cycles are presented and discussed. The water retention and shrinkage behaviour of the samples are modelled by accounting for capillarity and considering the evolution of the pore size distribution. X-Ray computer tomography was used to explore the change in the pore space upon shrinkage and drying. The experimental evidence shows that peat experiences distinct shrinkage zones including one where accelerated contraction occurs. Such behaviour is explained as a consequence of the interactions of an aggregated fabric. This is supported by the conceptual modelling approach that highlights the pivotal role of the evolving pore space.

The effect of soil fabric on shrinkage behaviour and microstructure evolution of soft soils upon drying

Soft soils often contain important fractions of fines and organic matter which are characterized by high shrinkage potential. Investigating the shrinkage behaviour of soft soils is of primary importance to assess the durability of infrastructures exposed to climatic stresses. This paper investigates the influence of soil fabric on the shrinkage properties and the change in the microporosity structures over drying. Soil shrinkage tests were performed on Shenzhen soft clay (SZ soft clay) and fibrous peat. The effect of the initial fabric was investigated by comparing the samples at natural and reconstituted states, and the reconstituted peat samples with different fibre contents. To assist in the interpretation of the results, microstructural changes in the soil fabric were investigated by mercury intrusion porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and micro-CT scan. As the water gradually drains from the multilevel pores, different drying stages were identified. Pore refinements occurred during the drying process, accompanied by a progressive reduction in the peak pore entrance. Contrary to SZ soft clay, intensive shrinkage occurred in the last stage of fibrous peats, due to the collapse of interpores and cracks created during drying. The results showed that the magnitude of the intensive shrinkage increased with the fibre content. It suggests that fibres act as an unstable element in peat upon drying.

Crystallinity, Chemical, Thermal, and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Rice Husk/Coco Peat Fiber Reinforced ABS Biocomposites

ABSTRACT Disposing of agricultural waste is difficult, and the most significant challenge today is to find novel ways to utilize these residues. This work attempts to evaluate dynamic mechanical, thermal, crystallinity, and chemical properties of rice husk (RH) and coco peat (CP) acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) hybrid composites at varying fiber compositions. RH/CP hybrid composites at 20/0 wt.%, 5/15 wt.%, 10/10 wt.%, 15/5 wt.%, and 0/20 wt.% of RH/CP fibers were fabricated. The dynamic mechanical properties, such as the loss modulus, storage modulus, and damping factor, were investigated via dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Overall, the incorporation of single and hybrid RH and CP reinforcements reduced the crystallinity. Despite that, the chemical and damping properties were considerably enhanced. 15/5 RH/CP composite had a storage modulus of 1970 MPa, which is 11% lower than neat ABS at 2220 MPa. The tan δ of neat ABS was 0.7067, whereas 20/0 RH/CP had the highest tan δ at 2.0603. Based on DMA, the filler ratio did not influence the thermal property. Overall, the findings show that hybrid RH/CP/ABS composite at 15/5 wt.% of RH/CP fibers enables the substitution of synthetic ABS with an acceptable level of characteristics and will be particularly useful for damping applications.

Antibacterial Bio-Nanocomposite Textile Material Produced from Natural Resources.

Growing demand for sustainable and green technologies has turned industries and research toward the more efficient utilization of natural and renewable resources. In an effort to tackle this issue, we developed an antibacterial textile nanocomposite material based on cotton and peat fibers with immobilized Cu-based nanostructures. In order to overcome poor wettability and affinity for Cu2+-ions, the substrate was activated by corona discharge and coated with the biopolymer chitosan before the in situ synthesis of nanostructures. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images show that the application of gallic or ascorbic acid as green reducing agents resulted in the formation of Cu-based nanosheets and mostly spherical nanoparticles, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that the formed nanostructures consisted of Cu2O and CuO. A higher-concentration precursor solution led to higher copper content in the nanocomposites, independent of the reducing agent and chitosan deacetylation degree. Most of the synthesized nanocomposites provided maximum reduction of the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. A combined modification using chitosan with a higher deacetylation degree, a 1 mM solution of CuSO4 solution, and gallic acid resulted in an optimal textile nanocomposite with strong antibacterial activity and moderate Cu2+-ion release in physiological solutions. Finally, the Cu-based nanostructures partially suppressed the biodegradation of the textile nanocomposite in soil.

Discussion of “Physio-Chemical Properties, Consolidation, and Stabilization of Tropical Peat Soil Using Traditional Soil Additives — A State of the Art Literature Review” by Afnan Ahmada, Muslich Hartadi Sutantoa, Mohammed Ali Mohammed Al-Bareda, Indra Sati Hamonangan Harahapa, Seyed Vahid Alavi Nezhad Khalil Abada, Mudassir Ali Khana

This discussion article provides commenting on the sections of the review paper by Ahmad et al. (the authors) concerning consistency limits determinations for peats and peaty soils, drawing on the writer's experiences regarding the usefulness of liquid limit (LL) and plastic limit (PL) testing/results for these soils in explaining their geotechnical behaviors/properties. From the writer's experience, despite being regularly specified in geotechnical engineering practice and used in research work, the conventional consistency limits tests generally do not produce physically meaningful results when testing peat soils, especially for more fibrous peats. Hence, the writer does not agree with the authors' recommendations on consistency limits testing of peats; namely, they recommended that an utmost effort is needed to improve the quality and standard of the thread rolling test and the fall-cone test for consistency limits determinations of highly organic soils such as peat. Rather than grappling with various known inherent shortcomings of consistency limits testing for peats and other highly organic soils, a suggested way forward for assessing the likely geoengineering behavior/properties of these materials points to the routine measurement of a more useful suite of index tests; namely, their natural water content, organic content, fiber content, and humification (decomposition) level. In this discussion, the above aspects are explored in detail, including greater elaboration of the writer's earlier research work in this area, which was touched on in the authors' paper.

Cellulose degrading bacteria isolated from Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia as peat fiber decomposer to accelerate peat soil compression

Abstract. Zulaika E, Solikhah F, Utomo MAP, Endah N, Assavalapsakul W. 2022. Cellulose degrading bacteria isolated from Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia as peat fiber decomposer to accelerate peat soil compression. Biodiversitas 23: 1648-1654. Peat soil was established from incomplete weathered plants. It delays the process of soil compression. The main components of peat soil are fibers which made of cellulose and lignin that can be enzymatically degraded by cellulolignolytic bacteria. The objective of this study was to isolate indigenous lignocellulolytic bacteria from peat soil that perform peat fiber degradation to accelerate soil compression process. A bacteria screening test was carried out on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) media and bacteria identification using 16S rRNA gene markers. Peat fiber decomposition test based on biomass loss, decomposition results were visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The results of screening and identification obtained 5 bacterial species, namely Pseudomonas taiwanensis U3 and Bacillus cereus D1, D3, U2, U4. After six weeks of incubation, P. taiwanensis U3 showed the highest cellulase activity than other isolates with 90% decomposition ability of peat fibers. The results of the decomposition of peat fibers with the addition of isolates visualized smaller pore sizes than control. Stretching occurs in the aromatic group of the C-O ester bond, the CºC structure of the alkyne group, and the O-H of the alcohol. All obtained bacteria isolates were still viable after six weeks of incubation with 104 CFU g-1 dry weight of fiber. The present investigation deals with isolating indigenous lignocellulolytic bacteria from peat soil that perform peat fiber degradation to accelerate the soil compression process. Our findings are also the first publication that reported P. taiwanensis cellulolytic potential.

Consequences of drying on the hydro-mechanical response of fibrous peats upon compression

Peats are encountered in waterlogged deltaic areas, where degradation is delayed by favourable environmental conditions. The recent increase in frequency and severity of droughts is expected to accelerate peat degradation, in turn increasing subsidence and flood risk, urging better understanding of the response of peats to drying events. To this aim, compression tests on natural and reconstituted peat samples were performed, supported by X-ray micro-computed tomography. The peat fabric was found to be the key factor in the response to drying, with fibres playing the most significant role. Drying in peats starts affecting the macro-fabric, with an irreversible reduction in volume and disruption of the fibrous network occurring under saturated conditions until a threshold void ratio is reached, below which desaturation occurs of the intra-fibres and intra-peds pores. The first drying stage dramatically decreases the compressibility, while the hydraulic conductivity is hardly affected due to the enlargement of macropores. Secondary compressibility is affected by the peat fabric besides the organic content. The total organic content does not change substantially during drying; hence, it is not the best proxy to describe the consequences of drying on the response of fibrous peats. The fibre content can be better used to serve the aim.

Thermal Imaging Study on The Effect of Permeability on Smouldering Behaviour of a Tropical Peat

Smouldering is a slow-burning, low-temperature, flameless combustion, and frequently happens in peatland fires. The smouldering spread occurs because of the parameter achievement in oxygen supply, generated heat, and heat released to the environment. The condition of porous and fibrous peat soils makes oxygen supply easily happens. The difficulty of getting to the location of the burning peatland is one of the problems to extinguish the fire. This study aims to observe with thermal imaging study the effect of peat permeability on smouldering behaviour of a tropical peat sample. Mechanical compaction was applied to reduce permeability and pore value in the central of the peat soil. Then, peat soil is ignited to create the smouldering propagation through the compacted peat area. The combustion process that occurs on the surface is observed by a visual camera and an Infrared FLIR Thermal Camera. The initial results showed a reduction in the smouldering spread rate on the compacted soil region as compared to the undisturbed peat smouldering region. Nevertheless, smouldering combustion of peat still occurred in all regions of the reactor, once the smouldering front could penetrate the compacted region.

Cyclic shearing behavior and dynamic characteristics of a fibrous peat

Cyclic shearing behavior, dynamic characteristics, and post-cyclic volume change of a peat sublayer from the Port Lands area of Toronto (Ontario, Canada) are investigated in this study. Laboratory specimens are trimmed from block samples collected from a depth of about 4.0 to 4.5 m. Constant-volume cyclic direct simple shear tests indicate an initial reduction of effective stress with number of stress cycles. However, the corresponding excess pore pressure ratios do not exceed 60%, indicating a cyclic mobility behavior in the peat specimens. Maximum shear moduli of the peat samples are also determined from shear wave velocity measurements. Post-cyclic volumetric strain, as well as the variations of secant modulus, modulus reduction, and damping ratio of the peat, are presented in terms of cyclic shear strain and compared with other studies. Empirical relationships are proposed for characterizing the shear modulus and damping ratio of Toronto peat.

Physio-Chemical Properties, Consolidation, and Stabilization of Tropical Peat Soil Using Traditional Soil Additives — A State of the Art Literature Review

Peat is formed by the degradation of plants and animals in the lack of oxygen and is widely known for its very weak geotechnical characteristics. This is the reason to be considered as an unsuitable foundation soil for construction activities. Several attempts have been made to characterize and stabilize peat soil to make construction viable. This study encapsulates an extensive literature review of the available published data for Atterberg limits, consolidation, and stabilization of peat soil using traditional additives, especially cement and lime. Moreover, peat formation and distribution around the world are also discussed. The analysis of the gathered data shows that peat soils having a high amount of fibers may suffer a large amount of secondary consolidation when the load is applied. Besides, the compressibility factors vary for Malaysian peat due to different water and organic contents. The improvement of peat soil is challenging and expensive, requiring an extra amount of stabilizer for the initiation of the stabilization process. However, the optimum and threshold stabilizer’s dosage for peat is also a challenging task to predict due to several factors affecting the stabilization process. Lastly, the study concludes with recommendations on the implication of the fall cone and thread rolling tests for the determination of Atterberg limits of fibrous peat, effective consolidometer for peat, and utilization of traditional additives for peat soil stabilization.

Relationship between Phase Composition and Mechanical Properties of Peat Soils Stabilized Using Oil Shale Ash and Pozzolanic Additive

Construction of road embankments in peatlands commonly involves replacement of the peat with a fill-up soil of an adequate load-bearing capacity. This usually requires a lowering of the water level, turning a peatland from a carbon sink to a source of greenhouse gases. Thus, alternatives are sought that are less costly in both economic and ecological terms. Mass-stabilization technology can provide a cheap substitute for Portland cement. Calcareous ashes (waste materials), supplemented with pozzolanic and alkali additives to facilitate and accelerate the setting and hardening processes, are attractive alternatives to soil excavation or replacement techniques. Silica fume and waterglass were used as pozzolanic agents and KOH as a soil-alkalizing agent. X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and stress–strain tests were performed for the hardened samples. Crystallization of alkali feldspars was observed in all test samples. Comparable hardening of peat soil was achieved for both ashes. It was shown that the ashes of Estonian kukersite (oil shale) from both pulverized firing and a circulating fluidized bed incineration process (produced in energy sector as quantitatively major solid waste in Estonia) can be used as binding agents for peat stabilization, even without the addition of Portland cement. Hardened peat soil samples behaved as a ductile material, and the cellulose fibers naturally present in peat gave the peat–ash composite plasticity, acting mechanically in the same way as the steel or glass fiber in ordinary reinforced concrete. The effect of peat fiber reinforcement was higher in cases of higher load and displacement of the composite, making the material usable in ecological constructions.

Sri Aman peat: Settlement observation and geotechnical properties investigation

This paper presents the findings from the field observation and site exploration for construction on peat in Sri Aman, Sarawak, Malaysia. A visit to Balai Bomba and Pejabat Metrologi in Sri Aman has been done in August 2019. From the observation and measurement conducted on the two locations of the constructed area on peat shows the settlement, δ recorded ranges from 100 mm to 150 mm. A field sampling for the determination of geotechnical properties of peat has been done in Balai Bomba Sri Aman. The depth of the peat in the area is about 2.88 m and the results show that the peat has high natural moisture content ranges from 900 % to 1400 %. The organic content (OC) for the site is in the range of 70 %-90 % for a depth of 0.5 m to 2.88 m, and categorized as H3, fibrous peat except for the first 0.5 m is 63 % which fall under H5, hemic peat group according to Von Post classification.