PEATLAND

what is PEAT

is PARTIALLY decomposed plant matter

• organic material

• aka MUSKEG

where does peatlands found

• in cool, moist climates

• at higher elevation (mountains)

• not too far north and south

Peat foramtion

its formed by decaying aquatic plant

VEGETATION

BOG - what is it?

• develop on poorly drained sited w/ water table below ground surface

  • watersource is rainfall

VEGETATION

FEN - what is it

• develops on open water (lake or pond) where water level represents the groundwater level

  • fed by groundwater so its hing in nutrients

working with peat

• peat is weal, HIGHYLY COMPRESSIBLE MATERIAL

• its best to AVOID if possible

• if you are to build, there are few approaches

  • FLOATING - if u can keep the structure of the peat intact and spread your load out far enough, u may be able to build on top of peat.

  • DISPLACEMENT - dump subbase material into the peat, shearing and displacing it until youve basically created a causeway through peat

    • DRAINAGE AND REMOVAL - most cost effective approach REMOVE PEAT ENTIRELY!

beneath peat

• water

• mineral soil

• rock

• permafrost