Effect of peat-bog reclamation on the physico-chemical characteristics of the ground water in peat

The authors determined the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and electrical conductivity, as well as the colour and pH in the ground waters of 26 peat-bogs in Pomerania (NW Poland). Three kinds of peat-bogs have been taken into account - forestless - sphagnum - cover bogs, bog coniferous forests and birch swamps. The condition of bogs was classified as good, moderate or poor as regards their natural qualities. In good natural-status peat-bogs the lowest amounts of DOC (about 30 mg C dm(-3)) and conductivity (< 100 muS cm(-1)) were found in the water of the peat of sphagnum-cover bogs, higher levels were recorded in forest peat-bog water (DOC - 50 mg C dm(-3), conductivity - 100 muS cm(-1)). Drainage of all the kinds of peat-bog under study leads to an increase in the concentration of DOC (>70 mg C dm(-3)) and conductivity (up to 90 AS cm(-1) in degraded sphagnum-cover bogs and 140-150 muS cm(-1) in degraded forest bogs); there also occurs an increase in acidity (from pH 4.0-3.7 to 3.7-3.4) and coloration (from 300 to 1000 mg Pt dm(-3) in forestless peat-bogs and from 600-800 to 1400-1600 mg Pt dm(-3) in forest bogs).