The main physical and chemical properties of colloidal-dispersed and high-molecular systems, methods for determining the chemical composition and acidity, moisture content and elements of the organic part of peat, as well as methods for studying the optical, electrophysical and physical and technical properties of peat are considered. Schemes of complex chemical, biochemical and thermochemical processing of peat are given. Modern physical and chemical methods of peat research and prospects for its complex use in the national economy are described.