CINÉTIQUE ET MÉCANISME DE L'HYDROLYSE ACIDE DE LA MATIÈRE ORGANIQUE D'UN SOL HUMIFÈRE DE MONTAGNE

Abstract

From the surface horizon of an organic-rich mountain soil, humic and fulvic acids, and organo-mineral compounds including clay and hydroxy-metal colloids, were separated and purified. Each of these fractions was hydrolyzed in 3.0 M HCl under reflux, then the reaction parameters related to the solubilization of carbon and nitrogen and to the kinetics of hydrolysis were calculated. Acid hydrolysis was interpreted as the result of two successive steps: first a rapid electrophilic attack of heteroatomic C-O and C-N bonds by protons, then a slow nucleophilic hydration of the protonated bonds. Electron delocalization in these bonds, which increased with the polycondensation degree of organic compounds, and with their adsoprtion on mineral surfaces, resulted in an increase in their stability to hydrolysis. Fulvic acids were found to be the less stable material, and lead to predominantly anionic hydrolysis products. Clay-sized humin was the most stable material and yielded mainly cationic hydrolysates. The stability to hydrolysis and the humification degree of organic matter in the fractions generally coincided, and decreased in the following order: fine clay-sized humin > alkali dispersible organo-mineral colloids > > humic acids > hydroxy-ferric organic colloids > hydroxy-aluminium organic colloids = fulvic acids. Key words: Organo-mineral complex, humic substances, acid hydrolysis, carbon, nitrogen