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Ultraviolet Irradiation of Dilute Fulvic Acid Solutions
Author(s) -
Chen Y.,
Khan S. U.,
Schnitzer M.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1978.03615995004200020018x
Subject(s) - chemistry , fulvic acid , aqueous solution , irradiation , decomposition , ultraviolet , ultraviolet irradiation , sulfate , inorganic chemistry , nuclear chemistry , organic chemistry , humic acid , fertilizer , physics , quantum mechanics , nuclear physics
Dilute aqueous fulvic acid (FA) solutions were exposed to UV irradiation for various lengths of time at pH 3.5, 7.0, and 11.0. The rate of photo‐oxidation of FA was pH dependent, increasing with increase in pH. In acid solution most of the FA appeared to be oxidized to CO 2 + H 2 O. Organic S was converted to inorganic sulfate. Under neutral and alkaline conditions, organic C was oxidized to inorganic carbonate. About 90% of the initial FA was decomposed by UV irradiation. Only the most stable components, which were benzenecarboxylic and allphatic n ‐fatty acids, resisted decomposition. Phenolic acids, the chromophores responsible for the color of FA, were destroyed. Ultraviolet irradiation could be used as a degradative method if one is interested in isolating and identifying the most stable FA components only.