Phosphorus in humus acids

The distribution of phosphorus among humus acid groups in different soil types was studied. It was shown that the binding of P with acid-soluble and-insoluble organic components is determined by the acid-base status of soils, which controls the predominant interaction of P with Fe and Al or with Ca and Mg, and the solubility of the resulting organic phosphates in acid and alkali. The major part of P is associated with the group of humic acids (HAs) in the acid soils and with fulvic acids (FAs) in the neutral and calcareous soils. During the fractionation of organic matter from acid soils, the amount of P redistributed from the HA to the FA group can increase with an increasing acid or alkaline impact on the soil, which breaks the bonds of the phosphorus-bearing organic components with metals.