Sphagnum also been used to preserve food. Up to 2000-year-old containers of butter or lard have been found. "Sphagnum" moss has also been used for centuries as a dressing for wounds, including through World War I. Since it is absorptive and extremely acidic, it inhibits growth of bacteria and fungi, so it is used for shipping seeds and live plants. Peat moss is used to dispose of the clarified liquid output (effluent) from septic tanks in areas that lack the proper conditions for ordinary disposal means. It is also used as an environmentally friendly alternative to chlorine in swimming pool sanitation.
Lough Derravaragh south of this raised bog. Much of the high bog possesses vegetation typical of an Irish Midland raised bog, with such species as ling heather ("Calluna vulgaris") and hare's tail cottongrass ("Eriophorum vaginatum"). The hummock-forming bog moss, "Sphagnum papillosum" has been recorded situated around one third of the high bog as has the more scarce "Sphagnum imbricatum". Overall, sphagnum covers around one-third of the high bog area. The centre of the bog is wet with stagnant water in places. The aquatic bog moss "Sphagnum cuspidatum" has been recorded in the hollows of the bog. There are dried-out channels of the