SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL AND COAL-DERIVED HUMATES:WITH BIBLIOGRAPHY

摘要

Initial studies of humic materials separated from lignitic coal oxidized under natural conditions or by laboratory treatment indicated a general similarity with the humus of fertile soils and suggested the possibility of their substitution for natural humus in soils poor in organic matter, shortening the time required to enhance the fertility of marginal or sub-marginal land. Field-scale studies, based on encouraging laboratory investigations, have recently begun in surface-mine spoils, and the preliminary results are outlined here. An up-dated bibliography covering related work in various parts of the world is appended for the convenience of other investigators interested in this application of coal byproducts.