## 3 Literature Review
### Peat Processing Technologies and Peat Applications
#### 3.2.2 The Potential of High Added Value of Peat Products and Materials
The use of peat moss in biochar production has proven the possibility of removing higher concentrations of heavy metals from polluted water--with peat biochar, it was possible to remove more than 80% of lead and almost 40% of cadmium compounds from polluted water. Due to its porous structure and hydrophobicity, peat can be used as a sorbent to separate crude oil from water. Peat biosorbents are both a cost-effective solution, and biologically produced sorbents have been used more in recent years to remove crude oil in marine compared to chemical sorbents [146; 147; 162]. Activated carbon can also be used in the food industry, as well as in the pharmaceutical field. The possibilities of using activated carbon are also highly appreciated in the chemical industry, as it can be used to produce synthetic fibres. Compared to synthetic fibres, peat fibres are rated at lower costs. A low ash content characterises peat, and it is, therefore, evaluated as promising to produce activated carbon as a sorbent [162]. * **Filtration systems** The possibility of peat has been assessed for use in water filtration systems and municipal wastewater treatment. Peat is suitable for water treatment because of its porosity and filtering properties, essential for removing pollution from water. Peat is used as activated carbon or as a peat filter. With a peat filter or activated carbon, it is possible to purify water from heavy metals and organic compounds [163]. Peat moss can be used as a raw material to produce activated carbon. Activated carbon can be widely used in soil and water purification from organic and inorganic pollution sources [6]. * **Medicine and cosmetics** The possibilities of using peat are still being studied in pharmaceuticals and medicine. The use of peat in physiotherapy has been estimated as a potential application due to its heat capacity because of its decomposition state. Other uses include natural steroid formulations that use peat or anti-wrinkle products with peat ingredients. The selection of proper preparations requires research and the selection of raw materials, as the preparations must have a certain chemical composition and organic and mineral compounds [6, 162]. * **Use of Humic acids** It is possible to dye paper with peat humic acids, reducing the release of hazardous compounds into wastewater that the dyed paper would otherwise cause. Studies have indicated that peat humic acids can be used as additives to influence the structure and properties of lubricants. Peat can be converted into humic acids and used to mix and process rubber. Humic acids have a wide range of uses: possible additives, antioxidants, pigment dispersants, and colourants [33]. * **Remediation of degraded soils** The potential for using peat has been assessed directly for the economically beneficial restoration of degraded soils. Peat material is used as a solution in rehabilitation processes. The use of peat to restore degraded soils is also called bioremediation. During this, peat separates oil and other polluting substances from soils, for example. In bioremediation, the absorbed oils are transformed into water and CO\({}_{2}\) using peat [14, 33]. The applications of peat based on the literature mentioned above are shown in Figure 5.