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Organic Geochemistry pp 534–557Cite as

Chemistry of Humic Acids and Related Pigments

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Abstract

Humic acids and related pigments, collectively referred to as humic substances, are widely distributed in soils, natural waters, marine and lake sediments, peat bogs, carbonaceous shales, lignites, brown coals and other miscellaneous deposits [1–5]. In addition, trace amounts may be present in plants [6] and certain carbonaceous meteorites [7]. Szalay [8] concluded that the amount of organic carbon in the earth as humic acids (60 x 1011 tons) exceeds that which occurs in living organisms (7 x 1011 tons).

Appreciation is expressed to the National Science Foundation (Grants GP 1938 and GA 348) for support of research in organic geochemistry.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA

    F. J. Stevenson

  2. Division of Soils, C.S.I.R.O., Adelaide, Australia

    J. H. A. Butler

Authors
  1. F. J. Stevenson
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  2. J. H. A. Butler
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Bristol, Bristol, England

    Geoffrey Eglinton

  2. St. Joseph College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA

    Mary T. J. Murphy (Sister) (Sister)

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© 1969 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Stevenson, F.J., Butler, J.H.A. (1969). Chemistry of Humic Acids and Related Pigments. In: Eglinton, G., Murphy, M.T.J. (eds) Organic Geochemistry. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-87734-6_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-87734-6_28

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-87736-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-87734-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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