Humic substances (humic and fulvic acid, for example), have been associated mostly with agriculture. They improve soil texture and water retention – think: compost. They are said to perform similarly to growth hormones, enhancing living cell metabolism and growth, and they act as chelating agents, meaning they can remove metals. OK so far, but then we find out where these particular acids come from.
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do we? please tell
ReplyDeleteHumates are sourced from weathered sub-bituminous coal or lignite. They range in quality and humic acid content based on their original formation. For example:
ReplyDeleteHumalite is sourced from a fresh water deposit where the humic acid content is 80 to 90% whilst Leonardite is sourced from salt water deposits where the quality ranges from 45% to 75% humic acid. Also, a lower humic acid content results in a higher ash content, resulting in more material required to have the desired effect.