The impacts of oxytetracycline on humification during manure composting can be alleviated by adjusting initial moisture contents as illustrated by NMR

Oxytetracycline(OTC)residues have been found in soil and water,and they may pose potential risks to agricultural ecological environments.One of the most impactful ways for OTC to enter the soil and water environments is through excrement used as organic fertilizer.Therefore,it is important to remove OTC during manure composting and to understand the transformation of the organic materials during composting in the presence of OTC.In the present paper,chicken manure and wheat sawdust spiked with OTC were composted under different initial moisture contents(MC)to evaluate the degradation of OTC and changes of organic matter during the composting process.The MC has a significant effect on OTC degradation during composting.A higher MC of 65% was more conducive to OTC degradation(77.4%)and compost maturity compared to the lower MC.However,the higher MC of 65%could increase the ammonia volatilization by promoting nitrification compared to the lower MC.An increase in the initial MC could improve the composting temperature.NMR results illustrated that the presence of OTC could affect the internal transformation of aliphatics,and OTC inhibited compost humification.Thus,an initial MC of 55–65% can alleviate the impacts of OTC on humification during manure composting.

Degree of Humification in Fresh Litter from a Subtropical Mixed Plantation Forest in Southwest China

The humification degree of fresh litter directly controls the accumulation of soil humus derived from plant litter,but very little information on this process is available.Planted forests are well known to restrict soil fertility,which is often indicated by the soil humus level.In this study,fresh litter was collected during different plant phenological stages during 2016 and 2017 in a mixed plantation in Southwest China.The values of hue coefficientΔlogK(absorbance ratio of 400 nm and 600 nm on a logarithmic scale),optical density E4/E6(absorbance ratio of 400 nm and 600 nm)and A600/C(absorbance at 600 mm per mg of carbon per ml of extraction)and the concentration of extractable humus carbon(HC)were determined in four litter components(foliar,twigs,reproductive organs and miscellaneous)of the dominant species(Pterocarya stenoptera,Quercus acutissima,Cunninghamia lanceolata and Toxicodendron vernicifluum).All of the litter components exhibited obvious humification characteristics,and showed the highest concentration of extractable HC during the leaf maturation period.The miscellaneous and foliar litters showed greater humification than the other litter types.The components of Pterocarya stenoptera litter exhibited greater degrees of humification than those of the other species,with lowerΔlogK and E4/E6 values and higher A600/C values.The litter from coniferous and evergreen species showed lower humification than that from broad-leaf and deciduous species regardless of the litter component examined.The present results provide new insights into the management of plantations and theoretical data to accurately improve the quality of plantations and maintain soil fertility under a global change.

Formation and Changes of Humic Acid Properties during Peat Humification Process within Ombrotrophic Bogs

Studies of the living organic matter humification process are essential for understanding the carbon biogeochemical cycle. The aim of this study is to analyze relations between the properties of peat, peat humic acids and peat humification degree. The analysis has been done on samples of humic substances extracted from peat profiles in two ombrotrophic bogs and relations between peat age, decomposition and humification degree, botanical composition and properties of peat humic acids (elemental, functional composition) were studied. The found variability of peat properties is less significant than differences in the properties of peat-forming living matter, thus revealing the dominant impact of humification process on the properties of peat. Correspondingly, composition of peat humic acids is little affected by differences in the composition of precursor living organic material.

Feasible strategy for the nitrogen fixation and humification quality improvement by spent mushroom substrate as conditioning agent

There is an overlooked problem which increasing microbial abundance while reducing nitrogen loss during composting.This study investigated the viability of spent mushroom substrate(SMS)as conditioners in the aerobic composting of kitchen waste(KW)with cattle manure(CM).The variation of temperature,pH,C/N,organic matter,cellulose,hemicelluloses,germination index(GI),and microflora structure were explored to evaluate the potential in accelerating maturity and nitrogen fixation by SMS addition.The results showed that the addition of SMS accelerated the heating rate,prolonged the high temperature time,and decreased organic matter,hemicellulose,and cellulose by 17.49%,23.61%,and 18.62%,respectively.The GI reached 105.86%with SMS addition,while 74.17%was found in control treatment after composting.SMS changed the microbial community composition and increased the species abundance.Proteiniclasticum,Clostridium XI and Azomonas were dominant bacteria,which increased the retention of nitrogen,promoted organic matter degradation and reduce compost time.The study can provide a feasible strategy for nitrogen fixation in the field of organic waste recycling.

Lignin precursors enhance exolaccase-started humification of bisphenol A to form functional polymers

Humification plays a significant role in converting phenolic pollutants and forming heterogeneous polymers,but few studies have been performed to investigate exolaccase-started humification(ESH).Herein,the influences of lignin precursors(LPs)on exolaccase-induced bisphenol A(BPA)removal and humification were explored.In particular,the architectural features and botanical effects of the formed humification products were also tested.ESH was extremely beneficial in boosting BPA removal in the presence of LPs.Compared with LP-free(58.49%),100%of BPA was eliminated after the reaction with ESH for 72 h.Such a process was controlled by an exolaccasecaused random assembly of radicals,which generated a large number of hydrophobic polymers through nonspecific covalent binding of C–C and/or C–O.These humified polymers were extremely stable at pH 2.0–10.0 and20℃ to 80℃ and displayed unique functions,i.e.,scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl/2,20-azinobis3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radicals and exerted antioxidant capacities.More importantly,the functional polymers could act as auxin analogs to increase the germination index(>100%),plant biomass,and salt tolerance of radish seedlings.Our findings disclosed that ESH could not only be optimized to mitigate the ecological risks of phenolic pollutants and sequester organic carbon in environmental bioremediation,but the resulting abundant auxin analogs also contributed to agricultural productivity.

Mechanism of oxidation and catalysis of organic matter abiotic humification in the presence of MnO_2

Humification plays a critical role in the environmental fate of organic wastes, and MnO_2 holds great promise for enhancing this reaction. However, the effects of MnO_2 on the enhancement of the humification reaction remain ambiguous. To better reveal the mechanism by which MnO_2 enhances the reaction and investigate the fate of the humification products, abiotic humification experiments were performed using increasing concentrations of dissolved organic matter(DOM) to a fixed amount of MnO_2. DOM was represented by model humic precursors consisting of catechol, glucose and glycine. The results indicate that the reduction of MnO_2 played a dominant role in the formation of fulvic-like acids(FLAs), and the subsequent reduction products, MnOOH and Mn(II), acted as catalysts in the formation of humic-like acids(HLAs). Moreover, CO_2 release occurred during the formation of FLAs, and a strong linear correlation between CO_2 release and the formation of FLAs was observed(p < 0.01), where 0.73–1.87 mg of CO_2 was released per mg dissolved organic carbon(DOC)FLAs. Furthermore, the concentration of MnO_2 had a pronounced influence on the product behavior, where a lower MnO_2 concentration decreased the quantity of FLAs produced.

Investigating the spectral characteristic and humification degree of dissolved organic matter in saline-alkali soil using spectroscopic techniques

Soil samples were collected from the areas surrounding Wuliangsuhai Lake in China. Dissolved organic matter （DOM） was extracted from the samples and characterized by fluorescence and UV-Vis spectra. Spectral properties and humification degree of DOM were studied. The results indicated that both humic- and protein- like fluorophores were present in the DOM spectra, and the former was the dominant component. The analysis of humification （HIX） and r （A, C） indices revealed that the maximum humification degree in three agricultural soils （AAF, ASC, and ASW） was presented in the second soil layer （20-40 cm）. However, the humification degree of the two Halophytes soils （SSE and GKF） decreased with increasing depth. One index, I344/270, showed that humification degree increased gradually with an increasing proportion of humic-like acid. There was a significant positive correlation between humification degree （HIX） and aromaticity （SUVA254）, indicating that a higher aromaticity corresponded to a higher humification degree. Land use was an important factor responsible for the major difference of cation exchange capacity （CEC） in different soils, which led to a higher CEC value in the second soil layer for the three agricultural soils. CEC values and humification degree had the same trend for all five soils. The correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between HIX and CEC,and a negative correlation between the r （A, C） index and CEC, indicating that humification degree increases gradually with increasing CEC values.

Humification characterization of biochar and its potential as a composting amendment

Biochar has received increasing attention due to its applications as a soil amendment. Here, the chemical properties of solid and water-extractable fractions of four biochar samples were investigated. The results showed that wood biochar and bamboo biochar samples were 60%-80% more hydrophobic than those of rice husk biochar and rice husk ash. In addition, the acidity was 3.88 mmol/g from the total functional groups and 1.03 mmol/g from the carboxyl groups/lactones/phenols found in the wood biochar sample, which were about 1.5 times greater than those of the bamboo biochar sample. These functional groups could be used to determine the sorptive capacity of biochar for ionic solutes and water content and to increase the degradation of compost organics. The wood biochar sample was found to have the most humification materials （fulvic acid-like material ＋ humic acid-like material） in the water-extractable fraction, which was 3-10 times higher than that in the rice husk biochar and rice husk ash; humified materials were not detected in the bamboo biochar sample. Humification materials in biochar may be involved in increasing the proportion of humic acid-like materials in humic-like substances within the compost product. Wood biochar had better hydrophobic, sorptive, aromatic, and humification properties compared to other biochars, suggesting that it may be used in composting in order to exert its effect as both a bulking agent and a composting amendment during the solid waste composting process.

Transport and humification of dissolved organic matter within a semi-arid floodplain

In order to understand the transport and humification processes of dissolved organic matter（DOM） within sediments of a semi-arid floodplain at Rifle,Colorado,fluorescence excitation–emission matrix（EEM） spectroscopy,humification index（HIX） and specific UV absorbance（SUVA） at 254 nm were applied for characterizing depth and seasonal variations of DOM composition.Results revealed that late spring snowmelt leached relatively fresh DOM from plant residue and soil organic matter down into the deeper vadose zone（VZ）.More humified DOM is preferentially adsorbed by upper VZ sediments,while non-or lesshumified DOM was transported into the deeper VZ.Interestingly,DOM at all depths undergoes rapid biological humification process evidenced by the products of microbial by-product-like（i.e.,tyrosine-like and tryptophan-like） matter in late spring and early summer,particularly in the deeper VZ,resulting in more humified DOM（e.g.,fulvic-acid-like and humic-acid-like substances） at the end of year.This indicates that DOM transport is dominated by spring snowmelt,and DOM humification is controlled by microbial degradation,with seasonal variations.It is expected that these relatively simple spectroscopic measurements（e.g.,EEM spectroscopy,HIX and SUVA） applied to depth-and temporally-distributed pore-water samples can provide useful insights into transport and humification of DOM in other subsurface environments as well.

Effect of four crop straws on transformation of organic matter during sewage sludge composting

A 45-d laboratory experiment was conducted to compare the effect of four crop straws on the transformations of organic matter （OM） during composting of sewage sludge. The four crop straws included rape straw, wheat straw, maize straw and rice straw. The following parameters such as temperature, OM, humic-like substances （HS）, fulvic-like acids （FA） and humic-like acids （HA） were determined. The degradation of OM and the formation of HS and HA could be described well by the first-order kinetic model, while the FA content fluctuated during composting. The maximal degradation rates of OM in the compost piles added with rape straw, wheat straw, maize straw and rice straw were 34.7, 46.9, 54.7 and 52.8%, respectively, and the final contents of HS were 118, 128, 141 and 134 g kg-1, respectively, while the humification indices were higher in the compost piles added with maize straw and wheat straw than in those with rice straw and rape straw. The results indicate that a higher hemicellulose content and a lower C/N ratio in crop straw can result in a higher rate of OM degradation and higher contents of HS, while a higher content of lignin can lead to a higher polymerization degree of humic substances in compost piles. The final compost piles added with maize straw has the highest contents of OM, total nitrogen and humus substance as well as the highest values of polymerization degree, while compost piles with rape straw have the highest potassium content and those with rice straw have the highest pH values.

Investigation of seasonal variability of CDOM fluorescence in the southern Changjiang River Estuary by EEM-PARAFAC

The southern Changjiang River Estuary has attracted considerable attention from marine scientists because it is a highly biologically active area and is biogeochemically significant. Moreover, land-ocean interactions strongly impact the estuary, and harmful algal blooms （HABs） frequently occur in the area. In October 2010 and May 2011, water samples of chromophoric dissolved organic matter （CDOM） were collected from the southern Changjiang River Estuary. Parallel factor analysis （PARAFAC） was used to assess the samples＇ CDOM composition using excitation-emission matrix （EEM） spectroscopy. Four components were identified： three were humic-like （C1, C2 and C3） and one was protein-like （C4）. Analysis based on spatial and seasonal distributions, as well as relationships with salinity, Chl a and apparent oxygen utilization （AOU）, revealed that terrestrial inputs had the most significant effect on the three humic-like Components C1, C2 and C3 in autumn. In spring, microbial processes and phytoplankton blooms were also important factors that impacted the three components. The protein-like Component C4 had autochthonous and allochthonous origins and likely represented a biologically labile component. CDOM in the southern Changjiang River Estuary was mostly affected by terrestrial inputs. Microbial processes and phytoplankton blooms were also important sources of CDOM, especially in spring. The fluorescence intensities of the four components were significantly higher in spring than in autumn. On average, C1, C2, C3, C4 and the total fluorescence intensity （TFI） in the surface, middle and bottom layers increased by 123%-242%, 105%-195%, 167%-665%, 483%-567% and 184%-245% in spring than in autumn, respectively. This finding corresponded with a Chl a concentration that was 16-20 times higher in spring than in autumn and an AOU that was two to four times lower in spring than in autumn. The humification index （HIX） was lower in spring that in autumn, and the fluorescence index （FI） was higher in spring than in autumn. This result indicated that the CDOM was labile and the biological activity was intense in spring.

High-resolution patterns of palaeoenvironmental changes during the Little Ice Age and the Medieval Climate Anomaly in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula

to identify plant macrofossils,estimate peat humification and calculate hydroclimatic indices based on current bog species,with the overall aim of determining the climate conditions associated with evolution of the bog during the Medieval Climate Anomaly and the Little Ice Age.These proxies,together with historical and climate data,proved to be good indicators of the changes in bog surface wetness.Analysis:of the core led to identification of 9 different periods:two corresponding to the so-called Medieval Climate Anomaly(930 to 1345 AD,1075–665 calibrated years before present[cal.yr BP]);four corresponding to the Little Ice Age(1345 to 1905 AD;665–105 cal yr BP);and three corresponding to the last century(1905 to 2000 AD).The findings revealed a generally dry climate that lasted until the 14th century,followed by a transition to a long period with a more humid,but characteristically very variable climate,which ended at the beginning of the 20th century and was followed by a rapid transition to more humid conditions and finally,a change to drier conditions.The Medieval Climate Anomaly was indicated by the abundance of dry-adapted mosses(Leucobryum glaucum,Hypnum cupressiforme)and characterized by warm dry conditions and high levels of peat humification,with alternating wet phases.The LIA period was dated by a large abundance of Sphagnum species(an indicator of wetness)and a gradual increase in the humification index.However,four different climate phases were differentiated in this period.High-resolution reconstruction of the evolution of the CVM bog and the multiproxy approach have together enabled a more detailed identification of climatic variations in this area,which are generally consistent with the global models,as well as better definition of the elusive climatic oscillations in the last millennium and confirmation of the importance of local modulation of global models.The study provides new information and a detailed chronology of climatic events that will help to refine local modulation of the climate evolution model in the still quite unexplored region of the NW Iberian Peninsula,a key area for understanding the paleoclimatic dynamics in SW Europe.

Phosphorus fertilization alters complexity of paddy soil dissolved organic matter

The structural complexity of soil dissolved organic matter(DOM)may reflect soil biogeochemical processes due to its spectral characteristics.However,the features of DOM structural complexity in paddy soil amended with long-term chemical P fertilization are still unclear,which may limit understanding of nutrient-related soil C cycle.We collected soil samples from field experiments receiving application of 0,30,60,and 90 kg P ha–1 yr–1 to assess the effect of exogenous P on the complexity of soil DOM structure.Three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence analysis and enzymatic activity assay were used to determine the features of soil DOM molecular structure and the associated microbial reactions.The results showed that P input increased the biodegradability of DOM,indicating by the increased lower molecular weight components and decreased humic degree in the DOM.P input also reduced the structural complexity of DOM with blue shifts of fluorescent signals.The fluorescence index andβ/αindex of DOM increased with increasing P application by 4–5%and 3–11%,respectively,while humification index decreased by 8–13%.The P input increased the abundance of bacteria and fungi by 34–167%and 159–964%,respectively,while 29–54%increments were found for theβ-1,4-glucosidase activities.These results implicated that P fertilization accelerated the soil DOM cycle,although the structural complexity of DOM declined,which potentially benefits soil C sequestration in paddy fields and may be a C sequestration mechanism in the P-dependent paddy.

Impact of Management Practices on Water Extractable Organic Carbon and Nitrogen from 12-Year Poultry Litter Amended Soils

Water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) and nitrogen (WEON) are two key parameters of soil water extractable organic matter (WEOM). Proper management of manure application rate in combination with tillage and cropping management could maintain appropriate WEOC and WEON concentrations in soils while decreasing the risk of their runoff from cropland and pastures. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of poultry litter (PL) application on WEOC and WEON in soils under different crops, tillage regimes, and grazing strategies. From 2001 to 2012, PL was applied at multiple rates to cultivated fields in a corn-oat/wheat-hay rotation or to pastures grazed by cattle or ungrazed. Soil samples (0 - 15 cm) were analyzed for KCl-extractable mineral N, and WEOC, and WEON contents. In addition, Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and fluorescence spectroscopies were used to characterize WEOC stability. Organic N levels were higher at the high PL application rates. The soil C:N ratio narrowed as the PL application rate increased. However, the soil from pastures which received PL tended to have a wider range of C:N ratios than soil from the cultivated fields, despite identical PL application rates. The spectral analyses indicated that WEOC properties were responsive to management and PL application rate;therefore, this parameter may be used as a guide to provide best management strategy for manure application.

Quantitative and qualitative changes of humus in whole soils and their particle size fractions as influenced by different levels of compost application

Effect of long-term application (ca. 30 years) of compost at different levels on humus composi-tion of whole soils and their particle size frac-tions in a field subjected mainly to double cropping (barley and paddy rice) was investi-gated. Soil samples were collected from three plots of different types of management: (a) F plot, only chemical fertilizers containing N, P and K were applied;(b) F+LC plot, both chemi-cal fertilizers and a low level of compost were applied;(c) F+HC plot, both chemical fertilizers and a high level of compost were applied (the amount of compost applied in the F+HC plot was three times larger than that applied in the F+LC plot). Each soil sample was divided into coarse sand- (CSA), medium sand-(MSA) and fine sand-(FSA) sized aggregate, silt-sized ag-gregate (SIA) and clay-sized aggregate (CLA) fractions by wet-sieving and sedimentation. In addition, the CSA and MSA fractions were sub-divided into “mineral particles” (MP) and “de-cayed plants” (DP) by a density fractionation. Humus composition was influenced depending upon the level of compost applied. The applica-tion induced an increase in the amounts of total humus (TH), humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) in the whole soil and many size fractions, par-ticularly, SIA fraction. The increase was re-markable in the F+HC plot. In the CSA and MSA fractions, the amounts of TH, HA and FA were much larger in the CSA- and MSA-DP fractions than in the CSA- and MSA-MP fractions. The amounts of TH, HA and FA in the SIA fraction were larger than those in the CLA fraction for the F+HC and F+LC plots, and the reverse was true for the F plot. On the other hand, the de-grees of humification of humic acids in whole soils and many size fractions, particularly SIA fraction, decreased by compost application. The decrease was markedly in the F+HC plot. These findings suggest that the SIA fraction play an important role in the quantitative and qualitative changes of humus, including HA and FA, as in-fluenced by a long-term compost application.

Preliminary study on treatment of waste organic matter from livestock by bacteria-mineral technology

The present study dealt with relationships between the degradation and humification process that the organic matter underwent during bacteria-mineral technology. An inverse correlation was found between the protein, lipid, and some of the humification indices considered, suggesting that the humification theory is actually humic substances produced from simple-structured natural organic substrates. Weight-average molecular weight （Mw）, number-average molecular weight （Mn）, and the ratio Mw/Mn of dissolved organic matters at different stages of the process were measured by gel permeation chromatography. The results showed that Mn and Mw increased with reaction time from 352 to 17,191, and from 78,707 to 104,564, respectively. The ratio of Mn/Mw decreased from 223.3 to 6.1. This reflected the growth of the polymerization degree of dissolvable organic matters in the process; furthermore, it indicated the formation of complex molecules （humic substances） from more simple molecules. Bacteria-mineral water （BMW） （the effluent of the process） treatments can exert hormone-like activity for enhanced seed germination of wheat and rice and greatly improved chlorophyll synthesis in wheat and rice leaves, Major polyamines （plant regulators） putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, were found in BMW by a high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） method, which may explain the hormone-like activity of BMW.

Soil carbon characterization along the profile of two forest soils under Quercus pyrenaica

In light of concerns over climate change and increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere,it is of importance to investigate soil organic matter in Mediterranean forests at a profile scale.In-depth studies of the organic fraction are also of interest to improve understanding of carbon balance and to facilitate modelling of carbon fixation in forest soils.This research evaluates the relationships between diverse parameters such as colour,content,and form of soil organic matter(SOM).Two Quercus pyrenica ecosystems with soils classified as inceptisols with a xeric or dry moisture regime,and developed under a Mediterranean climate in Spain,were used to characterize SOM through the complete sequence of layers of the soil profile.The differentiating factor between the two ecosystems was slope gradient.Characterization was done using characteristics of humic substances(HS)as indicators of SOM turnover in inceptisols.Infrared analysis was used to further characterize the humic acids.As soil colour measurements are a tool for soil type classification and soil organic carbon prediction,the relation between HS colour measured by reflection and by transmission was determined in order to establish a relationship between measurement techniques.Infrared analysis and colour provided evidence of a different level of stabilization of HS from both soils,and between the different horizons.Oxidation of humic acids was found to be greater in deeper horizons than in the surface layers.An inverse relationship between HS colour measured by reflection and by transmission was revealed.Both soils showed a clear trend in which horizons presenting lower absorbance numbers showed higher figures of hue and value.A more marked accumulation of humified compounds was found in pedons,(the smallest unit or volume of soil that contains all the soil types),in the less steep slope.This might be explained in terms of the physiographic position affecting infiltration behavior and exposure to runoff.

The changes in soil organic carbon stock and quality across a subalpine forest successional series

Soil organic carbon(SOC)affects the function of terrestrial ecosystem and plays a vital role in global carbon cycle.Yet,large uncertainty still existed regarding the changes in SOC stock and quality with forest succession.Here,the stock and quality of SOC at 1-m soil profile were investigated across a subalpine forest series,including shrub,deciduous broad-leaved forest,broadleaf-conifer mixed forest,middle-age coniferous forest and mature coniferous forest,which located at southeast of Tibetan Plateau.The results showed that SOC stock ranged from 9.8 to29.9 kg·m^(-2),and exhibited a hump-shaped response pattern across the forest successional series.The highest and lowest SOC stock was observed in the mixed forest and shrub forest,respectively.The SOC stock had no significant relationships with soil temperature and litter stock,but was positively correlated with wood debris stock.Meanwhile,the average percentages of polysaccharides,lignins,aromatics and aliphatics based on FTIR spectroscopy were 79.89%,0.94%,18.87%and 0.29%,respectively.Furthermore,the percentage of polysaccharides exhibited an increasing pattern across the forest successional series except for the sudden decreasing in the mixed forest,while the proportions of lignins,aromatics and aliphatics exhibited a decreasing pattern across the forest successional series except for the sudden increasing in the mixed forest.Consequently,the humification indices(HIs)were highest in the mixed forest compared to the other four successional stages,which means that the SOC quality in mixed forest was worse than other successional stages.In addition,the SOC stock,recalcitrant fractions and HIs decreased with increasing soil depth,while the polysaccharides exhibited an increasing pattern.These findings demonstrate that the mixed forest had higher SOC stock and worse SOC quality than other successional stages.The high proportion of SOC stock(66%at depth of 20-100 cm)and better SOC quality(lower HIs)indicate that deep soil have tremendous potential to store SOC and needs more attention under global chan ge.

Characterization and variation of dissolved organic matter in composting: a critical review

As the most motive organic fraction in composting,dissolved organic matter(DOM)can contribute to the transfer and dispersal of pollutants and facilitate the global carbon cycle in aquatic ecosystems.However,it is still unclear how composting approaches and conditions influence the properties of compost-derived DOM.Further details on the shift of DOM character indexes are required.In this study,the change in properties of compost-derived DOM at different composting approaches and the effect of composting conditions on the DOM characteristics are summarized.Thereafter,the change in DOM character indexes’in composting was comprehensively reviewed.Along with composting,the elements and spectral properties(chromophoric DOM(CDOM)and fluorescent DOM(FDOM))were altered,size and hydrophobicity increased,and aromatic-C and electron transfer capacity were promoted.Finally,some prospects to improve this study were put forward.This paper should facilitate the people who have an interest in tracing the fate of DOM in composting.

Are humic substances soil microbial residues or unique synthesized compounds?A perspective on their distinctiveness

Humic substances(HS),which are defined as a series of highly acidic,relatively high-molecular-weight,and yellow to black colored substances formed during the decay and transformation of plant and microbial remains,ubiquitously occur in nature.Humic substances represent the largest stable organic carbon pool in terrestrial environments and are the central characteristic of the soil.However,the validity of the HS concept and the justification of their extraction procedure have been recently debated.Here,we argue that the traditional humic paradigm is still relevant.Humic substances are distinctive and complex because the extracted HS formed during the humification are chemically distinct from their precursors and are heterogeneous among soils.By reviewing the concept,formation pathways,and stabilization of HS,we propose that the key question facing soil scientists is whether HS are soil microbial residues or unique synthesized compounds.Without revealing the distinctiveness of HS,it is impossible to address this question,as the structure,composition,and reactivity of HS are still poorly known owing to the heterogeneity and geographical variability of HS and the limits of the currently available analytical techniques.In our view,the distinctiveness of HS is fundamental to the soil,and thus further studies should be focused on revealing the distinctiveness of HS and explaining why HS hold this distinctiveness.