Resumen
RESUMEN. En Chile se han detectado extensos depositos de turba. Su distribucion alcanza maximo desarrollo en la llamada 'Patagonia chilena' de las Regiones XI y XII, al sur de la latitud 42°S. En ellas, como resultado de la intensa actividad glacial cuaternaria prevalecieron peculiares ambientes climaticos, morfologicos, geologicos y vegetacionales que resultaron favorables al desarrollo de abundantes comunidades vegetacionales con predominio de musgos del genero Sphagnum (magellanicum y fuscus), comunmente asociados a valiosas acumulaciones de turba, generada por una lenta y progresiva descomposicion de restos vegetales. Actualmente, en Chile existen dos yacimientos de turba en explotacion proximos a la ciudad de Punta Arenas. Los niveles de extraccion se situan en el rango de los 30.000 a 35.000 m3 anuales. La totalidad de la produccion magallanica (Region XII) se utiliza en el cultivo de champinones y en viveros de arboles frutales y flores en la zona central de Chile. Las turbas magallanicas tienen contenidos de humedad natural entre 90 percentage y 95 percentage; pH entre 4.0 y 4.3; cenizas entre 0.5 y 4.1 porciento; conductividad entre 0,03 y 0,05 mS/cm. El contenido energetico medio de estas turbas molidas, con 30 percentage de humedad, es de 3.24 G Joule/m3 o 9,4 M Joule/kg. Estudies preliminares permiten establecer que las reservas explotables serian de 15.400x10 6 m3, cubriendo un area de 10.400 km2. Se estima que en el proximo futuro, las actividades extractivas de turba en Chile, deberian experimentar un sostenido incremento, y constituirse en una atractiva alternativa de sustento laboral para el medio rural en las regiones patagonicas. ABSTRACT. Peatland deposits in Chile and their potential exploitation. Extensive peatlands have been detected in Chile. Their maximum distribution corresponds to the territory known as 'Chilean Patagonia' (XI and XII Regions, south of latitude 42°S), where peculiar climatic, morphologic, geologic and vegetational environments were developed as a result of intense Quaternary glacial activity. This favoured the development of vegetational communities with predominance of Sphagnum genus, usually associated to valuable peat deposits, generated from slow and progressive decomposition of organic matter. Presently, there are two peat operations at work, both located near Punta Arenas. The whole of the magellanic peat production is used for champignon, fruit and flower nurseries, on two small farms located in Central Chile. The magellanic peats have natural humidity contents ranging between 90 percentage and 95 percentage; pH between 4.0 and 4.3; ash content between 0.5 percentage and 4.1 percentage; conductivity between 0.03 and 0.05 mS/cm. The energy content of ground peat with 30 percentage of humidity has values of 3.24 G Joule/m3 or 9.4 M Joule/kg. At present there is no rigorous estimate of Chile's peat reserves. They could be estimated in 15,400x10 subindice 6 m3, considering an area of 10,400 km2 and an average thickness of 1.5 m far the deposits. Future peat harvesting industry in Chile should undergo a steady growth over the next decade, emerging as a significant source of rural labour.