ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Brazilian soils
;
Fungal melanins
;
Soil humic acid
;
Infrared analysis
;
Latosols
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Summary Humic acids from two Brazilian topsoils under savanna grassland and five soil fungal melanins were characterized by elemental, functional group and infrared analysis. C, N, total acidity, COOH, and phenolic OH contents were within the ranges reported for several other fungal melanins and soil humic acids. Compared with the soil humic acids, the infrared spectra of the fungal melanins showed greater detail, indicative of higher aliphaticity. They were similar to the type III infrared spectra of humic acids, which are characteristically high in proteinaceous material and polysaccharides. The infrared spectra of the humic acids from the two Brazilian soils studied were classified as type I, which includes most soil humic acids. Notwithstanding the greater detail, in some areas the fungal melanin spectra were similar to those reported for other fungal melanins and humic acids of different origins. The probable contribution of the melanic fungi to the formation of soil humic polymers is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00336128
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