BUREAU OF GEOLOGY


 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF PEAT RESEARCH IN FLORIDA

 Interest in Florida's peat deposits has fluctuated since the Florida Geo-
logical Survey published a "Preliminary Report on the Peat Deposits of
Florida" in its Third Annual Report (Harper, 1910). This early work was
basically a reconnaissance study of peat resources in the state. The
author acknowledged that as population density in the state increased, a
detailed report would be required. In light of current environmental
awareness, it is especially interesting that Harper (1910) recommended
studies by both an engineer and an ecologist.
 The historical perspective of peat use in Florida is not complete with-
out mention of the work of Robert Ransom, a civil engineer, who came to
Florida from Ipswich, England, in 1884. Ransom viewed Florida's peat
deposits as a readily exploitable resource and was especially interested in
energy production from peat. For thirty-five years Ransom experimented
with peat, eventually even opening a test plant near Canal Point (Palm
Beach County) which produced power gas, tars, oils, methyl alcohol
and various by-products. He was not able to gain acceptance for his
radical projects within his lifetime (Davis, 1946).
 In 1946, John H. Davis published The Peat Deposits of Florida, Their
Occurrence, Development and Uses. This study categorized peat-
forming environments in the state and treated individual deposits in
detail. It extended Harper's work and included chemical characterization
of various Florida peats. Chemical characteristics were related to the use
of peat for agricultural purposes and also to its use as a fuel source.
 A number of studies treating the peats of south Florida have been
prepared by W. Spackman and his co-workers. Spackman, et al. (1964)
presented a summary of various coal forming environments associated
with the Everglades. This work includes a large number of geologic cross
sections which document the relationship of peats to bedrock and sur-
rounding materials. The plant communities currently associated with
peats in the various coal forming environments are also carefully docu-
mented. Cohen and Spackman (1977, 1980) present detailed descrip-
tions of peats from southern Florida along with discussions of their ori-
gin, classifications and consideration of the alteration of plant material.
Spackman and others (Pennsylvania State University, 1976) present an
updated and augmented edition of the original guidebook. The format of
these works (Spackman, et al., 1964; Pennsylvania State University,
1976) makes them particularly useful to scientists in various disciplines
whose interests involve the various wetland environments of south Flor-
ida.
 In 1979, the U.S. Department of Energy began its "Peat Development
Program". The assessment of fuel grade peat deposits was part of an
effort to define energy resources in the United States exclusive of petro-
leum. The Florida Governor's Energy Office subcontracted with the Uni-
versity of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to survey
the peat resources of Florida. This study resulted in a literature survey of