Properties of humic acids of Arctic tundra soils in Spitsbergen

Abstract

On the basis of elemental composition, optical properties in the visible region, infrared spectra and thermal analysis (TG, DTG, DTA), humic acids of tundra soils in Spitsbergen are found to be more similar to fulvic acids than to humic acids of soils from other soil-climatic zones. The authors claim that it results from climatic conditions (low temperature, considerable humidity, alternation of freezing and thawing) and specific biochemical com­ position of tundra plants (predominance of plants devoid of lignin) which constitute substratum of the studied humic acids.