BUREAU OF GEOLOGY


nutrients could be released to receiving waters. If nutrient supplies are
increased, eutrophication rates would increase and changes in the
aquatic ecosystem would occur (King, et al., 1980).
 Peat contains a number of organic acids. These compounds (fatty
acids, humic acids, amino acids, tannic acids and other organic acids) are
partially responsible for the low pH values associated with waters from
peatlands. The release of waters containing such compounds as a part of
the drainage and dewatering process could have a direct toxological
effect on aquatic organisms.
 Peat, since it is derived from an accumulation of plant material, may
also contain microlevels of heavy metal ions which were used by original
plants for life processes. Heavy metal ions are also derived from fallout of
pollutants directly onto the surface of the peat and from the filtering of
surface waters by peats. If peats are exploited as a fuel resource, they
must be drained and dewatered and, eventually, processed for energy
production. This processing may lead to the release of metals to the air
and water.
 It is suggested (King, et al., 1980) that all effluent streams be moni-
tored qualitatively and quantitatively to determine the characteristics of
organic chemicals being released. Mining of peat and its processing for
energy may possibly lead to an inadvertent release of toxic inorganic
compounds and phenols. It is important to note that release of these
materials may not necessarily occur. Peat mining and subsequent pro-
cessing for energy, however, have not been extensively practiced in the
United States and monitoring is suggested as means of offsetting this
lack of experience.
 The mining and dewatering of peat may result in the release of colloidal
and settleable solids into receiving streams. Peat itself comprises water-
soluble colloidal material and small particles of cellulose and fibrous
material. The nature of these materials and of the constituents which
may become adsorbed onto them is such that oxygen levels are expected
to be depressed. Additionally, the transport of nutrients which might lead
to eutrophication and heavy metals might be increased.
 Three states which have begun to cope with water quality aspects
which might accompany the mining of peat for energy include Minne-
sota, North Carolina and Florida. Appendix D of this document includes
lists of water quality parameters chosen for measurement by each state.
The lists are different, since they were prepared for somewhat different
purposes. The state of Minnesota, after an extensive literature review,
concluded that baseline data were needed. A study was devised in which
33 water quality parameters were monitored in 45 undisturbed peatlands
in northern Minnesota. The list of parameters being monitored in North
Carolina has been developed for the assessment of wastewater dis-
charge in conjunction with a proposed peat-to-methanol plant at
Creswell, North Carolina. The Florida Department of Environmental Reg-
ulation has required monitoring of 26 water quality parameters in a per-