The only book to completely define and explore the genesis, extraction, properties, and impact of humic matter on agriculture, industry, and the environment, Humic Matter in Soil and the Environment delves into the issues and controversies associated with produced and natural humic compounds. It assesses the role of humic substances in medicines, fertilizers, and industrial and pharmaceutical operations, providing characteristic visible light, infrared, ESR, NMR spectra, and electron micrographs for every humic compound. Unparalleled in scope and depth, this reference examines controversies regarding humic matter as a real or false compound and identifies trends and prospects for the future.

The field of humic matter research has undergone drastic changes in concepts and principles since the first edition of Humic Matter in Soil and the Environment: Principles and Controversies was published more than a decade ago. Still the only book of its kind specifically addressing humic acid principles and controversies, the Second Edition presents the newest advances in humic acid science. Eleven new and rewritten chapters replace the original nine, with updated material representing modern humic acid chemistry. This includes the delineation of organic matter, humus, and humic matter. The book begins by considering organic matter as a whole, describing terrestrial and aquatic organic matter. It examines humus as a mixture of humified and nonhumified organic matter, focusing also on the importance of the nonhumified fraction plant biopolymers in their original or slightly decomposed forms as raw materials for formation of the humic fraction. The book then presents concepts of humic matter, referred to as humic acid, covering a range of ideas from traditional views of biopolymers to the latest concepts based on micellar, supramolecular, and nanotube chemistry. The author presents the major pathways of humification and discusses humification theories. He also examines the extraction, isolation, and fractionation of humic matter. The book reviews the chemical composition and model structures of humic acids, the chemical and spectroscopic characterization of humic substances, and the electrochemical properties of humic matter. It also addresses the agronomic, environmental, and industrial (including pharmaceutical) importance of humic matter. This revised and updated edition continues the tradition of providing comprehensive coverage of the genesis, extraction, properties, and impacts of humic matter."

Present in soil and water, humic substances are the most widespread organic compounds, naturally occurring from a physical, chemical, and microbiological transformation of biomolecules. They represent about 25% of the total organic carbon on the Earth and comprise up to 75% of the dissolved organic carbon in water, making them important for multiple environmental processes in both soil and aquatic systems. Despite many decades of extensive study, the formation mechanisms of humic substances are still a subject of discussion and controversy. This book examines the dynamics of humic substances, their physicochemical and biological properties, and methods for their extraction and characterization. The book also sheds light on recent advances and applications of humic substances in agriculture, environment, industry, and medicine.

"Because of its dynamic nature, labile organic matter is a key player in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Editors Zhongqi He and Fengchang Wu include contributions from more than 30 senior researchers and innovative junior investigators from six countries. With issue-oriented comprehensive reviews and problem-solving case studies, this collection brings together soil and aquatic scientists to provide a comprehensive understanding for managing the sources and fates of labile organic matter. A timely synthesis of recent research, this collection illustrates the remarkable range of advanced techniques and approaches for labile organic matter research. This book will serve as a valuable reference for university faculty, graduate students, soil scientists, ecologists, limnologists, marine scientists, environmental scientists, agricultural engineers, and any who work with various aspects of labile organic matter in the environment."

Advances in Agronomy has the highest impact factor among serial publications in agriculture. The Science Citation Index, 1986, reports an impact factor over 2,459 and a cited half-life over 10 years. Volume 75 contains four outstanding reviews dealing with phytoremediation, issues related to water use in China, humic substances, and remote sensing. Chapter 1 is an extensive review on phytoremediation of metals, metalloids, and radionuclides, including discussion on phytoextraction technologies, hyperaccumulator plants, chemically induced phytoextraction, and phytovolatilization. Chapter 2 covers the conservation and use of water in Chinese agriculture including engineering, economic, and agronomic aspects and considerations. Chapter 3 presents advances in understanding the structure of humic substances, particularly the concept of a supramolecular structure. Analytical and molecular scale evidence for this latter structure are presented as well as discussions on the role of humic superstructures in soils. Chapter 4 presents frontiers in quantitative remote sensing of soil properties including principles, methods, mechanisms, and limitations. - Volume 75 contains four outstanding reviews dealing with phytoremediation, issues related to water use in China, humic substances, and remote sensing - Chapter 1 is an extensive review on phytoremediation of metals, metalloids, and radionuclides, including discussion on phytoextraction technologies, hyperaccumulator plants, chemically induced phytoextraction, and phytovolatilization - Chapter 2 covers the conservation and use of water in Chinese agriculture including engineering, economic, and agronomic aspects and considerations - Chapter 3 presents advances in understanding the structure of humic substances, particularly the concept of a supramolecular structure. Analytical and molecular scale evidence for this latter structure are presented as well as discussions on the role of humic superstructures in soils - Chapter 4 presents frontiers in quantitative remote sensing of soil properties including principles, methods, mechanisms, and limitations

The present volumes contain selected papers in the fields of Environmental Chemistry and Biology; Environmental Materials; Environmental Safety and Health; Environmental Planning and Assessment; Environmental Analysis and Monitoring; Environmental Engineering; Pollution Control Projects (Air, Water, Solid); Waste Disposal and Recycling; Water Supply and Drainage Engineering; Sound, Noise and Vibration Control; Clean Production Processes; Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering; Architectural Environment & Equipment Engineering; Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Control; Environmental Protection; Cultivation and Conservation of Forest; Plant Protection and Biotechnology; Geographic Information and Remote Sensing Science; Land Resources Environment and Urban Planning. This up-to-date, comprehensive and worldwide state-of-the art knowledge will be of great value to anyone working in these fields.

Environmental Soil Chemistry illustrates fundamental principles of soil chemistry with respect to environmental reactions between soils and other natural materials and heavy metals, pesticides, industrial contaminants, acid rain, and salts. Timely and comprehensive discussions of applications to real-world environmental concerns are a central focus of this established text. - Provides students with both sound contemporary training in the basics of soil chemistry and applications to real-world environmental concerns - Timely and comprehensive discussion of important concepts including: sorption/desorption, oxidation-reduction of metals and organics, and effects of acidic deposition and salinity on contaminant reacions - Boxed sections focus on sample problems and explanations of key terms and parameters - Extensive tables on elemental composition of soils, rocks and sediments, pesticide classes, inorganic minerals, and methods of decontaminating soils - Clearly written for all students and professionals in environmental science and environmental engineering as well as soil science

This book addresses the interactions of soil minerals with organics and microbes and their impacts on the dynamics, transformations, and toxicity of metals, metalloids, other inorganics, and xenobiotics that affect land quality and ecosystem health. It is the result of the work group on "interactions of soil minerals with organic components and microorganisms" in the International Society of Soil Science.