Chemical composition and biological activity of peat deposits of oligotrophic bog

Abstract

The article presents the results of the main general technical, physical and chemical, microbiological and biochemical properties of the oligotrophic bog (Tomsk Region). It shows that peat oligotrophic bog belong to low-ash (2,3-10,9%), high - acid (2,2-3,6 units of pH), with the degree of decomposition - 20-50%. The authors find that the concentration of ammonium nitrogen increases with depth, and nitrate - decreases. The largest accumulation of mobile connections of phosphorus observed in the upper layer of peat deposits (11,20 mg/100 g dry peat). The maximum population of bacterial was concentrated in the upper layers of the deposit (20,6-22,4 billion cells/g). Spores, mycelium was detected in the fungal biomass only to a depth of 175 cm. The correlation analysis showed a direct relationship of fungal mycelium from the readily hydrolyzable substance (r = 0,84). Catalase activity varies from 0,99 to 7,32 ml O2 / g 2 min in peat bog deposit. The activity of catalase was influenced by the botanical composition The activity of polyphenol oxidase varies in the peat deposit from 0,13 to 6,72 mg of 1,4-benzoquinone / g 30 min, changing unevenly in depth. The limits of peroxidase activity in peat bog were 0,69-26,19 mg 1,4-benzoquinone/g 30 min.

Peat as a Raw Material for Plant Nutrients and Humic Substances

“…After the samples were decomposed with mineral acids, higher (p < 0.05) phosphorus concentrations (0.11-0.42%) were determined. These results of our research coincide with the trend found in works of other authors [27,28]. Analysing aqua regia extract data, it was observed that higher amounts (p < 0.05) of phosphorus are present in the samples with lower humification: for example, in H5, there is 0.42% P 2 O 5 (MTL, sample 6), while H8 includes only 0.14% P 2 O 5 (sample 4 EKD).…”

“…Differences obtained in the analytical results could be explained by the individual composition and structural features of the composition of peat, which depend on the botanical composition, the degree of humification, the formation and the environmental conditions. In summary, it can be stated that the results of samples from different peatlands, when compared to each other, differ, and this is also described in studies of other researchers [15,19,[27][28][29]. The unevenness of the chemical composition of peat could be explained by the fact that it contains organic and mineral parts and high moisture content.…”

“…Nitrogen concentration in peat is an important agrochemical qualitative indicator. According to various authors [27,28], nitrogen concentration in peat varies from 0.7% to 4%. The values of nitrogen concentrations determined in aqueous extracts are very low and of low statistical reliability.…”