Possible use of tropical peats as fuel: an example from Jamaica

Abstract

Preliminary examinations of two Holocene coastal peat deposits in Jamaica have indicated more than 150 million wet tons of peat, exceeding 10 m depth in places. Most of the peat is of the sedge marsh type, bordered on the seaward side by mangrove peats. It overlies clays, resting in turn on faulted Tertiary limestone blocks. Although ash contents are comparatively high (usually more than 10%, dry weight basis), peats of this type could be attractive as sources of energy in developing countries, such as Jamaica, which have no indigenous supplies of fossil fuel. Deposits similar to those in Jamaica are probably widespread, but few studies appear to have been carried out on peats for fuel in tropical areas.