Peat
Biological Process
Required Geological Setting
Neogene and Quaternary sediments
Occurrence
An earthy variety of coal formed by deposition of remains of herbaceous plants and mosses in marshlands. Peats are formed in cases where the deposition speed is higher than the decomposition speed of plant remains by microbes. For example, peats are produced in marshlands of little denudation of plant remains in a cool climate of low microbes activity such as high latitude and/or high altitude regions. Peats are observed as soft dark brown acid soil at marshlands in Hokkaido and/or in mountain districts. Peats have a low carbon content and a high water content, so its quality as fuel is not good. The deposition speed of peats is very slow and estimated as 1 mm/yr.