To use compost appropriately in agriculture it is extremely important to estimate the stabilization level of the organic matter. In this work, two different piles of compost were studied by means of (i) humification parameters (degree of humification--DH, humification rate--HR, humification index--HI) prior to and after enzymatic hydrolysis of the extracted organic carbon, (ii) water-soluble or...

A composting experiment was carried out to assess the best parameters as indicators for degree of compost maturity and to determine humification indices for practical use. The effect of humic acids extracted on soil microorganisms growth was also simultaneously investigated in vitro under axenic conditions. The parameters used were oxidizable carbon (Co), alkaline-extractable carbon (Cex), humi...

Stumps account for a large proportion of coarse woody debris in managed forests, but their decay dynamics are poorly understood. The loss of mass and the degree of humification of the above-ground woody debris, below-ground woody debris, bark and root system (R1, 10 mm ≥ diameter > 0 mm; R2, 25 mm ≥ diameter >10 mm; 100 mm ≥ R3 > 25 mm; R4 > 100 mm) of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) stump syste...

Studying the influence of climatic and/or site-specific factors on soil organic matter (SOM) along an elevation gradient is important for understanding the response of SOM to global warming. We evaluated the composition of SOM and structure of humic acids along an altitudinal gradient from 600 to 1400 m in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) plantations in central Taiwan using NMR spectroscopy a...

252 Pyrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compound present in contaminated soil at the Champion International Superfund site in Libby, Montana, a site presently undergoing land farming/preparedbed bioremediation, was evaluated with regard to incorporation into soil components (humification) in biologically active and poisoned treatments under varying environmental conditions including...

The Maillard reaction involving condensation reactions between sugars and amino acids is considered to be an important pathway in natural humification processes. Polyphenols in terrestrial and aquatic environments are regarded as important precursors in the formation of humic substances. In nature it is most likely that these two processes do not occur separately but rather interact with each o...

Studies of the properties of soil organic matter are essential for understanding the humification reactions and soil diagenesis processes. The aim of this study is to analyse properties of peat and peat humic acids as well as factors influencing their variability. Humic acids isolated from an ombrotrophic bog peat profile were used as study objects. Relations among peat age, decomposition and h...

The increments of aromatic structures are widely used to monitor the degree of humification. Compost derived from mix manures mixed with agricultural wastes was studied. The compost collected at day 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 49, 77, 91, 105, and 119 was divided into 3 stages, initial stage at day 0, thermophilic stage during day 1-48, and mature stage during day 49-119. The change of highest absorp...

Bamboo, which has dense culms and root rhizome systems, can alter soil properties when it invades adjacent forests. Therefore, this study investigated whether bamboo invasions can cause changes in soil organic matter (SOM) composition and soil humification. We combined solid-state (13)C NMR spectroscopy and chemical analysis to examine the SOM in a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and adja...