The Destructive Impact of Burned Peatlands to Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil

摘要

Peatland fires occur every year in the South Kalimantan ProvinceIndonesia, particularly affecting soil characteristics. The purposes ofthis study are to analyse the physical aspects of soil (colour and soiltexture) caused by fires and to investigate the chemicalcharacteristics of soil (pH, Fe2+, P2O5, and K2O). This study usedmeasurements in the field based on a map of peatland fires in theregion and laboratory results. There were 24 samples in this study;they were taken in October 2018, which was about a month after thefire, and in January 2019, which was about four months after theburning. The samples were analysed regarding the soil colour,texture, pH, Fe2+, P2O5, and K2O. The results of the study indicatedthat the characteristics of the soil on burned land in October 2018had higher pH, P2O5, and K2O levels than in January 2019. Firesoccurred in soil brought changes to the soil physical and chemicalproperties. The added combustion ash affected the physical andchemical properties of the land, such as soil colour, texture, pH,P2O5, K2O, and Fe2+.