SPECIAL PUBLICATION NO. 27


 S o. FIXED CARBON -12 A











 COAL TYPES
 WOOD PEAT LIGNiTE SUB-BITUMINOUS BIlUMINOUS ANTHRACITE

 Figure 3. A comparison of moisture content and heating value
 for peat, wood and various coal types. (Modified from
 U.S. Department of Energy, 1979).



serve to inhibit decomposition by organisms. Ideally, areas should be
continually waterlogged, temperatures generally low and pH values of
associated waters should be low (Moore and Bellamy, 1974). It should
be noted that Moore and Bellamy (1974) primarily treat peats associated
with northern cold climates.
 Certain geologic characteristics are associated with waterlogged sur-
face conditions. The tendency toward waterlogging is enhanced if topo-
graphic relief is generally low and topographic barriers exist which
restrict flow and allow water to pond. Additionally, waterlogging is
encouraged if highly permeable bedrock is covered with material of low
permeability (Olson, et al., 1979).
 The chemical nature of the plant litter may also serve to reduce its
susceptibility to decomposition. Moore and Bellamy (1974) note the
association of cypress and hardwood trees in peats of the hammocks or
tree islands of the Everglades. These hammocks occur on peat deposits
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