Chemical characteristics of peat water after different techniques of land clearing

J. Asing, A.B. Ismail and M. Zulkefli

Abstract

Changes in chemical characteristics of peat water in augured holes and open drains in relation to the technique and time of land clearing at MARDI Peat Research Station, Sessang, Sarawak, were monitored. The study involved four types of land clearing techniques, namely ‘slash-burn’ (LCT1), ‘slash-stack’ (LCT2), ‘slash-chip-stack’ (LCT3) and ‘selective slashing’ (LCT4), in the duration from before clearing to 12 months after clearing. A total of 16 water quality parameters were analysed, namely pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Na, Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Zn, Al, Cu, Co, Mn, Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb. Results indicated that peat water in the station was generally characterized=by very acidic (pH around 3.50) and low concentration of micro and macro elements. Upon forest clearing, there were significant increased in the composition of macro elements in water. Burning practices (LCT1) had resulted in immediate and marked increase in Ca, Na, Mg and K, 2 months after the activity. Their increments in LCT2 and LCT3 were delayed for 10 months and 8 months after the clearing respectively. No significant changes were observed under the least disturbed plot (LCT4). Concentration of many micro elements and heavy metals in the water remained very low throughout the study

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