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Figure 2.5 Comparison of classification systems used for peat and organic soils ( after Andrejko
et al ., 1983).
Figure 2.6 Scanning electron micrographs of peats: (a) fibrous, (b) sapric and (c) hemic ( after Kazemian
et al ., 2011).
lower compressibility, a lower friction angle, and a higher coefficient of earth pres-
sure at rest. Hemic peat has properties intermediate between fibrous and sapric peats.
Figure 2.6 shows scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of fibrous, hemic, and sapric
peats.
2.3 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON FIBRE CONTENT AND DEGREE
OF HUMIFICATION
Another useful means to classify peat or organic soils as opposed to mineral soils (silts
and clay) is to base it on their fibre content and degree of humification or decomposition
(also known as the von Post scale) (see Table 2.5). The US Department of Agricul-
ture's (USDA) three-point scale classification based on fibre content resulting from
decomposition is described in Table 2.6.
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