SPECTROSCOPIC INVESTIGATIONS OF SOIL HUMIC AND FULVIC-ACIDS FROM OKCHON BASIN

Three humic acids (HA) and one fulvic acid (FA) are extracted from soi ls of the Okch'on Basin (Koyesan, Yongkwang and Taejon), and are purif ied and characterized using H-1, C-13 NMR, and IR spectroscopic method s. The results are compared with one another and with commercial humic acid (Aldrich Co) and aquatic humic acid from Gorlehen underground aq uifer in Germany. The IR and H-1 and (13)Cand 13C NMR spectral feature s are found to be nearly identical, suggesting that humic substances f ormed in the Okch'on Basin have quite similar chemical prperties. Thes e humic substances from Okch'on Basin soils have undergone low degree of aromatic condensation and have high contents of aliphatic functiona lities including carbohydrates.