Molecular and elemental composition of humic acids isolated from selected soils of the Russian Arctic

Humic substances, isolated from selected soils of the Russian Arctic, were investigated in terms of molecular composition and stabilization rate. The degree of polar soil organic matter stabilization was assessed with the use of modern instrumental spectroscopy methods. The analysis of humic acid (HAs) preparations showed that aliphatic fragments prevail in the organic matter isolated in polar soils. The predominance of aliphatic fragments was revealed in HAs from soils located in the coastal zone, which could be caused by regular refreshment of organic matter during sin-lithogenic process and processes of hydrogenation in HAs. Breaking of the C-C bonds and formation of chains with a high hydrogen content, which leads to the formation of aliphatic fragments in HAs, were noted. Data on the calculated atomic ratios of the elements in HAs are given and graphs show the main regularities in the formation of HAs and their properties. The integrated indicators of the molecular composition of humic acids of soils of the Russian Arctic are presented. The paper contains 4 Tables, 4 Figures and 44 References.