Humic substances composition and properties as an environmentally sustainable system: A review and way forward to soil conservation

Abstract

This review article discusses humic substances – specific organic compounds, which are the substantial part of the bioenergy matrix of the food chains of living creatures and the essence of the exchange interaction of those media. The dead organisms (mostly plants) are transformed into humic substances. A prerequisite for creating the monograph was a steady interest in humic substances from humus specialists (soil scientists, agricultural chemists, coal chemists, etc.) and biologists, physicians, and workers in agriculture, forestry, and communal services. At the same time, monographs are quite rare in the literature, where humic substances are described quite fully. Based on our experience in studying humic substances, we have attempted to characterize humic substances comprehensively. Collecting disparate information and analyzing it made it possible to obtain a more or less holistic view of such a unique natural object as humic substances. Much attention is paid to the colloidal properties of these specific compounds. We must not forget that humic substances are a necessary and mandatory component of all metabolic processes in the biosphere.

Keywords:

• Colloidal properties
• humic substances
• organic mater
• soil conservation

Acknowledgments

We thank the Colleagues of Department of Soil Science and Soil Ecology, Institute of Earth Sciences of St. Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia, Colleagues Department of Land and Water Technologies, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, Alexandria, Egypt, and Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.