PROPERTIES OF HUMIC ACID FRACTIONS IN FOREST HUMUS LAYERS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Thirty-eight chemical and spectral characteristics were determined on humic acid (HA) fractions extracted successively with cold and hot 0.1 N NaOH from F and H horizons under six types of vegetative cover. Some HA properties were significantly affected by extract, with the hot alkali extraction yielding less aromatic and more immature HA fractions. HA properties were relatively unaffected by horizon of origin. Significant differences between sites were observed with respect to H%, S%, atomic H/C, total acidity, molecular weight distribution and IR absorption spectra. Correlation and multiple regression analysis indicated relationships between properties, and suggested that some spectral absorption characteristics may be predicted from chemical composition, and that certain features of composition, related to aromaticity, can be predicted from easily determined spectral characteristics.