LIFE AFTER DEATH - LIGNIN-HUMIC RELATIONSHIPS REEXAMINED

In the last decade, application of modern degradative and nondegradati ve analysis techniques to both lignin of living plants and humic subst ances of soil has demonstrated characteristic similarities in the stru ctures of these two types of natural polymers. Recognition of the simi larities resulted in a revival of an earlier hypothesis concerning the genesis of soil organic matter from the aromatic parts of wood and no nwoody plants. The hypothesis assumes functionalization and restructur ing but not complete depolymerization of lignin during its biotransfor mation into humic and fulvic acids in the environment. The biotransfor mation process results in the preservation of certain structural featu res during the humification of dead plants. A genetic approach is usef ul in the analyses of structure, morphology, and chemical reactivity o f humic substances.