Physical and chemical characteristics and development of the Changuinola peat deposit of northwestern Panama
A peat deposit occupying over 80 square kilometers, and averaging 8 meters in thickness, was discovered on the Caribbean coast of northwestern Panama near the town of Changuinola. This deposit occurs inland (behind) the present beach-barrier shoreline. It is thickest in the center and thins toward all edges (as if domed). The surface vegetation in the central regions consists primarily of ombrotrophic plants (especially sedges, grasses, Sphagnum, Sagittaria, and various scattered shrubs). Toward the edges, the deposit has a surface cover of more minerotrophic plants (such as swamp-forest trees, ferns, and palms). Petrographic/botanical analysis of the deposit with depth reveals the presence of five peat types (swamp-forest, sedge-grass-fern, Sagittaria et al., Nymphaea et al., and Rhizophora). Typically peats of the thick, central portions of the deposit are very low in ash and sulfur (less than 2% ash and 0.3% sulfur). Ash contents tend to increase abruptly at the base and more gradually toward the edges of the deposit and sulfur contents increasing gradually toward the ocean and bay. Vertical and lateral variations in botanical, chemical, and physical properties of this deposit can be related to factors that have controlled: (1) the surrounding rocks and water chemistry; (2) the source vegetation; and (3) the environments in which these source ingredients were deposited. 3 refs., 10 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Instituto de Recursos Hidraulicos y Electrificacion, Panama City (Panama)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 6109598
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-87-2885; CONF-8708153-1; ON: DE87014747
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Wetlands/Peatlands '87, Edmonton, Canada, 23 Aug 1987; Other Information: Paper copy only, copy does not permit microfiche production
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Changuinola peat deposit of northwest Panama. Deposito de turba de Changuinola en el noroeste de Panama; Volumen 2: Evaluacion del recurso
Properties of peatlands in relation to environmental factors in Minnesota
Related Subjects
COAL DEPOSITS
EXPLORATION
PANAMA
PEAT
ASH CONTENT
CALORIFIC VALUE
SULFUR CONTENT
BOTANY
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
PETROGRAPHY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANTS
BIOLOGY
CENTRAL AMERICA
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
LATIN AMERICA
MINERAL RESOURCES
ORGANIC MATTER
RESOURCES
011000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration