Abstract

Humic substances are the main constituents of natural organic matter, found in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Humic substances are a complex, dispersed, and heterogeneous mixture of various organic compounds synthesized from organic matter residues, decomposed by microorganisms. Most scientists indicate that humic substances are as a supramolecular association of small heterogeneous molecules stabilized by weak intermolecular bonds. When these substances are presented in water intended for drinking or industrial use, it can have a significant impact on the treatability of this water and on the success of chemical disinfection processes, due to possible formation of organic compounds harmful to human health. Moreover, the humic substances can be used of several ways such as fertilizer to help in the development of plants, to improve soil erosion and to removal of organic compounds and metals from soils and waters. In addition, humic substances suggest an important role in mitigating areas degraded by the phytoremediation technique. The purpose of chapter is to provide an overview of humic substances and to discuss their concepts, chemical characteristics, ecological effects and technological applications for soils and aquatic systems.

Highlights

  • Humic substances are the main constituents of natural organic matter, found in both aquatic and terrestrial environments

  • Natural organic matter can be classified into aquagenic organic matter and paedogenic organic matter

  • Paedogenic organic matter is produced by the decomposition of land plants and microorganisms, including leached material from the soil anchored in the aquatic system

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Summary

Introduction

Humic substances are the main constituents of natural organic matter, found in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Paedogenic organic matter is produced by the decomposition of land plants and microorganisms, including leached material from the soil anchored in the aquatic system. The macromolecular model assumes that humic substances are a soil polymer and that humification is the process by which organic compounds from plants and animals are not fully oxidized to CO2 and H2O and accumulate in the soil as humus [8–10]. Among the three main structural models (micellar, macromolecular and supramolecular) of humic substances, currently, the supramolecular model is the most widely accepted by researchers in the IHSS [2]. The scientific community has been discussing the macromolecular and supramolecular models, due to the undefined chemical structure of humic substances

Concept and characterization of humic substances
Determination of humic substances in water samples
Ecological effect
Technological applications
Findings
Final considerations
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