sustainable use of estonian peat resources and environmental challenges mall orru the geological...
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Sustainable use of Estonian peat resources and environmental
challenges
Mall Orru
The Geological Survey of Estonia
Background
Peatlands cover 22.3% of Estonian territory (1 009 100 ha)
~60% of peatlands are formed as paludification of mineral soils and ~40% as lake paludification
Total number of the peatlands is 9836; 85% of them are small (1-10 ha)
Average thickness of peat layer is 3-4 m
Background
Peatlands cover 22,3% of Estonian territory (1 009 100 ha)
60% of peatlands are formed as paludification of mineral soils and 40% as lake paludification
Total number of the peatlands is 9836, 85% of them are small (1-10 ha)
Average thickness of peat layer is 3-4 m
Investigation of Estonian peatlands
Work started in 1967 in the Geological Survey of Estonia (EGK)
All mires with area >1 ha were investigated and mapped (1:10 000, 1:25 000)
Thickness of peat layer, peat type, ash content, pH, moisture, hydrological, and geological condition were studied
~70 000 samples were analysed in laboratory
Environmental register, list of deposits
Started in 1996 in EGK, recently hold by Estonian Land Board
List of deposits consists 279 peat deposits
Area of peat deposits is ~260 000 ha, which contains 26% of total peatlands area and 8% of Estonian territory
List of deposits is complemented constantly
Peat resources
Total resources 2.37 billion tons
In list of peat deposits 1.60 billion tons
(16% light humified, 84% well humified)
Active probable reserves 0.82 billion tonnes
Passive reserves 0.56 billion tonnes
Active proved reserves 0.22 billion tonnes
Peat extraction
It is extracted from 77 deposits
Production fields area is 20 550 ha
Peat is mainly used for horticulture and fuel
Peat production ranges from 0.9-1.5 million tons
Peat extraction
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
Light humified peat Well humified peat
According to the Sustainable Development Act – the extraction can not exceed 2.6 million tons per year
Mire protection
Mire protection area 161 575 ha
With Natura 2000 protected areas 211 421 ha
72% of them are raised bogs
22% of Estonian mires are under protection
Alternative use of peat
Environmental technological solutions
– Like sorbents, wastewater treatment etc.
Peat balneology
– Research has been carried out by EGK
– Clinical experiments in progress
Abandoned peat production areas
154 abandoned peat production areas in Estonia with area 8500 ha
Peat reserves not totally exhausted yet there
High CO2 emission due peat humification
Peat mineralises in such areas
Revision of abandoned peat production areas
Carried out by EGK since 2005
At the end of 2007 the revision will be completed in 12 counties
Study questions:– remained peat resources;– state of water regime;– drainage network;– revegetation etc.
Põlliku peatland
Põlliku peatland 2
Imsi peatland
Hõreda peatland
Rabivere peatland
Viru peatland
Hara peatland
Hara peatland 2
As the results of the study …
To provide information for decisionmakers weather re-establish mire, turn into wetland, reforest, plant with berries or make a body of water
The above-described problem is topical in the other countries as well
In 2008, XIII International peat Congress
“After Wise Use – the Future of Peatlands”
will be organised by the International Peat
Society in Tullamore, Ireland
Plantation of berries
Plantation of cranberries and blueberries in abandoned peatlands
Studies carried out by Estonian University of Life Sciences
Conclusions
Continue and develop sustainable use of peat resources and peatlands
– Find alternative usage for peat
Better co-operation between scientists, decisionmakers, peatproducers etc.
Make the linking of borders of peat deposits, protection areas, and peat production available
Improve scientific studies of abandoned peat areas– multidisciplinary analyses – geologist, ecologist, botanist,
hydrologist
