Peat is a moss which can be used to soften water and to decrease the pH. It can also tint the colour of your water.

Peat is a soggy, spongelike material that forms from plants and trees after they die. Peat from plants and trees that died about 300 million years ago became buried and compressed under the earth's surface over a long period of time. Over millions of years and through the forces of heat and pressure, the compressed peat became coal.

is a traditional fuel in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland made from compressed vegetable matter and cut from peat bogs and dried. Peat is burned in the kiln to impart a smokey flavour on the malt.

plant debris that only partially decomposes because it's in a water-saturated environment (like a fen or marsh) and so receives little oxygen.

organic deposits consisting of the partially decomposed remains of plants, which accumulate over time more rapidly than decomposition processes can break them down. Peat may be derived from the remains of mosses, sedges, or woody plants.

Undecayed plant organic material that builds up in certain wetlands.

partially decayed plant material, precursor of coal (Webster, 1984).

the dark-brown or black plant remains produced by the partial decomposition of vegetation in wet places, such as swamps or marshes. Peat deposits contains more than 50% carbon. If the deposits are buried, the heat and pressure may turn the peat into coal.

Inflammable decayed vegetable matter

A marsh or swamp deposit of water-soaked plant remains containing more than 50 percent carbon.

The residues of natural vegetation which have been affected by processes of anaerobic decomposition usually in waterlogged conditions. ( BCFT ).

partially carbonized vegetable material, usually found in bogs

Compacted and partially decayed vegetation accumulating beneath a swamp.

Partially decomposed sphagnum moss or sedge used in making composts. Valuable for its pronounced air- and water-holding capacity and its freedom from weeds and disease organisms.

partly decomposed moss plant which grows in moist areas in the north.

brown decomposed plant matter found in some swampy areas. It has a high water holding capacity and was once widely used in potting mixes and cutting mixes. The extraction of peat is having a damaging effect on the ecosystems from which it is taken and its use is not recommended for this reason. It is now frequently replaced by substitutes such as composted woodchip fines, coconut fibres or rice hulls.

Moisture retentive, humus rich, acid, partially decayed organic matter, with a pH of up to 6.5. Used mainly for potting composts and as a mulch. Derived from sedges (sedge peat) or sphagnum moss (sphagnum peat) and occurring in boggy, waterlogged conditions. NOTE: Now being phased out in favour of peat substitutes such as coconut fibre (coir), garden compost, mushroom compost, granulated bark and leaf mould.

Partially decomposed vegetable matter in which organic material sometimes survives due to absence of oxygen and bacteria.

A dark-brown or black organic material produced by the partial decomposition and disintegration of mosses, sedges, and other plants which grow in marshes and wetlands.

Caused by the growth of plant material in waterlogged conditions. Because there is no oxygen available below the upper surface there is no rotting taking place so the vegetation is preserved and builds up over time. In later years when the bog is drained, the peat can be dug out and used as fuel.

Organic compound resulting from the partial decomposing of plants. Smoke produced during its combustion at the kilning stage allows the production of peated malt, which is used to produce whiskies of a particularly powerful character, which are held in a high reputation and whose origin is generally the island of Islay.

This form of dried moss can be used as a filter material to soften water and make it more acidic.

Organic matter composed of decomposing plant matter.

The accumulated remains of plants, found in swampy or cool, humid areas. It is the initial material from which coal may be formed; may be dried and used for fuel.

An accumulation of unconsolidated plant debris that if buried and preserved could become coal. Special conditions are required to accumulate and preserve plant materials. These conditions are most often found in a marsh or swamp where water cover prevents oxidation and attack by most organisms.

Usually partially decomposed sphagnum moss and used for potting compost, etc.

Related Topics: [ wetlands] Peats are extremely light organic soils which develop under conditions in which there is a net accumulation of organic matter over time. The value of peat as a fuel source has long been recognized. Many families in rural Ireland harvest peat as a source of fuel during the winter. The vast peatlands of the old Soviet Union are mined to supply fuel to generating stations. Drained peatlands are often extremely fertile for crop production. In addition to obvious economic value, peatlands serve as "vaults of history". The conditions which inhibit decomposition in plants also act to preserve the artifacts and human remains from the ancient past and by providing windows into the natural world as it existed in previous geological epochs. Dry weight is primarily reliant on the degree of decomposition. Peats which develop under extremely acidic, anoxic conditions are usually the lightest. When this type of soil is broken apart plant parts and at times whole plants are easily distinguished. The heaviest peats are found in areas where decay occurs more rapidly. These soils are fine and powdery when dried and plant parts are virtually never distinguishable.

A mixture of decomposed or decomposing plant material that has accumulated in water-saturated environments, in the absence of oxygen.

Undecomposed or only slightly decomposed organic matter accumulated under conditions of excess moisture. Semi-carbonized remains of plants (such as moss, sedge, trees), some animal residues, and often some mineral soil. Plant residues show little, if any, morphological change.

A highly organic material, its USCS symbol is Pt.

n. (ME. pete, fr. ML. peta, perh. of Celt. origin; akin to W. peth, thing - more at piece) a piece of turf cut for use as a fuel; a mass of partially carbonized plant tissue formed by partial decomposition in water of various plants and esp. of mosses of the genus Sphagnum, widely found in many parts of the world, varying in consistency from a turf to a slime used as a fertilizer, as stable litter, as a fuel, and for making charcoal.

Material made by rotting plants and animals in the first stage of coal formation

Partially decomposed plant matter, mainly sphagnum moss. Used for storing Annual Killifish eggs in a moist state. You can also incubate non-Annuals on top of it. Also used as a Substrate layer for planted aquaria and as a Filter Medium. Softens water and reduces pH.

a type of soil that is made up of fibres from sphagnum moss and other decomposing plants. Peat is a very dark - black colour.

A soft brown mass of compressed, partially decomposed vegetation that forms in a water-saturated environment and has a carbon content of 50%. Dried peat can be burned as fuel.

partially decomposed, compacted accumulation of plant remains occurring in a bog environment

Soil made up entirely of organic remains.

An accumulation of partly carbonized plant material containing approximately 60% carbon and 30% oxygen. It is considered an early stage, or rank, in the development of coal.

A spongy organic substance made of decayed plant fibers.

partially carbonized vegetable matter saturated with water; can be used as a fuel when dried

Partially degraded vegetable matter found in marshy areas. Peat is commonly used as asoil amendment.

Naturally occurring material suitable for soil conditioning and formed chiefly from the decomposition of organic matter in a water-saturated environment.

Partially carbonized vegetable matter, usually mosses, found in bogs and used as fertilizer and fuel.

Dark-brown to black, fibrous materal produced by plants which grow in marshes or bogs. When exposed on the beach face, it indicates long-term erosion and ladward barrier migration.

An unconsolidated deposit of semicarbonized plant remains, generally found in a water shed environment such as a bog or a fen and is of high moisture content (at least 75%). Peat is an early stage of the development of coal and is comprised, usually, of approximately 60% carbon and 30% moisture-free oxygen. When dried out, peat burns very easily.

A fibrous mass of organic matter of spongy consistency.

partially decomposed vegetation (usually moss) with slow decay due to extreme moisture and cold.

a soilless medium that is partially decomposed aquatic, marsh, bog or swamp vegetation

There are two types of peat, low moor (Flachmoor) and high moor (Hochmoor) peat. Low moor peat is the most common starting material in coal genesis. It therefore constitutes a caustobiolith of low diagenetic degree. Peat is formed in marshes and swamps from the dead, and partly decomposed remains of the marsh vegetation.  Stagnant ground water is necessary for peat formation to protect the residual plant material from decay. Peat has a yellowish brown to brownish black color, is generally of the fibrous consistency, and can be either plastic or friable; in its natural state it can be cut; further, it has a very high moisture content (above 75 percent, generally above 90 percent). It can be distinguished from brown coal by the fact that the greater part of its moisture content can be squeezed out by pressure (for example, in the hand). Peat also contains more plant material in a reasonably good state of preservation than brown coal.

altered vegetable matter found in bogs

This is a form of partially fossilised moss usually used to soften and lower the pH of the aquarium water. It is likely to colour the water slightly.

the accumulated remains of decayed plant material which forms the basis for bogs and fens

see coal accumulations of terrestrial organic material with little associated mineral sediment

(=fibric soil material) - Unconsolidated material, largely undecomposed organic matter, that has accumulated under excess moisture.

Most sphagnum peat moss is commercially harvested from huge peat bogs in the northern hemisphere. Sphagnum peat has a spongy, fibrous texture, a high water-holding capacity, and a low pH and nutrient content. Peat moss has been a choice material for incorporating into landscape beds for years. Muck peat is very different from sphagnum peat. It looks more like compost, - black in color and non-fibrous, and has a pH near 7.0.

soil material with a high organic matter content. According to the Soil Survey Staff (1975) definition, in order for a soil to be classed as organic it must have 12% organic carbon by weight if it is sandy and 18% if it is clay-rich.

Organic material (leaves, bark, nuts) that has decayed partially. It is dark brown with identifiable plant parts, and can be found in peatlands and bogs.

An unconsolidated deposit of semicarbonized plant remains in a water-saturated environment such as a bog, of persistently high moisture content (at least 75%). It is considered an early stage or rank in the development of coal; carbon content is about 60% and oxygen content is about 30% (moisture-free)

a low BTU fuel and one of the earliest stages in the formation of coal that contains large amounts of water and visible remains of plant material.

a layer of plant material that accumulates beneath a waterlogged swamp or bog

a deposit of organic materials in a wet area where the material accumulates more quickly than it decomposes. The material is unconsolidated soil material consisting largely of un-decomposed or only slightly decomposed organic matter accumulated under conditions of excessive moisture and must contain indenfiable original fibers to correctly be called peat. Muck is the same material decomposed past recognition.

Fibrous debris produced by the partial disintegration of vegetation in wet places. Classified as a fossil fuel as it is not part of the carbon cycle.

An accumulation of partially decayed plant matter. In North Dakota, these accumulations are as thick as 16 feet.

a soil consisting of partially decomposed plant remains in which the contributing plant species can still be identified; an organic soil as opposed to mineral soils.

partially decomposed organic matter In a bog, peat is mainly composed of decaying sphagnum mosses and can be several meters deep.

a type of substrate that is dominated by partially decomposed organic matter accumulating in wet places.

Partially decomposed plants and other organic material that build up in poorly drained wetland habitats.

Term given to the material formed by decaying matter found in bog land. May be used as a fuel also known as Turf in Ireland. Traditionally used in Scotland as the fuel for during the malted barley

A precursor to coal

Partially decomposed organic matter (mostly plant material) which has accumulated in water-saturated environments, deficient in oxygen; resulting from anaerobic respiration.

a compact layer of rotting vegetable matter found in uplands and bogs. It can be used as a fuel or to improve the soil

unconsolidated soil material consisting largely of partially decomposed organic matter accumulated under conditions of excess moisture or other conditions that decrease decomposition rates

An accumulation of partially decayed vegetable matter formed in wetlands or peatlands (also called bogs or tropical swamp forests). Dried peat can be used as fuel.

Soil material consisting of partially decomposed organic matter, formed by the slow decay of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants in swamps and bogs; used as fuel in energy production.

Unconsolidated soil material consisting largely of decomposed or partially decomposed organic material accumulated under conditions of excessive moisture. Sphagnum moss is often a major component of peat.

Partially decomposed mosses and sedges harvested from bogs and used as a component of soilless mixes.

An accumulation of plant material, sometimes very deep.  When peat is more than about 8" thick a wetland is almost always present.

fibric peat—undecomposed or weakly decomposed organic material; (ii) hemic peat—moderately to well-decomposed organic material; (iii) sapric peat—strongly to completely decomposed organic material.

Partially carbonized vegetable tissue that forms as plants decompose in water and are deposited and compacted.

An unconsolidated deposit of semi-carbonized plant remains in a water saturated environment. It has a persistently high moisture content (at least 75%) and is considered an early stage in the development of coal. Its carbon content is about 60% and it forms via plant decomposition in stagnant water with small amounts of oxygen.

Partially decomposed organic matter accumulating under wet conditions.

combustible fossil of recent formation constituted from residual of marshy plants. Used, once, in Scotland as energetic resource for all the phases of the workmanship of the whisky. For some years now it is exclusively used for drying the germinated barley (malt) to which confers a strong smokey aftertaste that remains in all the phases of the workmanship and that characterizes the taste of the whiskey.

A soft, brown material containing the partially decomposed remains of plants.

Peat moss is used to soften water and to decrease (acidify) pH.

soil in marsh composed of partially decayed moisture-absorbing plant matter.

n. A deposit of partly decayed plant remains in a very wet environment; marsh or swamp deposit of plant remains containing more than 50 percent carbon.

A low density, slightly decomposed, fibrous organic soil composed largely of plant material, such as sphagnum moss, reeds, and sedge.

partially decomposed organic material (wetland plants) found in swamps and bogs

Partially decaying organic matter that accumulates in wetlands called bogs or fens. Favorable conditions for the growth of peat is achieved when the rate of decomposition is less than the rate of accumulation for dead vegetation. This happens in bogs, because the soggy conditions of these wetlands does not retain enough oxygen to support the micro-organisms which cause decomposition. Peat forms from various sources, such as marsh plants and mosses. Peat formed from Sphagnum Moss is called sphagnum peat moss. This is generally what is meant by peat moss.

a dark brown or black, organic residuum produced by the partial decomposition and disintegration of mosses, trees, and other plants that grow in marshes or other wet places. Peat deposits form when the rate of accumulation of plant matter exceeds the rate of destruction by weathering or organisms. One of the largest peat deposits in the world is in the Everglades.

used as a fuel in most Malt Kilns.

Peat has an important influence on whisky character when it is used to flavour malt in the kiln, but much of the process water used in Scottish distilleries flows over peat and this also plays a minor part in influencing the finished product.

Partly decomposed organic matter, originating from the decomposition ofvegetation in bogs, marshes or heathland. As an ingredient of potting soil, peatassists in moisture retention.

Compressed, decayed vegetable matter cut from peat bogs and used as fuel. The pungent smoke it gives off when burnt is used in the malting of barley intended for certain Scottish malt whiskies, especially on Islay.

Partially carbonised vegetable tissue similar to compacted compost. The dried, cut peat is burned beneath the vented malting floors on which the malted barley dries. Different types of plant life, in the different regions and districts, create different types of peat which impart, in turn, different flavours and character to the finished whisky.

Partially decomposed remains of plants that once flourished in a waterlogged environment.

Peat consists of partially decomposed plant debris. It is considered an early stage in the development of coal. Peat is distinguished from lignite by the presence of free cellulose and a high moisture content (exceeding 70 percent). The heat content of air-dried peat (about 50 percent moisture) is about 9 million Btu per ton. Most U.S. peat is used as a soil conditioner. The first U.S. electric power plant fueled by peat began operation in Maine in 1990.

Deposits of moist, acidic, semidecayed organic matter.

a kind of heavy turf made up of unconsolidated, partly decomposed vegetable matter, such as a sphagnum moss, found in peat bogs. [AHDOS

An accumulation of dead plant material often forming a layer many meters deep. It is only slightly decomposed due to being completely waterlogged.

See Organic Soil.

Unconsolidated soil material consisting largely of undecomposed, or only slightly decomposed, organic matter accumulated under conditions of excessive moisture. Used as Casing ingredient in mushroom culture.

a deposit consisting of decayed or partially decayed humified plant remains.

Generally, unconsolidated plant material primarily consisting of undecomposed, or only slightly decomposed, organic matter accumulated under water-soaked conditions. More specifically, a layer of organic material containing plant residues that may show little, if any, morphological change and that have accumulated as a result of submergence in water or through being in a very wet environment. One of the basic building blocks of the Canoe Country ecosystem.

Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation matter. Peat forms in wetlands or peatlands, variously called bogs, moors, muskegs, mires and tropical swamp forests.