Sphagnum moss and peat comparative study: Metal release, binding properties and antioxidant activity

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Sustainable Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Peat is a vital, non-renewable component of cultivation substrates, crucial for carbon storage and biodiversity.
• Reducing peat use is essential for climate change mitigation and conservation efforts.
• Sphagnum moss presents a potential sustainable alternative to peat in growing media.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the metal release and binding properties of peat and Sphagnum moss at varying pH levels.
• To evaluate and contrast the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of these two materials.
• To assess the suitability of Sphagnum moss as a replacement for peat in cultivation substrates.

Main Methods:

• Metal ion concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
• Functional groups were analyzed via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
• Antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays.

Main Results:

• Peat exhibited higher leachable elements at pH 2, while Sphagnum moss showed higher leaching at pH 5.
• Sphagnum moss displayed greater metal adsorption capacity than peat, with specific exceptions.
• Sphagnum moss extracts had significantly higher antioxidant activity than peat, despite similar total phenolic content.

Conclusions:

• Sphagnum moss possesses advantageous metal binding and antioxidant properties compared to peat.
• Functional groups like humic acids and phenolic compounds in Sphagnum moss contribute to its antioxidant capacity.
• These findings support the use of Sphagnum moss as a sustainable alternative to peat in horticultural applications.