Exploring Leonardite Humic Acid In Weathered Lignite

Introduction

In organic matter, humus plays a vital role in soil health, plant growth, and environmental processes. Among these substances, leonardite humic acid derived from weathered lignite occupies a special position due to its unique properties and applications. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at weathered humic acid from weathered lignite, exploring its formation, properties, uses, and environmental impacts.

What Is Weathered Lignite?

Weathered lignite is an oxidized form of lignite that has a brown and coal-like appearance. It is usually found shallowly above denser coal in coal mines. It is a coal with low carbon content and high moisture content. It is formed from peat over millions of years under moderate pressure and heat. Named after AG Leonard in recognition of his research contributions to the substance and humified organic matter, weathered coal contains 30-80% humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid. It can be used as an organic fertilizer or soil amendment.

What Is Leonardite Humic Acid?

Humic acid is often called the black gold of nature. It is an important component of humus in soil and organic matter. It is a complex organic substance with rich functional groups (such as carboxyl groups, phenolic hydroxyl groups, etc.). It is formed by gradually deleting plant and animal residues, resulting in complex organic molecules called humus. Lignite weathering plays an important role in the conversion of organic matter into humic acids. Humic acid used in fertilizers is usually derived from weathered lignite.

The Weathering Process Of Lignite

1. Oxidation: Lignite readily oxidizes when exposed to air and water, leading to the formation of carbon dioxide and water. Causes the decomposition of organic compounds in coal.

2. Microbial activity: Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi in the environment can multiply in lignite and promote lignite degradation through biological decomposition.

3. Leaching: Weathered lignite is usually produced by a leaching process in which soluble components are washed away by water, resulting in the loss of certain minerals or elements in the lignite matrix, changing the structure of the coal.

4. Physical Breakdown: Weathering causes the physical breakdown of lignite, causing fragmentation and reducing structural integrity.

5. Chemical changes: During weathering, lignite undergoes chemical transformations, leading to the formation of weathered lignite and the release of humic substances, including humic acid.

Characteristics Of Leonardite Humic Acid

1. Color: Due to the accumulation and oxidation of decomposition products, weathered humic acid is usually darker in color, has a higher molecular weight, and has a complex molecular structure.

2. Chemical composition: It contains various functional groups such as carboxyl, phenolic, and hydroxyl groups, which contribute to its reactivity and diverse applications.

3. Increased solubility: Weathered humic acid may have higher solubility in water due to structural changes caused by weathering.

4. Improve soil: Humic acid is a weak acid that helps regulate soil pH and nutrient utilization. At the same time, it promotes soil aggregation and enhances soil structure, water retention, and aeration.

5. Chelating properties: They have high cation exchange capacity (CEC), allowing them to retain and exchange essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Chelates, or combines with, metal ions to increase plant uptake of nutrients and reduce toxicity.

6. Biological activity: Humic acid stimulates microbial activity in the soil, helping to decompose organic matter and cycle nutrients.

Application Of Leonardite Humic Acid

Leonardite humic acid has wide applications in different fields due to its beneficial properties. Here are some of the main applications of humic acid:

Agriculture

Leonardite humic acid is used as a soil amendment to enhance soil structure, nutrient utilization, and moisture retention, which is particularly beneficial in arid areas. Additionally, it aids in soil aeration, promotes cell division, and increases photosynthesis, thereby promoting root development, seed germination, and overall plant growth. Improves fertilizer efficiency by improving plant uptake of nutrients. Humic acid promotes the transport of nutrients from the soil into plant cells, resulting in healthier, more productive crops. This is especially important for micronutrients, which are difficult for plants to absorb without the help of humus.

Animal feed additives

Humic acid feed additives can improve feed digestibility, treat gastrointestinal diseases, and enhance microcirculation. Make animal fur shiny and reduce fish and shrimp mortality. Improve disease prevention and resistance. It has obvious medical effects on the blood circulation system and endocrine function.

Environmental improvement

It is used in environmental remediation processes to remove heavy metals, pollutants, and contaminants from soil and water, helping to restore the environment. Assists in the restoration of degraded land by improving soil quality.

Industrial use

Weathered humic acid is used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and wastewater treatment due to its multifunctional properties and beneficial effects.

• Drilling Fluids: Used in the oil and gas industry to stabilize drilling fluids.
• Oil spill cleanup: Humic acid can help biodegrade oil spills in water bodies.
• Drug Delivery: Used in drug delivery systems due to its biocompatibility.

Conclusion

With its complex structure and multifunctional properties, leonardite humic acid plays an important role in agriculture, environmental remediation, animal husbandry, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications. Its ability to improve soil health, increase nutrient utilization, stimulate plant growth, and mitigate environmental pollution makes it a valuable resource across multiple industries. Khumic Co. is the largest humic acid manufacturer in China. The humic acid extracted from highly active weathered lignite can be used in plant growth, feed additives, and the pharmaceutical industry. The formula can be customized according to user needs!

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