NMR characterization of humic acid fractions from different Philippine soils and sediments

Humic acids from a peat soil, an agricultural soil and a lake sediment from the Philippines were fractioned by sorption chromatography on cross-linked dextran gels (Sephadex¹). The NMR spectra of these fractions have sharp, well resolved bands which can be attributed to lignin-like structures, carbohydrates and aliphatic groups. Similar bands have been observed in the NMR spectra of humic acid fractions from other environments; however, the chemical shifts of some of the lines vary from one humic acid to another. These lines appear to arise from well defined, partially decomposed plant components and probably are diagnostic of the types of plants that decomposed into these humic acids. The lines in the carbohydrate region are the best resolved and may prove to be the most useful in identifying the plant precursors of any particular humic acid fraction.     

On-line fractionation and characterization of aquatic humic substances by means of sequential-stage ultrafiltration

A five-stage tangential-flow ultrafiltration (UF) device equipped with advanced membrane filters (molecular weight cut-off: 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 kDalton) of the polyethersulfone type is described and applied for the analytical on-line fractionation of a series of aquatic humic substances (HS) originating from surface or groundwaters. Fractionation patterns of HS (6 fractions each) evaluated by this UF device exhibit their particular dependence on the HS concentration, the pH-value and the salt content of the sample (10 ml) to be analyzed. Fundamental parameters (e.g., washing volume) governing the molecular-size fractionation of HS by means of multistage UF are discussed, too. The fractionation of an aquatic reference HS (BOC 3/9.5) by means of the above UF procedure reveals considerable differences preferably characterized by the UV-VIS absorption ratio E₃₅₀/E₄₅₀ and metal complexing capacity (Cu(II)) of the produced fractions. Moreover, molecular spectroscopy investigations (FTIR, ¹H-NMR) of the fraction series of this HS indicate that carbohydrate substructures (preferably found in fractions >50 k Dalton) and aromatic ones (preferably in fractions <5 k Dalton) are unevenly distributed.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Dieter Klockow on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Humic substances in surface waters of the Ukraine

The results of studies of humic substances in water bodies of different types (lakes, rivers, and reservoirs) are given. It is shown that concentration of these natural organic compounds varies in a wide range of values (from 1.2 to 126.5 mg L^?1) due to different sources of their formation. The highest concentrations of humic substances are characteristic for rivers of the Pripyat’ River basin flowing through the wetland. As we move from the north to the south, the content of humic substances is reduced. So, in the Kakhovka Reservoir, closing the Dnieper cascade of reservoirs, the concentration of humic substances is almost thrice as low as in the Kiev Reservoir, which is at the head of the cascade. Seasonal changes of humic substances concentration and the reasons for these changes are discussed. The prevailing fraction in the composition of humic substances is represented by fulvic acids, the content of which reaches 80.8–94.8% of the total. The results of studies of the molecular weight distribution of humic substances and the reasons for changes in the ratio of their individual fractions, depending on the detection method (spectrophotometric and fluorescence methods), are considered. The values of the number average (M _n) and weight average (M _w) molecular weight of humic substances and the degree of polydispersity are calculated. It is shown that M _w varies seasonally. In spring and summer it is lower, but significantly increased in autumn. The reason for this phenomenon is degradation of high-molecular fractions of humic substances under the influence of UV light of solar radiation and increased microbiological activity during the summer season. As a result of these processes high-molecular fractions of humic substances are transformed into fractions with lower molecular weight, which become predominant.     

Advanced CPMAS-13C NMR techniques for molecular characterization of size-separated fractions from a soil humic acid

A humic acid extracted from a volcanic soil was subjected to preparative high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) to reduce its molecular complexity and eleven different size fractions were obtained. Cross-polarization magic-angle spinning ¹³C NMR (CPMAS ¹³C NMR) analysis performed with variable contact-time (VCT) pulse sequences showed that the largest molecular-size fractions contained aromatic, alkyl, and carbohydrate-like components. The carbohydrate-like content and the alkyl chain length seemed to decrease with decreasing molecular size. Progressive reduction of aromatic carbon atoms was also observed with decreasing molecular size of the separated fractions. Mathematical treatment of the results from VCT experiments enabled cross polarization (T _CH) and proton spin–lattice relaxation () times to be related to structural differences among the size fractions. The conformational distribution indicated that the eleven size fractions could be allocated to two main groups. The first group, with larger nominal molecular sizes, was characterized by molecular domains with slower local molecular motion. The second group of size fractions, with smaller nominal molecular sizes, was characterized by a larger number of molecular domains with faster local molecular motion. The T _CH and values suggested that either condensed or strongly associated aromatic systems were predominant in the size fractions with the largest apparent molecular dimensions.     

Aqueous size-exclusion chromatography of humic acids on a sephadex gel column with diluted phosphate buffers as eluents

The elution behavior of humic acids on a Sephadex gel column is senstive to the composition, concentration, and pH of the eluent. the concentrations of the eluent in the literature are too high to obtain the correct molecular size distribution of humic acids. By reducing the concentration of phosphate buffer eluents to about a hundredth of conventional concentrations, the correct distribution is obtained. In the proposed method, 1 ml of 0.1% sample solution is introduced into a Sephadex G-50 column (2.2-cm diameter, 55 cm long) and humic acids are eluted with a 10^?3 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 7–9) at a flow rate of 1 ml min^?1.     

Study on the influence of humic acid of different molecular weight on basic ion exchange resin's adsorption capacity

In this paper, humic acid (HA) was ultra-filtered into different molecular weight sections and was characterized by multi-element analysis, UV₂₅₄/TOC, FT-IR and three-dimensional fluorescence spectrometric. Since humic acids of different molecular weights have different hydrophilic and molecular size, the maximum adsorption capacity of basic ion exchange resins appears on the humic acid whose molecular weight ranges from 6000 to 10,000 Da.     

Zur Charakterisierung von Boden-Huminstoffen

Summary Humic acids prepared from four horizons of a Podzol in the Segeberger Forest as well as different fractions of humic substances (fulvi acid, humic acid, and humin) of the Ahe horizon were characterized by a combination of analytical methods. As basis served the data from elemental analyses, UV/VIS-, FTIR-, and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography using Fractogel TSK, and vapor pressure osmometry. Utilizing pyrolysis in direct coupling with field ionization mass spectrometry, more detailed information about structural features of the humic substances in soils could be obtained. In this manner, the different importance of carbohydrates, aromatic, and lipidic components in the various fractions is observed. The characteristic temperature dependence of the averaged molecular weights of the pyrolyzates indicates a basic structural skeleton, which is quite similar for the humic acids isolated from the different horizons. By degradation of the carbohydrates and increasing incorporation of lipidic components an enhanced biotransformation takes place with increasing depth of the soil profile.

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Gewidmet Herrn Professor Dr. W. Fresenius zum 75. Geburtstag     

泥炭土连续碱抽提腐殖酸的分子结构特征

从Pahokee泥炭土中连续碱抽提分离出8个不同的腐殖酸级分，并对每一级分进行了元素分析、傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）、固态^13C核磁共振（^13CNMR)、高效排阻色谱（HPSEC）等一系列定性、定量研究。结果表明：所分离出的8个腐殖酸级分存在明显的结构性质差异，随提取和蔼的增加，O／C原子比由0．52减少到0．36，H／C原子比由1．05增加到1．52，相应于结构中含氧基团的减少和脂族基的增加，表观分子量也由7．7K增加到22．1K。同时，^13C NMR显示长链脂肪碳结构由无定型向晶型转变。此工作表明在所研究的腐殖酸中可能存在分别具有芳香或脂肪特性的两类腐殖酸结构，每种类型都有不同的分子量分布、元素组成、基团结构和母质来源。在特定的环境因素下，不同类型的腐殖酸会共存于同一体系中，增加了腐殖物质的非均匀性和复杂性。     

Spectroscopic and chemical characterizations of molecular size fractionated humic acid

A sample of humic acid was divided by ultrafiltration into five fractions of different molecular size (F1; 300 000: F2; 100 000-300 000: F3; 50 000-100 000: F4; 10 000-50 000: F5; 1000-10 000 daltons). Characterization by IR, and CPMAS C-13 NMR spectroscopy indicated that the molecules of the fraction of >/=100 000 daltons were primarily aliphatic, while the smaller molecules of the >/=10 000 dalton fraction were predominantly aromatic. Titration (pH) data were consistent with an increase in the number of carboxylate groups per unit mass as molecular size became smaller. A comparative study with unpurified and purified (by treatment with ion exchange elution, acid precipitation and alkaline dissolution) humic acid samples showed chemical alteration with some loss of carboxyl groups in the humic acid.     

Adsorption of humic substances by macro weakly basic ion-exchange resin and their effects on removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+

<正>Adsorption ofhumic,tannic and gallic acids by a macro weakly basic ion-exchange resin JN-01 was studied.The adsorption capacity of this resin for gallic and tannic acids is much higher than that for humie acid,which can be explained on the basis of both their molecular size and ionization degree.Furthermore,humic acid is separated into different components with molecular weight in the range from 2000 Da to 100000 Da by ultra-filter,and their adsorption isotherms on resin JN-01 indicate that humic acid's molecular weight is an important factor which makes significant influence on adsorption.Finally,changes in the amount of Cu~(2+) and Pb~(2+) adsorbed on resin JN-01 as a function of the concentration of each of these three acids were studied.A large increase in the heavy metal ions uptake is observed in the presence of humic substance,such advantages are due to the interactions between the heavy metal ions and the unbound functional groups of the adsorbed organic acids.     

Size and shape of soil humic acids estimated by viscosity and molecular weight

Ultrafiltration fractions of three soil humic acids were characterized by viscometry and high performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) in order to estimate shapes and hydrodynamic sizes. Intrinsic viscosities under given solute/solvent/temperature conditions were obtained by extrapolating the concentration dependence of reduced viscosities to zero concentration. Molecular mass (weight average molecular weight (M (w)) and number average molecular weight (M (n))) and hydrodynamic radius (R(H)) were determined by HPSEC using pullulan as calibrant. Values of M (w) and M (n) ranged from 15 to 118 x 10(3) and from 9 to 50 x 10(3) (g mol(-1)), respectively. Polydispersity, as indicated by M (w)/M (n), increased with increasing filter size from 1.5 to 2.4. The hydrodynamic radii (R(H)) ranged between 2.2 and 6.4 nm. For each humic acid, M (w) and [eta] were related. Mark-Houwink coefficients calculated on the basis of the M (w)-[eta] relationships suggested restricted flexible chains for two of the humic acids and a branched structure for the third humic acid. Those structures probably behave as hydrated sphere colloids in a good solvent. Hydrodynamic radii of fractions calculated from [eta] using Einstein's equation, which is applicable to hydrated sphere colloids, ranged from 2.2 to 7.1 nm. These dimensions are fit to the size of nanospaces on and between clay minerals and micropores in soil particle aggregates. On the other hand, the good agreement of R(H) values obtained by applying Einstein's equation with those directly determined by HPSEC suggests that pullulan is a suitable calibrant for estimation of molecular mass and size of humic acids by HPSEC.     

Radio-tracer methods for studying speciation in natural waters

Radio-tracer experiments have shown that antimony, mercury and zinc interact to form complexes with humic and/or fulvic acids, whose molar masses can be estimated by gel chromatography. Sb(III) and (V) humates are stable in the pH range 7–11, but are largely dissociated below pH 4; humic acid does not reduce Sb(V) to Sb(III) in solution. Mercury forms a strong complex with humic+fulvic acids. Zinc forms complexes with both humic acids and glycine, and the humic acid complex has similar elution behaviour on dextran gel to a fraction from river water equilibrated with⁶⁵Zn. At least one other form of zinc, in addition to Zn²⁺, occurs in this river.     

Characterization of Mercury – Humic Acids Interaction by Potentiometric Titration with a Modified Carbon Paste Mercury Sensor

Stability constant for mercury binding by commercial and natural humic acids (HA) were determined using a new potentiometric mercury(II) sensor based on dithiosalicylic acid modified carbon paste electrode. The sensor present a high selective and sensitive response to mercury(II) ions, and a low detection limit of 1.8×10^?8 M. The potentiometric titrations curves of humic acids against mercury(II) ions were modeled. For 1.00×10^?7 to 3.00×10^?4 M mercury(II) ion concentration levels the results are consistent with the presence of two different binding sites in the humic acid macromolecule. The strongest binding sites (log K₁ ranging from 10.1 to 6.8) are probably due to interaction with carboxylic acid and amine groups in the molecule, whereas weakest binding sites (log K₂ ranging from 8.8 to 4.5) can be associated to phenolic groups.     

Potentiometric-spectroscopic evaluation of metal-ion complexes by humic fractions extracted from corn tissue

Humic fraction (HF) functional group-type and content are expected to depend on molecular size, which in turn, is expected to influence formation of heavy-metal complexes. In this study, corn (Zea mays L.) stalks and leaves were decomposed for an 8-month period to produce water-soluble humic substances. These substances were separated into three water-soluble fractions, HF1, HF2 and HF3, from highest to lowest relative molecular size. Functional group determination showed that carboxylic, and phenolic OH acidity increased as relative molecular size of humic fractions decreased. We also observed decreasing C/O ratios from larger to smaller corn tissue-derived humic fractions, whereas N/C and H/C ratios remained relatively unaffected. Furthermore, using potentiometric titration and FTIR spectroscopy we studied formation of Ca2+-, Cd2+-, and Cu2+-humic fraction complexes and how they were affected by pH and molecular size. We determined that metal-humic complexes exhibited at least two types of functional group-sites with respect to Ca2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+ complexation. Strength of metal-ion humic complexes followed the order Cu2+ > Cd2+ > Ca2+ and was affected by pH, especially for low affinity sites. Carboxylic groups were most likely the dominant group-sites involved in complex formation. Magnitude of the metal-humic formation constants in the logarithmic form at the lowest equilibrium metal-ion concentration, under the various pH values tested, varied from 5.39 to 5.90 for Ca2+, 5.36 to 6.01 for Cd2+, and 6.93 to 7.71 for Cu2+. Furthermore, the formation constants appeared to be positively influenced by decreasing molecular size of water-soluble humic fraction, and increasing pH. However, our molecular spectra showed that the pKa of corn humic fractions increased with decreasing relative molecular size and that Cu2+ was more covalently bonded by humic fractions than were Ca2+ and Cd2+, and the nature of the covalent bond character was independent of pH.     

Size exclusion (radio) chromatography of aqueous humic acid solutions with cesium and strontium

The high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and radiochromatography (HPSERC) was used for the identification of radiocesium and radiostrontium interaction with humic acid. It was found that the behavior of humic acid on size-exclusion chromatography is sensitive to the salt concentration and pH of the mobile phase. At lower ionic strength and in acidic region of pH, the Aldrich humic acid exhibited three main fraction within the ranges >760 kDa, 25–100 kDa and <5 kDa. Radiocesium was found in the low-molecular fractions (<1 kDa) of humic acids but radiostrontium interacts preferably with the fractions of humic acid of molecular weight within the range 2–5 kDa.     

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Humic Substances from Peat: Assessment of Process Efficiency and Products’ Quality

Results of efficiency of obtaining humic substances (HSs) from peat in traditional alkaline extraction (TAE) and ultrasound-assisted alkaline extraction (UAAE) are presented. The influence of the duration of the process and ultrasound intensity on the efficiency of extraction of humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs) extraction was determined. The composition of the fulvic acid fraction was examined depending on the type of eluent used. Fulvic acids were divided into fractions using columns packed with DAX-8 resin. For this process, 0.1 M NaOH and 0.5 M NH₃∙H₂O were used as eluents. For the quality assessment of specific fulvic acids fractions, spectroscopic methods (UV-Vis and FTIR) were used. Ultrasound had a positive effect on HS extraction efficiency, especially in increasing the amount of a desired hydrophobic fraction of fulvic acids (HPO). However, a negative effect of the excessive prolongation and ultrasound intensity (approximately 400 mW∙cm⁻²) on the extraction efficiency of HPO eluted with 0.1 M NaOH solution was observed. Using peat as a raw carbon material for the HS extraction process can be used as an alternative industrial application of peat. UAAE may be considered as an alternative method to TAE, which provides a higher efficiency in HS isolation from peat.     

Molecular size distribution of Pu in the presence of humic substances in river and groundwaters

The association properties of Pu with aquatic humic substances in a 0.01M NaClO₄ solution at pH 6–8 were studied on the basis of molecular size distribution. Seven humic substances were isolated from river water and groundwaters using XAD extraction technique. They were used for comparing their effects on the association of Pu. In the presence of humic acid, the dominant molecular size of Pu was 100–30 kDa. In the presence of fulvic acid, Pu exhibited three dominant molecular sizes: 30–10 kDa, 30–5 kDa, and less than 5 kDa. The association of Pu-humus complexes might be controlled by the molecular size distribution of humic substances and characteristics of their respective size fractions.     

Preparation and characterization of humic and fulvic acid working standards—practical experience

Two fractions of both fulvic acids (FA) and humic acid (HA) were prepared by fractionation method of Pierce and Felbeck⁵ involving acid hydrolysis of soil rests. This step increases recovery of both FA and HA considerably what suggest us need for slight modification of IHSS method in some cases. The weight loss, change in organic carbon content and visible spectra are figures of merit discussed. After detailed characterization these humic substances (HS) will serve as the working standards for study of interactions between organomercurials and organic part of soil.     

Complexation of Eu3+ and Am3+ with soil humic acid extracted from Okchon Basin of Korean Peninsula

The complexation of Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺ ions with the humic acids has been investigated at various pH (4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.4) in 0.1M NaClO₄ solution using solvent extraction technique. Two humic acids are used in this study: humic acid extracted from the soil of Taejon on the Okchon Basin of Korea (TJHA) and commercially available one from Aldrich Chemical Co. (AHA). The total carboxylate group concentrations were determined to be 3.58 meq/g and 4.59 meq/g for Taejon and Aldrich humic acids, respectively. The conditional stability constants (log ₁ and log ₂), dependent on the pH of the solution, of the complexes of Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺ ions with the humic acids have been determined at the ionic medium of 0.1M NaClO₄. The values of stability constants with the degree of ionization of TJHA for Eu and Am complexes are quite well agreed with those of Lake Bradford humic acid (LBHA), indicating that structural characteristics of TJHA and LBHA may be quite similar to one another.     

Characterization of humic materials by flow field-flow fractionation

Several humic materials are characterized by flow field-flow fractionation, including humic acids, a fulvic acid, and aqueous leachates from compost. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions of a compost leachate were also examined. After characterizing molecular weight distributions, the effect of pH and salt concentration on hydrodynamic size is studied. In general, the hydrodynamic size decreases as the pH is lowered. However, humic acids form large aggregates below pH 5. Small amounts of sodium chloride have little effect on the size distributions. In contrast, a little calcium chloride reduces the hydrodynamic size of individual molecules while inducing the formation of oligomers, although severe aggregation is absent. With further additions of calcium chloride, the decrease in hydrodynamic size continues but oligomer formation subsides. Precise characterization of the unaggregated material is hindered by sample penetration through the channel membrane.