In recent years，humic acids research and application has promoted exploitation and development of agriculture, garden industry, Animal husbandry, aquaculture, medicine and health, industry, environmental protection and other fields. Then do you know what humic acid is? And the formation process? The author will explain in detail for you in the following content.
What is humic acid?
Mineral source humic acids origin is animal and plant remains. mainly plant remains, an organic substance accumulated and formed through a series of processes of transformation and decomposition of microorganisms and natural physical chemistry of the earth. The organic matter main ingredients are carbon. Usually most of the organic components that we can come into contact with are carbon chains. The carbon of humic acids is a benzene ring.
The chemical elements contained in humic acid are mainly as follows:
Carbon (C) 40%-70%
Oxygen (O) 25%-45%
Hydrogen (H) 2%-6%
Nitrogen (N) 1%-3%
Sulfur (S) 0-2%
Obviously, the carbon content is very high, This is why many manufacturers sell humic acids as a carbon fertilizer.
The formation process of humic acid
- ①Humic acids prototype origin is animal and plant remains. mainly plant remains, under the crust, transformation and decomposition by microorganisms, Peat formed first, higher moisture content, contains humic acid, But it is difficult to extract and costly. Therefore, although peat is a good raw material for extracting humic acids, but usually not chosen it.
- ②Later, over time, lignite formed, lignite exposed to the air, leonardite is formed after physical or chemical weathering, also surface coal, both lignite and leonardite belong to primary humic acid.
- ③Lignite has evolved over a long period of time to form bituminous coal or anthracite. After weathering, bituminous coal and anthracite form weathered coal, belongs to regenerated humic acids.
Humic acids can be divided into black humic acids (above 5000D)、palm humic acids (1000D-5000D)、fulvic acid (below 1000D) according to its chemical molecular weight, they are the three major parts of humic acids. The greater molecular mass, the weaker molecular motion activity.
After dissolving the humic acids in water, its characteristics can be seen: It looks crystal clear after dissolving quickly, after being left for a period of time, due to its high molecular weight, it will surely delaminate.
This article, author popularized the knowledge of what humic acids is and its formation process, Hope to benefit you. Next time, in the article “How to judge the quality of humic acid products?”, will teach you more information.