Methods for Obtaining Humus Substances: Advantages and Disadvantages

The paper reviews the patent descriptions of methods for obtaining humic substances and the procedures used in their industrial production. Selected humus substances, obtained using three different methods, were also examined. In the first one, humic substances were obtained due to the hydrolytic-ox...

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Main Authors: Anna M. Anielak, Renata Świderska-Dąbrowska, Dominika Łomińska-Płatek, Tomasz Dąbrowski, Krzysztof Piaskowski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2463
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author Anna M. Anielak
Renata Świderska-Dąbrowska
Dominika Łomińska-Płatek
Tomasz Dąbrowski
Krzysztof Piaskowski
author_facet Anna M. Anielak
Renata Świderska-Dąbrowska
Dominika Łomińska-Płatek
Tomasz Dąbrowski
Krzysztof Piaskowski
author_sort Anna M. Anielak
collection DOAJ
description The paper reviews the patent descriptions of methods for obtaining humic substances and the procedures used in their industrial production. Selected humus substances, obtained using three different methods, were also examined. In the first one, humic substances were obtained due to the hydrolytic-oxidative decomposition of lignosulfonate. The second one consists of alkaline extraction from brown coal. According to the third, humus substances were extracted from digested sewage sludge. In the obtained humus substances, molecular composition, inorganic impurities, IR spectrum, gravimetric analysis, and the % shares of fulvic and humic acids were determined. The physico-chemical properties of the tested substances were also assessed. Based on the study’s results, the advantages and disadvantages of the obtained humus substances were determined, and methods for their modification to improve utility values were provided. Research on humic substances is a very important issue, especially concerning improving soil management and developing sustainable agricultural practices. They are key in improving soil structure and increasing its capacity to retain water and essential nutrients such as N, P, K, S, Ca, and Mg. In addition, humic substances are an important store of carbon in soils, which is important in the context of climate change.
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spelling doaj-art-a4ac395c61bb4b278375d51617d21a5b2025-08-20T02:53:19ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-02-01155246310.3390/app15052463Methods for Obtaining Humus Substances: Advantages and DisadvantagesAnna M. Anielak0Renata Świderska-Dąbrowska1Dominika Łomińska-Płatek2Tomasz Dąbrowski3Krzysztof Piaskowski4Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, PolandFaculty of Civil Engineering, Environmental and Geodetic Sciences, Koszalin University of Technology, Śniadeckich 2, 74-453 Koszalin, PolandFaculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, PolandFaculty of Civil Engineering, Environmental and Geodetic Sciences, Koszalin University of Technology, Śniadeckich 2, 74-453 Koszalin, PolandFaculty of Civil Engineering, Environmental and Geodetic Sciences, Koszalin University of Technology, Śniadeckich 2, 74-453 Koszalin, PolandThe paper reviews the patent descriptions of methods for obtaining humic substances and the procedures used in their industrial production. Selected humus substances, obtained using three different methods, were also examined. In the first one, humic substances were obtained due to the hydrolytic-oxidative decomposition of lignosulfonate. The second one consists of alkaline extraction from brown coal. According to the third, humus substances were extracted from digested sewage sludge. In the obtained humus substances, molecular composition, inorganic impurities, IR spectrum, gravimetric analysis, and the % shares of fulvic and humic acids were determined. The physico-chemical properties of the tested substances were also assessed. Based on the study’s results, the advantages and disadvantages of the obtained humus substances were determined, and methods for their modification to improve utility values were provided. Research on humic substances is a very important issue, especially concerning improving soil management and developing sustainable agricultural practices. They are key in improving soil structure and increasing its capacity to retain water and essential nutrients such as N, P, K, S, Ca, and Mg. In addition, humic substances are an important store of carbon in soils, which is important in the context of climate change.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2463humus substancesfulvic acidshumic acidsindustrial humus acidshumus production
spellingShingle Anna M. Anielak
Renata Świderska-Dąbrowska
Dominika Łomińska-Płatek
Tomasz Dąbrowski
Krzysztof Piaskowski
Methods for Obtaining Humus Substances: Advantages and Disadvantages
Applied Sciences
humus substances
fulvic acids
humic acids
industrial humus acids
humus production
title Methods for Obtaining Humus Substances: Advantages and Disadvantages
title_full Methods for Obtaining Humus Substances: Advantages and Disadvantages
title_fullStr Methods for Obtaining Humus Substances: Advantages and Disadvantages
title_full_unstemmed Methods for Obtaining Humus Substances: Advantages and Disadvantages
title_short Methods for Obtaining Humus Substances: Advantages and Disadvantages
title_sort methods for obtaining humus substances advantages and disadvantages
topic humus substances
fulvic acids
humic acids
industrial humus acids
humus production
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2463
work_keys_str_mv AT annamanielak methodsforobtaininghumussubstancesadvantagesanddisadvantages
AT renataswiderskadabrowska methodsforobtaininghumussubstancesadvantagesanddisadvantages
AT dominikałominskapłatek methodsforobtaininghumussubstancesadvantagesanddisadvantages
AT tomaszdabrowski methodsforobtaininghumussubstancesadvantagesanddisadvantages
AT krzysztofpiaskowski methodsforobtaininghumussubstancesadvantagesanddisadvantages