Transcript Sustainable use of Estonian peat resources and

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
Active
proved
Active probable
reserves
In list of peat
deposits
reserves
0.82
0.22 billion
1.60 billion
tons
billion
tonnes
tonnes
(16% light humified,
84% well humified)
Passive reserves
0.56 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
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
19
53
19
62
19
64
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68
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70
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72
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00
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02
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06
0
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
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

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
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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 reestablish 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
Thank you for your attention!
Contact: [email protected]