Methodological aspects of fractionation of humus substances

Abstract

The separation of humus as a nonadditive entity comprising an indefinite multitude of high-molecular substances differing in molecular weight and chemical heterogeneity into homogeneous fractions is discussed, with the developed procedure of fractional dissolution as an example. The problem of humus fractionation is theoretically solvable, but kinetic limitations make it unfeasible under laboratory conditions because of long duration. Epistemological aspects of the problem are discussed. Copyright © 2004 by MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica" (Russia).