Sphagnum Fuscum Peat Research Articles

SELECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PEAT AND PLANT MATERIALS FOR BIOCIDAL PREPARATIONS

Sphagnum moss and peat formed on its basis is estimated by experts as ecologically pure raw material resource for development of new effective medicines as their structure contains a wide set of biologically active compounds of different classes: polysaccharides, uronic acids, flavonoids, phenocarboxylic acids, aldehydes, coumarins, triterpene
 compounds, organic acids, mineral salts, and in peat also humic substances. The objects of the study were sphagnum
 magellanicum and sphagnum fuscum peat and 4 samples of sphagnum moss: Sph. magellanicum, Sph. fuscum, Sph. angustifolium and Sph. apiculatum which in the future is supposed to be used as a raw material for preparation of biocidal
 agents. The geobotanical and physico-chemical characteristics of the selected samples was carried out. All of them are characterized by low ash content (1.32–3.59 %), high content of organic substances and their active acidity is within the range 3.8–4.4 units, which is typical for sphagnum-type raised peat and sphagnum moss. In the infrared spectra of all samples observed absorption bands due to valence and strain vibrations of hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, amide and other functional groups of carbohydrates, phenols, alcohols, organic acids, esters of aliphatic and aromatic nature, typical for
 plants-peat formers and upper peats of low degree of decomposition. It has been established that samples of sphagnum
 mosses and sphagnum peat are labile hemicellulose-containing raw materials; the amount of easily hydrolyzable polysaccharides in mosses reaches 55 %, in peats – 45 % of organic matter. The content of reducing substances in hydrolysates of hemicelluloses of mosses is 55–59 %, that of peat is 53–54 %. The mass fraction of cellulose in the organic matter of sphagnum mosses is 23–26 %, in peat 22–24, in humic substances 17.7–20.9 %. All samples contain small amounts
 (0.8–2.3 %) of extractive substances extracted by organic solvents and 7.1–13.0 % of lignin. Literature data, as well as the
 performed spectral and chemical characteristics of the selected samples showed that among the biologically active substances found in their composition, the most interesting are polysaccharide and phenolic complexes, since the pharmacological properties of sphagnum mosses and low-degradation peat can be attributed to the presence of these compounds.

How a Sphagnum fuscum‐dominated bog changed into a calcareous fen: the unique Holocene history of a Slovak spring‐fed mire

AbstractIn general, mires develop by autogenic succession from more groundwater‐fed to more rainwater‐fed. This study from a calcareous mire in the West Carpathians (Slovakia) describes a similar development in the Early Holocene, followed by a reverse development in the Middle and Late Holocene. Pollen, macrofossil and testate amoeba analyses show that the site started as a minerotrophic open fen woodland. After 10 700 cal a BP autogenic succession led to the accumulation of at least 1 m of Sphagnum fuscum peat. Around 9000 cal a BP, as climate could no longer sustain a stable water regime, the bog desiccated and a fire broke out. The fire removed part of the peat layer and as a consequence relative water levels rose, leading to the establishment of a wet minerotrophic swamp carr with Thelypteris palustris, Equisetum sp. and Alnus sp. with extremely slow peat accumulation. After 600 cal a BP, rapid peat accumulation with calcareous tufa formation resumed as a result of anthropogenic deforestation and hydrological changes in the catchment and resulting increased groundwater discharge. At present the mire still hosts a wealth of relict and endangered plant and animal species typical of calcareous fens and fen meadows. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in Sphagnum fuscum peat from subarctic Canada: Implications for palaeoclimate studies

Stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in single plant components in Sphagnum peat have a good potential to reveal environmental changes in peat archives. Two peat profiles, covering the past ∼ 6000 years, and a Sphagnum hummock from a discontinuous permafrost area in west central Canada were studied in order to evaluate the effect of decomposition rate on isotope records and to assess which plant components are most suitable for climate reconstructions. The stable isotope values from the most recently forming Sphagnum tissues were compared with observational climate data to study the impact of variations in temperature and precipitation on the peat isotopes. Our results show that there is high correlation between δ 13C values in α-cellulose isolated from Sphagnum fuscum stems and summer temperatures, whereas δ 18O in the plant tissues is controlled by several factors, such as summer precipitation, summer temperature and evaporation. According to our results, decomposition as derived from C/N values and colorimetry does not seem to affect the oxygen and carbon isotope values of α-cellulose from Sphagnum fuscum peat significantly. There is, however, a (quasi-) constant offset between the isotope values of branches and stems and between whole plant material and α-cellulose, which makes it crucial to select single moss-fractions when past climate and environmental changes are to be derived from the isotope record.

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.

Finding of probable Tunguska Cosmic Body material: anomalies in platinum group elements in peat from the explosion area

Further evidencies of a cometary nature of the 1908 Tunguska Cosmic Body (TCB) are presented. Earlier in the event layers of the Sphagnum fuscum peat from the explosion area, anomalies, relative to Earth-materials, of the elements H, C, and N—all abundant in comets—have been found [E.W. Kolesnikov, T. Boettger and N.V. Kolesnikova, Planet. Space Sci. 47 905 (1999); E.M. Kolesnikov, G. Longo, T. Boettger, N.V. Kolesnikova, P. Gioacchini, L. Forlani, R. Giampieri and R. Serra, Icarus 161 235 (2003).]. At the present work we revealed a sharp increase of concentrations of platinum group elements (PGE), REE and other elements in the event layers as well. Their ratios point to a cometary nature of the anomalies observed.

Discovery of probable Tunguska cosmic body material: anomalies of platinum group elements and rare-earth elements in peat near the Explosion Site (1908)

Ten Sphagnum fuscum peat samples collected from different depths of a core including the layer affected by the 1908 Tunguska explosion in the Tunguska area of Central Siberia, Russia, were analyzed by ICP-MS to determine the concentrations of Pd, Rh, Ru, Co, REE, Y, Sr, and Sc. The analytical results indicate that the Pd and Rh concentrations in the event- and lower layers were 14.0–19.9, and 1.23–1.56 ppb, respectively, about 3–9 times and 3 times higher than the background values in the normal layers. In addition, the patterns of CI-chondrite-normalized REE in the event layers were much flatter than in the normal layers, and differed from those in the nearby traps. Hence, it can be inferred from the characteristics of the elemental geochemistry that the explosion was probably associated with extraterrestrial material, and which, most probably, was a small comet core the dust fraction of which was chemically similar to carbonaceous chondrites (CI). In terms of the Pd and REE excess fluxes in the explosion area, it can be estimated that the celestial body that exploded over Tunguska in 1908 weighed more than 10 6 t, corresponding to a radius of >60 m . If the celestial body was a comet, then its total mass was more than 2×10 7 t , and it had >160 m radius, and released an energy of >10 7 t TNT.

Fossil Carbon/Nitrogen Ratios as a Measure of Peat Decomposition

Net accumulation rates of carbon in a 9000 calendar year record of Sphagnum fuscum peat in western boreal Canada range from 13.6 to 34.9 g · m‐2·yr‐1. The depth vs. age curve is slightly convex due to generally declining net productivity at the site. Fossil carbon/nitrogen ratios of bulk Sphagnum fuscum peat and its components are used to calculate the rate and total amount of decay in the deeper anoxic peat deposits. The proportional rate of decay in the catotelm of the peatland declines linearly over time. Carbon loss from the catotelm is estimated at 50% after 1700 calendar years and 65% after 7500 calendar years. Carbon has been added to the catotelm at an average rate of 28.0 g·m‐2·yr‐1 over the last 1174 years, whereas, at present, the cumulative loss of carbon over the entire catotelm is 19.4 g·m‐2·yr‐1. The peatland continues to represent a sink for carbon.

Organic and Inorganic Amendments to Reduce Ammonia Losses from Liquid Hog Manure

AbstractLiquid hog manure (Sus scrofa domesticus) is in common use as a fertilizer or a soil conditioner in agricultural production. Liquid hog manure (LHM) suffers from N loss through volatilization of ammonia (NH3), however. Reduction of NH3 loss from 4% total solids LHM was studied using added Sphagnum peat moss (Sphagnum fuscum peat), sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM), elemental S, and calcium carbonate. Cumulative losses of NH3‐N ranged between 0 and 711 mg N kg−1 LHM applied. Elemental Sulfur and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) treatments induced greater NH3 losses compared with the nonamended LHM, whereas acidic treatments including Sphagnum peat moss (SM) reduced NH3 losses by at least 74.6%. Volatilization of NH3 from LHM increased as the pH of amended LHM treatment increased. The relationships between cumulative (15 d) NH3 volatilized and initial pH of amended LHM varied, depending on the amendment. The nutrient values of amended LHM stored for 25 d under continuous aeration were assessed on two soils mapped as Chicot (fine loamy, mixed, nonacid, mesic Typic Hapludoll) and Uplands (coarse loamy, mixed, nonacid, Typic Haplorthod) from eastern Canada. Treatment of LHM with SM at greater than 1% (w/w) reduced NH3 volatilization. Added CaCO3 increased NH3 loss. In general, amendments did not reduce effectiveness of LHM‐N for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) growth. An exception was the 1% SM + 2% CaCO3 amendment that reduced plant growth.

Microbial control of plant diseases with Streptomyces spp.1

Light‐coloured Sphagnum fuscum peat is the substrate most widely used in glasshouses in Finland. A number of Streptomyces strains which are strongly antagonistic against a number of soil and seed‐borne fungal pathogens, both in vitro and in vivo, have been isolated from light‐coloured peat. Seed dusting with Streptomyces prevented or reduced damping‐off and foot‐rot disease caused by Alternaria brassicicola and Rhizoctonia solani on crucifers. Seed treatment slightly increased yields of cereals in fields experiments. Spraying the substrate with a suspension of Streptomyces reduced root diseases on cucumbers caused by Pythium, and in many cases successfully prevented fusarium wilt of carnations. A dry powder preparation has been made from the Streptomyces isolates, and applied at a dose of 5‐10 g kg‐1 in seed dusting, and 0.1‐10 g 100 m‐2 when spraying the substrate. The microbe was most effective in peat soil, although good results have also been obtained in fine sand and clay soils.

Seed-borne fungi on cruciferous cultivated plants in Finland and their importance in seedling raising

The seed-borne fungi of cabbage, swede, turnip, rape, turnip rape, radish and black radish and their importance in seedling raising have been examined in this study. The seed lots used in the study were on sale at seed merchants in Finland during the period 1968 —1976. Alternaria brassicicola (Schw.) Wiltshire was the most common pathogen, being more common on cabbage than on any of the other plant species. 91 % of the white cabbage and red cabbage seed lots were infected. The mean A. brassicicola contents of the infected seed lots were 29.5 % and 30.6 %. Plenodomus lingam (Tode ex Fr.) Höhnel occurred in 10 % of the white cabbage and 27 % of the red cabbage seed lots, the fungus content varying from 0.5 % to 14 %. The fungus was also found on cauliflower, swede and radish. Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc. was found in 4 % of the cabbage and in 31 % of the rape seed lots at fungus contents of 0.5—6.5 %. Alternaria raphani Groves & Skolko was found in 30 % of the radish and black radish seed lots at fungus contents of 0.5—8 %. The following fungi were also found on the seeds of Cruciferous plants: Pleospora herbarum (Pers.) Rabenh., Whetzelinia sclerotiorum (Lib) Korf & Dumont, Botrytis cinerea Pers., Ulocladium concortiale (Thum.) Simmons, Fusarium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani Kühn as well as 18 fungus genera and species either saprophytic or pathogenic to other plants. When the Alternaria brassicicola content of the seeds was 20 % it caused 10 % damping-off damage on the sand substrate. A similar level of damage occurred on the peat substrate when the fungus content reached 70 %. In addition to causing damping off and damaging the seedlings, the fungus also slowed-down seedling growth without apparently damaging them. When the seedlings were grown at a lower temperature the amount of damage caused by A. brassicicola was much less than that which occurred when a higher temperature was used. Plenodomus lingam caused as much damping-off as there were seeds infected with the fungi. Other seed-borne fungi had no importance in seedling raising. Sphagnum fuscum peat, which is used in Finland as a growth substrate, reduced the amount of damping-off caused by seed-borne fungi in comparison to disinfected substrates and prevented the spread of A. brassicicola and P. lingam from diseased to healthy seeds. Dressing the seeds with thiram proved to be very effective against A. brassicicola.

Apatite as a phosphorus fertilizer

In pot trials, where very acid Sphagnum fuscum peat has been used as a growth substance, a finely ground but chemically untreated apatite concentrate has given a noticeable phosphorus effect for pine as well as for oats. Even a scarce liming has significantly diminished the phosphorus effect and a satisfactory liming has altogether stopped it. Apatite may be a suitable phosphorus fertilizer in forest manuring on bog peat soils. The carbonate included as an impurity in apatite may also be beneficial. By the use of not readily soluble phosphorus fertilizers one may diminish the possibilities of phosphorus entering water systems; this should be taken into consideration when the areas to be fertilized are very large.

Influence of lime and fertilizers upon the mineralization of peat nitrogen in incubation experiments

An attempt has been made to elucidate the influence of lime and fertilizers upon the mineralization of peat nitrogen under laboratory conditions. The main object was to study differences between the responce of various kinds of peats to these treatments and to the incubation under conditions favourable for the activity of microorganisms. The material consisted of eight peat samples from North Finland. Four of them were fen peats with a virgin productivity of 6—8. The other four originated from untillable bogs with a virgin productivity of 1—3. All the samples were from virgin peat lands and only slightly decomposed. In spite of the different origins of these peat groups no marked differences in their chemical composition and characteristics could be found. This was supposed to be due to their low degree of decomposition. In the first large incubation experiment carried out at 15°—22 °C the accumulation of nitrate-nitrogen during the B—lo8—10 months of incubation was relatively high in all the limed samples, but marked nitrification occurred also in most of the un-limed samples, the Sphagnum fuscum peat being the most prominent exception. On the average, the effect of lime upon the total accumulation of mineral nitrogen was positive only in three of the fen peats and in the Sphagnum fuscum sample. In the second experiment lime seemed to stimulate the ammonification in the Sphagnum peats during the first month of incubation, but later on the accumulation of mineral nitrogen was found to be almost equally intensive in the limed and un-limed samples. No significant effect of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers could be stated in the incubation experiments. The same was true in respect to the effect of copper sulphate, zinc chloride or ammonium molybdate. The influence of ash upon the changes in the mineral nitrogen content of one fen peat was supposed to be due to its neutralizing agencies. The accumulation of mineral nitrogen, particularly of ammonium nitrogen, was highest in the untreated samples. Although some superiority of the fen peats to the Sphagnum peats in respect to the speed of the accumulation of mineral nitrogen could be stated, the differences between these groups after the prolonged incubation were negligible. This can be explained by the different intensity of immobilization and denitrification of nitrogen in these peats under the conditions of the experiments. It also may be taken to mean that no distinct differences existed between the decomposability of the nitrogen compounds of these slightly humified fen peats and Sphagnum peats.