BUREAU OF GEOLOGY


directly to the bog surface and allowed to filter through the peat or it may
be introduced to a ditched and drained peat deposit. Introduction of
waste water to a ditched and drained deposit would increase the volume
of peat exposed to the waste water, increasing residence time and allow-
ing more efficient nutrient uptake (Nichols, 1980). The third method
involves a built up filter bed of peat, sand and gravel. The effluent is
applied to the filter surface by sprinklers. Generally, the surface of the
filter would be seeded with a suitable sedge or grass to remove additional
nutrients (Minnesota DNR, 1981).
 Peat water treatment systems and experimentation have not been con-
ducted for enough time to determine the period of time over which it can
effectively remove nutrients before it becomes saturated. Environmental
effects, therefore, must be strictly monitored (Minnesota DNR, 1981).

 ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PEAT MINING

 by
 Kenneth M. Campbell

 Peat is currently mined in 12 Florida counties (Figure 22). In each of
these counties, the mining companies provide jobs, pay state and local
taxes, require the services of various support industries and provide a
valuable product to nurseries and individuals.

 Production, Value and Price of Peat

 The U.S. Bureau of Mines reports an average 1982 price for Florida
peat of $13.12 per short ton. 1983 prices quoted by mining companies
range from $8.50 to $18.00 per cubic yard of peat with the most com-
mon price being $10.00 to $10.50 per cubic yard. Blended topsoils
range from $11.00 to $20.00 per cubic yard. If one ton of peat is
assumed to occupy 2.3 cubic yards, the $10.50 per cubic yard price is
equivalent to $24.15 per short ton. Bagged peat prices are higher and are
in the range of $45.00 per ton.
 Florida ranked second in peat production nationally in 1982 (Boyle and
Hendry, 1984). The U.S. Bureau of Mines (B.O.M.) reported peat produc-
tion in 1982 as 120,000 short tons, with a value of $1,575,000 dollars
(Figure 23). The average price in 1982 was $13.12 per short ton. The
above figures represent a 25 percent drop in production and a 47 percent
drop in value from 1981.
 The B.O.M. production and value figures do not represent the com-
plete picture. The B.O.M. reported peat production from four counties in
'1982. Of the 10 companies on the B.O.M. peat producer list, only six are
still active. The authors have compiled a list of 21 peat producers,
located in 12 counties. The actual peat production in the state must be
significantly higher than reported by the B.O.M.