Chemical composition and distribution of the components of valley peat from Amur oblast

Abstract

The chemical composition of sedge peat from the Egor’evskoe deposit as lowland peat from Amur oblast was characterized. The elemental composition of organic matter and mineral macro- and microcomponents was studied, and the distribution of bitumens, their fractions, and humic acids in the depth of occurrence was revealed. It was found that peat genesis processes occur over the entire vertical profile, and the most converted organic matter is formed at a depth of to 90 cm. The individual composition of alkane fractions consists of C₁₃–C₃₆ normal structure homologues with a carbon preference index somewhat higher than unity; the presence of pristane, phytane, and farnezane was detected. In the fractions of fatty acids, predominantly even compounds from C₁₀ to C₃₀ were identified with special distribution features at the separate stages of peat formation. The analysis of the individual composition of n-alkanes and fatty acids made it possible to supplement botanical characteristics with information on the contribution of macrophytes, algal material, and microorganisms to the formation of the organic matter of peat.