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Spectroscopic and molecular characterization of humic substances (HS) from soils and sediments in a watershed: comparative study of HS chemical fractions and the origins

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Abstract

Optical properties and molecular composition of humic substances (HS) can provide valuable information on the sources and the history of the associated biogeochemical processes. In this study, many well-known spectral and molecular characteristics were examined in eight different HS samples, which were extracted from soils and sediments located in a forested watershed, via two advanced tools including fluorescence excitation emission matrix-parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) and high-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). Two humic-like (C1 and C2) and one protein-like (C3) components were identified from EEM-PARAFAC. Irrespective of the origins, humic acid (HA) fractions were distinguished from fulvic acid (FA) fractions by the HS characteristics of specific UV absorbance (SUVA), the number of formulas, maximum fluorescence intensities of C1 and C2, condensed aromatics, tannins, and CHON, CHOS, and CHONS classes. In contrast, only five HS indices, including C3 intensity, H%, modified aromatic index (AImod), the percentages of carbohydrates, and unsaturated hydrocarbons, were found to be significant factors in discriminating between the two HS origins (i.e., soils and sediments). The ordination of the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity matrix further confirmed that the HS chemical fraction (i.e., HA or FA) was the more important factor to determine the measured HS characteristics than the HS origin. Our results provided an in-depth insight into the chemical and structural heterogeneity of bulk HS, which could be even beyond the differences observed along the two HS origins. This study also delivers a cautious message that the two operationally defined HS chemical fractions should be carefully considered in tracking the origins of different HS samples.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIP) (No. 2014R1A2A2A09049496). It was also funded by the National Institute of Environmental Research, Republic of Korea. The views expressed are not necessarily those of NIER.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, South Korea

    Morgane Derrien, Yun Kyung Lee, Penghui Li, Meilian Chen & Jin Hur

  2. Research Group for Mass Spectrometry, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, Chungbuk, 28119, South Korea

    Jae-Eun Park

  3. Environmental measurement analysis center, National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Incheon, 22689, South Korea

    Sang Hee Lee

  4. Water environmental engineering research division, National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Incheon, 22689, South Korea

    Soo Hyung Lee

  5. Geum River water environmental research center, National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Okcheon, Chungchung, 29029, South Korea

    Jun-Bae Lee

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  1. Morgane Derrien
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Derrien, M., Lee, Y.K., Park, JE. et al. Spectroscopic and molecular characterization of humic substances (HS) from soils and sediments in a watershed: comparative study of HS chemical fractions and the origins. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 16933–16945 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9225-9

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