Humus

A reference text focusing on basic organic chemistry and reactions of naturally occurring organic substances in soils. Covers pools of organic matter in soils, transformations, methods of extraction and fractionation. Section two deals primarily with the chemistry of known classes of organic compounds in soils including saccharides, lipids and constituents containing nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Section three is concerned with basic organic chemistry of humic substances, followed by the importance of organic matter associations and interactions. Contains new chapters on NMR spectroscopy, analytical pyrolysis and on chemical structures.

While researching in Nantes, a port city enriched by the slave trade, celebrated French novelist Fabienne Kanor came across a chilling report written in 1774 by the commander of a slave ship, Le Soleil. Captain Louis Mosnier recounted the loss of valuable "cargo" when fourteen African women escaped from the ship’s hold to leap overboard rather than face enslavement. Half of them drowned or were eaten by sharks. From this tragic incident, Kanor has composed a powerful, polyphonic novel in which each woman tells her own vivid story. Their disparate lives from differing cultures, conditions, and perspectives intersect through their violent mistreatment, profound sense of disorientation, and collective act of resistance. These intertwined narratives reveal the brutalizing effects of slavery, not only on the victim but also on the oppressor: the master can no more escape its dehumanizing effects than can the slave.

Humus is the most precious resource on earth. Our survival depends on it, and it is running out. Dramatic losses of fertile soils are caused mostly by human activities. But humans can also help regenerate humus. 'HUMUS, the black gold of the earth' is an invitation to become EarthKeepers. If we want to take care of Mother Earth, then we must get to know her better. What makes her come alive? What kind of food does the soil need? In what environment can the soil-population grow and thrive? These are some of the questions explored in this book. Everybody can do something to take care of our soils and keep the earth alive. It is easier than you might think.

This volume presents the proceedings of the 10th international symposium Humus et Planta held in Prague in August 19-23, 1991. The main topics of this book are devoted to the recent advances in fundamental, as well as applied research of humic substances, the most abundant of the naturally occuring macromolecules of nature, the understanding of their nature and how they react and interact in their natural environments. Texts are included on the structure, physical and chemical properties of humic substances; the relationships among humus, soil properties and fertility; the biotransformations of organic substances in the soil; the relationships between humic substances and plants and the interactions of humus and xenobiotic substances. This book presents recent knowledge of the complicated and challenging humic substances. It will be of interest not only to scientist, but also to University teachers and students of agricultural and environmental sciences.

The case for fertilizers; The case against fertilizers.