Peat Resources, its Quality and Condition of Deposition, Bijoynagar Upazila, B’Baria District, Bangladesh

Abstract

The report is prepared on the basis of peat exploration at 4000 hectre areas of Bijoynagar Upazila at B’Baria district which is in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. It has been studied extensively for the exploration of peat resources, particularly areal extent, reserve, quality and their condition of deposition. Nine peat bearing areas were identified in the studied area are covering six unions of Paharpur, Haraspur, and Chompoknagar and Uttar Singair beel. Peat was randomly found in surface to near surface at different places of investigated area. The total reserve of peat is about 32.61 million tons in wet condition or 13.044 million tons in dry condition. The chemical analysis of the peat shows average fixed carbon-20.5%, Ash content-32% and calorific value-7000 B.T.U. The quality of this peat is good. Geology, tectonics and environment of any area are controlling parameter for peat deposition. Fluvial and deltaic plain with area of active subsidence are suitable for peat deposition. The peat of the area may deposit from plant material that accumulated insitu (Autochthonous) and transported from short distance (Hypoautochthonous). The peat layers of the study area are found at surface or at shallow depth ranging from few centimeters to 7 meters below surface. Present of clay and silt of the upper part of the deposits indicating that the sediments are deposits usually in the winter season when the current of the water become weak. Moreover, the sediment may also be laid down in stagnant water after the recession of the flood.