Peat
Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetable matter. Peat forms in wetlands called peatlands, examples of which are bogs, moors, muskegs, mires, and fens. Peat deposits are the first stage in formation of coal deposits. Dry peat beds can be a fire hazard. Peat deposits on the landscape pose a difficulty to builders of roads.
Characteristics and uses
Peat is soft and easily compressed.Under pressure, water in the peat is forced out. Upon drying, peat can be used as a fuel, and is traditionally used for cooking and domestic heating in many countries including Ireland and Scotland, where stacks of drying peat dug from the bogs can still be seen in some rural areas. Peat is also dug into soil to increase the latter's capacity to retain moisture and add nutrients. Peat fires are used to dry malted barley for use in Scotch whisky distillation. This gives Scotch its distinctive smoky flavor, often referred to as "peatiness" by Scotch afficianados.
In Ireland, peat usage is still widespread. The State company, BÃÂórd na MÃÂóna, is responsible for managing peat production. Turf (dried out peat sods) is not so commonly used in modern Ireland. BÃÂórd na MÃÂóna sell processed peat fuel, peat briquettes which are used for domestic heating. These are oblong bars of densely compressed, dried and shredded peat. Peat moss is a manufactured product for use in garden cultivation.Peat 'production' in Ireland