Ma Xuehui, Cai Xingyuan, Wang Rongfen
According to the investigation in recent years,the proved peat reserves are 5 billion tons.But there are still some peatlands which have not been surveyed and found.It is estimated that peat reserves will be 6-8 billion tons.China’s peatlands are mainly distributed in mountains and plateaus,especially in the Da Hinggan Mountain,the Xiao Hinggan Mountain,and the Changbai Mountain in northeast,the southern part of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,the western part of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau,having abundant peat resources.Besides,in the Sanjiang Plain,along east and south coasts there are also some peatlands.The basic properties of peat in main regions of China are as follows.In northeast mountains,there are various types of peat,the contents of organic matter and humic acid are the highest(65-70%)and 35%-40%,respectively),pH value is 5-6,decomposition degree is low (below 25%).While in plains and coasts,peat type is single,the contents of organic matter and humic acid are relatively low(50% and 20%,respectively),but decomposition degree is high.In arid zones,the contents of organic matter and humic acid of peat are the lowest(30%-50% and 15%-20%,respectively),pH value is neutral or slightly alkaline.The differences of peat properties in a region are closely related to the change of regional environment since the Holocene.Because peat properties vary with regions,the exploitation and utilization of peat and peatlands vary with regions.