SELF-IGNITION OF PEATLANDS IN CENTRAL EUROPE - POSSIBILITY ASSESSMENT.

The results of laboratory studies concerning self-ignition in Central Europe are presented in this paper. There are known cases of self-ignition of peatlands in Indonesia and tropical regions of Africa, as well as in Southern Europe (for example in Italy and Spain). Therefore, there is a possibility that this phenomenon could also occur in Central Europe due to a climate warming. The laboratory studies, using adiabatic calorimeters, were carried out to assess the tendency of peat to self-ignition. The main aim of this studies was to determine the limit values of peat moisture content and content of inorganic matter at which self-ignition is possible. It was found that lowering the peat moisture content below 30% and heating it up to 40°C enables the start of self-ignition process. The climate changes, causing the constant growth of average temperature of Earth's surface, heat waves and long-lasting droughts, can lead to partial drying of peat bogs and increase in peat's temperature and therefore promotes self-ignition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]