The Influnece of Peat Layer on Hidrogen and Aluminium Concentration Originating from the Substratum Sulphidic Materials

Much of peatland in Indonesia has sulphidic materials as substratum. Soil acidity and metal elements in peatland may originate from the sulphidic materials which occur underneath of the peat layer. Peat soil buffering capacity and chelating ability of the peat materials regulate the soil acidity and metal solubility in the peatland. The study was aimed to examine the influence of peat thickness and land hydrological conditions on the concentrations of exchangeable aluminium (Al) and hidrogen (H) in the peatland. The study was carried out on peaty acid sulphate soil, deep peat, moderate peat and shallow peat. Exchangeable Al and H were observed in the wet season, transition from wet to dry season and dry season. The results showed that exchangeables of Al and H were mainly originated from sulphidic material which were occured underneath of the peat layer. Peat layer had an important role on the solubility of Al and H in the peatland. Peat thickness had influence on exchangeable-Al and H, 50 cm of the peat thickness (shallow peat) was the critical for peat function to reduce the Al and H solubility in the peatland. Hydrological condition factor did not influence on the solubility of Al and H.