The molecularly-uncharacterized component of nonliving organic matter in natural environments

Molecularly-uncharacterized organic matter comprises most reduced carbon in soils, sediments and natural waters. The origins, reactions and fates of t hese ubiquitous materials are relatively obscure, in large part because the rich vein of geochemical information that typically derives from detailed structural and stereochemical analysis is yet to be tapped. This discussion highlights current knowledge about the origins and characteristics of mole cularly uncharacterized organic matter in the environment and outlines poss ible means by which this structurally uncharted frontier might best be expl ored. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.