In this study, the possible pathway of the formations of soil humic substances was investigated through comparisons of soil humic and fulvic acids with progressive decomposition of soil organic matter using pyrolysis GC/MS. Soil organic matter samples were collected from grass and forest soils at depths of 0-12 cm, 12-25 cm, and 25-38 cm. Each of the humic acid, fulvic acid, and the soil samples were purged with helium and pyrolysized at a temperature programmed from 300 to 500�C with a temperature increasing rate of 10�C/min. The results of the pyrolysis GC/MS spectra were analyzed for traces that might be derived from aliphatic hydrocarbon, lignin, polysaacharide, and heterocyclic N and non- heterocyclic N. It is our hope that the detailed correlations of the pyrolysis GC/MS products of the humic substances with progressive decomposition stages of soil organic matter may offer some new insight information of the formation pathways and the structures of soil humic substances.

Comparative study of humic substances with progressive decompositions of soil organic matter through Pyrolysis GC/MS

248th National Meeting (2014)

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