The destructive impact of burned peatlands to physical and chemical properties of soil

Abstract

Peatland fires occur every year in the South Kalimantan Province Indonesia, particularly affecting soil characteristics. The purposes of this study are to analyse the physical aspects of soil (colour and soil texture) caused by fires and to investigate the chemical characteristics of soil (pH, Fe2+, P2O5, and K2O). This study used measurements in the field based on a map of peatland fires in the region and laboratory results. There were 24 samples in this study; they were taken in October 2018, which was about a month after the fire, and in January 2019, which was about four months after the burning. The samples were analysed regarding the soil colour, texture, pH, Fe2+, P2O5, and K2O. The results of the study indicated that the characteristics of the soil on burned land in October 2018 had higher pH, P2O5, and K2O levels than in January 2019. Fires occurred in soil brought changes to the soil physical and chemical properties. The added combustion ash affected the physical and chemical properties of the land, such as soil colour, texture, pH, P2O5, K2O, and Fe2+.