Elemental,functional group and infrared spectroscopic analysis of actinomycete melanins from brazilian soils

Eleven actinomycete melanins were characterized by elemental and functional group and infrared analysis. A soil humic acid from a Brazilian topsoil, a darkred latosol under savanna grassland, analysed previously, was used for comparative purposes. C, N, total acidity, COOH, and phenolic OH contents were within the ranges reported for soil humic acids and fungal melanins. Compared to the soil humic acid, the actinomycete melanins showed greater detail, indicative of higher aliphaticity. Most of these were, in varying degrees, similar to the type III IR spectra of humic acids, which are characteristically high in proteinaceous material, and with variable amounts of polysaccharides. The exceptions were two melanin spectra that showed more resemblance to the humic acid from the dark-red latosol, which belongs to the type I spectra of soil humic acids, a category that includes most soil humic acids. The probable participation of melanic actinomycetes in the formation of humic polymers in discussed.     

Amino sugars in fungal melanins and soil humic acids

Humic acids from six Brazilian topsoils (three Latosols and three Podzols) and five soil fungal melanins were hydrolysed and the released amino sugars qualitatively and quantitatively determined by capillary gas-liquid chromatography. Melanins were obtained from liquid culture media, synthesized with nitrate or asparagine as a source of N, of Stachybotrys atra, Aspergillus glaucus, Eurotium echinulatum and Hendersonula toruloidea. Glucosamine (48–60%), galactosamine (39–52%), and traces of mannosamine were detected in all humic acids. The total amino sugar content ranged from 1351 to 2287 mg kg^?1. In the fungal melanins analysed, mostly glucosamine (80–99%) and trace to small amounts of galactosamine and mannosamine (<10%) were found in amounts ranging from 192 to 635 mg kg^?1. The Occurrence of mannosamine in fungal melanins and fungal polysaccharides had not previously been found. The present study gives additional data to the theory that fungal melanins may play a role, as precursors, in the formation of soil organic matter.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic evidence for copper porphyrin in actinomycete melanins

The coordination chemistry of iron (III) (Fe³⁺) and copper (II) (Cu²⁺) in melanins synthesized by seven actinomycetes isolated from Brazilian latosol soils under savanna (cerrado) vegetation was investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The EPR spectra indicated the presence of Cu²⁺ ions bound to oxygenated and nitrogenous functional groups, and rhombic coordinated Fe³⁺ ions. In some of the actinomycete melanins the EPR hyperfine splitting of Cu⁺² ion complexes was well resolved, and indicated four magnetically equivalent nitrogen atoms in a plane. This result suggested the presence of Cu⁺² porphyrin complexes, which was confirmed by Soret bands in the 400-nm region of the UV-Vis spectra. The concentration of Mn in actinomycete melanins, determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, was lower than those of Cu and Fe. Received: 9 April 1997     

Characterization of fungal melanins and soil humic acids by chemical analysis and infrared spectroscopy

Summary Humic acids from two Brazilian topsoils under savanna grassland and five soil fungal melanins were characterized by elemental, functional group and infrared analysis. C, N, total acidity, COOH, and phenolic OH contents were within the ranges reported for several other fungal melanins and soil humic acids. Compared with the soil humic acids, the infrared spectra of the fungal melanins showed greater detail, indicative of higher aliphaticity. They were similar to the type III infrared spectra of humic acids, which are characteristically high in proteinaceous material and polysaccharides. The infrared spectra of the humic acids from the two Brazilian soils studied were classified as type I, which includes most soil humic acids. Notwithstanding the greater detail, in some areas the fungal melanin spectra were similar to those reported for other fungal melanins and humic acids of different origins. The probable contribution of the melanic fungi to the formation of soil humic polymers is discussed.     

Amino sugars and muramic acid—biomarkers for soil microbial community structure analysis

Characterizing functional and phylogenetic microbial community structure in soil is important for understanding the fate of microbially-derived compounds during the decomposition and turn-over of soil organic matter. This study was conducted to test whether amino sugars and muramic acid are suitable biomarkers to trace bacterial, fungal, and actinomycetal residues in soil. For this aim, we investigated the pattern, amounts, and dynamics of three amino sugars (glucosamine, mannosamine and galactosamine) and muramic acid in the total microbial biomass and selectively cultivated bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes of five different soils amended with and without glucose. Our results revealed that total amino sugar and muramic acid concentrations in microbial biomass, extracted from soil after chloroform fumigation varied between 1 and 27 mg kg⁻¹ soil. In all soils investigated, glucose addition resulted in a 50-360% increase of these values. In reference to soil microbial biomass-C, the total amino sugar- and muramic acid-C concentrations ranged from 1-71 g C kg⁻¹ biomass-C. After an initial lag phase, the cultivated microbes revealed similar amino sugar concentrations of about 35, 27 and 17 g glucosamine-C kg⁻¹ TOC in bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, respectively. Mannosamine and galactosamine concentrations were lower than those for glucosamine. Mannosamine was not found in actinomycete cultures. The highest muramic acid concentrations were found in bacteria, but small amounts were also found in actinomycete cultures. The concentrations of the three amino sugars studied and muramic acid differed significantly between bacteria and the other phylogenetic microbial groups under investigation (fungi and actinomycetes). Comparison between the amino sugar and muramic acid concentrations in soil microbial biomass, extracted after chloroform fumigation, and total concentrations in the soil showed that living microbial biomass contributed negligible amounts to total amino sugar contents in the soil, being at least two orders of magnitude greater in the soils than in the soil inherent microbial biomass. Thus, amino sugars are significantly stabilized in soil.     

Determination of neutral sugars in soil by capillary gas chromatography after derivatization to aldononitrile acetates

We have quantified ribose, rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, fucose, mannose, glucose, and galactose in soil by gas chromatography (GC) simultaneously after converting to aldononitrile acetate derivatives. A recommended single-hydrolytic step by 4 M trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) at 105 °C for 4 h was more effective for releasing soil neutral sugars from non-cellulosic carbohydrates and better suited to our purification procedure compared with the sulphuric acid hydrolysis. Linearity of the GC detection for each neutral sugar was in the range of 10-640 μg ml⁻¹ and the recovery of neutral sugars from the spiked soil samples ranged from 76% to 109.7%. The coefficients of variation of the neutral sugars in four soils were lower than 2.0% for the instrument and 4.6-7.6% for the whole determination procedures. Compared with the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatization, the recovery of our newly modified method was more satisfactory and the reproducibility of ribose was improved significantly. Moreover, the aldononitrile acetate derivative was more stable than TMS derivative. Therefore, it is a promising approach suitable for a routine use in the quantitative analysis of soil neutral sugars, since it is fast, sensitive, and reproducible.     

Relationships between parameters of the humus status of forest and meadow soils and their altitudinal position on the main Crimean range

The influence of bioclimatic conditions related to the elevation above sea level on the quantitative and qualitative parameters of humus in mountain soils has been studied. It is shown that changes in the water and temperature conditions with the altitude do not exert significant effect on the humus content in mountain- forest soils, because the total amount of soil organic matter mainly depends on the composition and state of the vegetation cover. The humus content is the highest in meadow soils formed on mountain plateau with excessive moistening, which determines the formation of dense grass cover and the temperature regime favorable for humification. The percentage of Cha in the composition of Corg and the optical density of humic acids (HAs) are the qualitative parameters of the soil humus status changing with the altitude. The intensity of humus coloring of the soil depends on the content and optical density of HAs. A comparison of color intensity in the mountainous meadow chernozemlike soils and plain chernozems has shown its significant dependence on the hydrothermic conditions.     

Long term effects of a brown coal-based amendment on the properties of soil humic acids

In this study a typical grey-brown podzolic soil was amended with different doses of a brown coal-based preparation called Rekulter (R) largely used in Poland. After seven years, soils were analyzed and humic acids (HAs) were extracted both from the control soil and from the amended soils. All HAs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy both in emission, excitation and synchronous-scan mode and as Excitation-Emission-Matrix (EEM) contour maps. A higher carbon content was observed in the amended soils whereas significant differences were highlighted between the unamended and the amended soil HAs. HAs from amended soils showed a higher content of carboxyl groups and a more aromatic character, particularly HA extracted from the soil amended with the highest dose of R.     

不同土壤腐殖酸对辛硫磷水解的影响

各种试验土壤腐殖酸的紫外吸收曲线相似,但吸收峰强度和E 465/E 665值差异较大,腐殖酸的腐殖化程度由大至小排序为：紫色潮土HA〉黄壤HA〉中性紫色土HA〉酸性紫色土HA,说明它们组成相似,结构和性质有差异。在此基础上,研究它们对辛硫磷水解的影响。结果表明,不同来源土壤腐殖酸均阻碍辛硫磷的水解,但它们的影响程度有明显的差异。腐殖酸溶液浓度越大,辛硫磷水解速率越慢,相同腐殖酸浓度下以腐殖化程度较高的紫色潮土的作用最大。初步说明辛硫磷的水解速率与土壤腐殖酸的浓度和腐殖化程度有关。     

Paramagnetic Properties of Humic Substances in Taiga and Tundra Soils of the European Northeast of Russia

The study of paramagnetic activity of humic substances in taiga and tundra soils of the Komi Republic and the assessment of the influence of soil hydromorphism on concentrations of free radicals in the structure of humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs) have been performed. The concentration of free radicals in HA specimens was up to 11 times higher than that in FA specimens due to a higher content of aromatic and other condensed structures in HA molecules. This fact attests to the high capacity of HAs to polymerization and complexation reactions with participation of radicals. The average value of g-factor is higher for FA specimens than for HA specimens, which attests to a greater electron density shift of unpaired electron to oxygen atom in the structure of FAs because of its spin-orbital interaction with oxygen-containing functional groups, the concentrations of which are significantly higher in FAs than in HAs. An increase in the concentration of free radicals in the molecular structure of HAs is observed in taiga soils with an increase in the degree of their hydromorphism (from automorphic to semihydromorphic soils), which is related to the biohydrothermal conditions of humus formation in bog-podzolic soils with retarded biochemical processes and low degree of plant litter humification. As a result, HAs with the high content of free radicals in their structure are formed. An opposite situation is observed for HAs in tundra soils with a decrease in the content of unpaired electrons under conditions of the increased hydromorphism. The difference in the character of changes in the paramagnetic activity of HAs in taiga and tundra soils with different degrees of hydromorphism may be related to different natures of plant residues participating in humification processes. A tendency for a decrease in the paramagnetic activity in both HAs and FAs from the south to the north is observed, which may be related to a general decrease in the content of poly-conjugated systems in the structure of humic substances in tundra soils.     

Chemical characteristics of humic acids from five soils in Kenya

Humic acids (HAs) isolated from five soils (Luvisols, with 460–600 mm rainfall, Nitosols and Ferralsol, with 1060–1950 mm rainfall) from different ecological regions of Kenya were characterized by ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses and optical measurements. The data suggest that excessive rainfall in sub-humid regions may lower the molecular weights of the HAs as well as their aromaticities. Concentrations of aliphatic components, including aminoacids and carbohydrates, in the HAs from the sub-humid regions were higher (40–42 wt/wt %) than those in the HAs isolated from soils of the semi-arid regions (29–32 wt/wt %). Chemical characteristics of the soils from the sub-humid regions of Kenya resembled those of the HAs from temperate regions but differed from those of HAs originating from arid regions. Annual rainfall and vegetation appeared to affect the composition of HAs but effects of elevation and temperature were less clear.     

Cultivation-Induced Effects on the Organic Matter in Degraded Southern African Soils

We studied quantitative and qualitative changes in soil organic matter (SOM) due to different land uses (reference woodland versus cultivated) on six soils from Tanzania (Mkindo and Mafiga), Zimbabwe (Domboshawa and Chickwaka), and South Africa (Hertzog and Guquka). Structural characteristics of the humic acids (HAs) were measured by Curie-point pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (P_y–GC/MS) and solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (CPMAS ¹³C NMR) spectroscopy. Significant changes in concentration and composition of SOM were observed between land uses. Losses of organic carbon after cultivation ranged from 35% to 50%. Virgin soils showed large proportions of colloidal humus fractions: humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs) but negligible amounts of not-yet decomposed organic residues. The change in land use produced a contrasting effect on the composition of the HAs: a noteworthy “alkyl enhancement” in Mkindo soil and “alkyl depletion” in Chikwaka and to a lesser extent in Domwoshawa. The remaining soils displayed only minor alterations.     

Spectroscopic properties of humic acids isolated from the rhizosphere and bulk soil compartments and fractionated by size-exclusion chromatography

The humic acids (HAs) isolated by conventional procedure from rhizosphere (r) and bulk (c) soils were analyzed by means of chemical and physico-chemical techniques. Two different crops were selected, tomato (T) and artichoke (A), and each HA was fractionated by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) into three fractions with increasing molecular size, respectively, Fraction I (FrI) < Fraction II (FrII) < Fraction III (FrIII). Elemental analysis data indicated greater N and S contents in the rhizosphere T-HAs, with respect to rhizosphere A-HA, which suggests the occurrence in the former ones of a large amount of organic nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds that are released by the rhizodeposition processes. Further, the three HA fractions from the bulk soils of the two series showed a gradual increase of C, H, and N contents, and a decrease of O and S contents and C/N and C/H ratios. These results suggested that the lowest molecular size fractions are richer in oxygenated functional groups, whereas the higher molecular size fractions are richer in N-containing groups and structural C- and H-containing units. The three HA fractions from the rhizosphere soils of the two series showed a gradual decrease in C content, and an increase of H, N, and O contents, which suggests the possible incorporation into soil HAs of a multitude of C-containing compounds of low molecular size released by plant roots. The FT-IR data, in general, suggested that the contents of carboxylic, phenolic and N-containing groups and polysaccharide-like components in HAs from rhizosphere soils are larger than those of HAs from the corresponding bulk soils. Further, the FrI fraction consisted mainly of simple structural units, likely quinonic and phenolic units with a prevalent aromatic character, whereas the FrII and, especially, FrIII fractions featured a mixed aliphatic/aromatic nature and a greater molecular complexity. The extent of these differences appeared to depend on the plant species and age, and is mainly due to the partial incorporation into rhizosphere HAs of typical root exudate components, such as amino acids, amides, aliphatic and aromatic acids of low molecular size, polysaccharides and sugars, fatty acids and sterols, and enzymes.     

Characterization of humic acids extracted from sewage sludge-amended oxisols by electron paramagnetic resonance

In tropical soils, the high turnover rate and mineralization of organic matter (OM) associated with intensive agricultural use, generally leads to faster soil degradation than that observed in temperate climatic zones. The application of sewage sludge to the soils is one proposed method of maintaining soil organic matter, and is also an alternative method of disposing of this waste product. As well as containing large quantities of OM, sludge is also a significant source of supplementary nitrogen, phosphorus and other essential nutrients for plant growth. However, it is necessary to understand the qualitative and quantitative changes that take place in the OM in soil treated with sewage sludge. The approach of the present study was intended to identify possible structural changes caused by sewage sludge applications on soil humic acids (HAs). The HAs extracted from a Typic Achrortox under sewage sludge applications were characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The soil samples were collected from a field experiment designed to evaluate the effects of different doses of sewage sludge on corn growth and development in Brazil. The sewage sludge originated from urban waste treated at the sewage sludge treatment station in the city of Franca, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The following soil treatments were studied: control (non-cultivated soil under natural vegetation (NC)), control soil amended with NPK (conventional corn fertilization) and four treatments N1, N2, N4 and N8 with applications of 3.5, 7, 14 and 28 Mg ha⁻¹ of sewage sludge (dry matter), respectively. HAs were extracted from the surface layer using the methodology of the International Humic Substance Society (IHSS). Fe³⁺ and VO²⁺ ions complexed with HAs, and also semiquinone-type free radical (SFR) at concentrations of approximately 2.0 × 10¹⁸ spins g⁻¹ HA were identified in EPR spectra. The levels of SFR were lower for treatments where the applied sewage sludge doses were equivalent to four and eight times the normal doses of N mineral fertilization, reaching values of 1.7 × 10¹⁸ and 1.24 × 10¹⁸ spins g⁻¹ HA, respectively. The observed decrease in SFR content as sewage sludge dose was increased, was probably associated with the incorporation of less aromatic components into HAs originating from the sewage sludge.     

Specific Responses of Soil Microbial Residue Carbon to Long-Term Mineral Fertilizer Applications to Reddish Paddy Soils

Mineral nutrient inputs to soil may alter microbial activity and consequently influence the accumulation of microbial residues. In this study, we investigated the effects of application rates and ratios of mineral fertilizers on the microbial residue carbon(MRC) of reddish paddy soils after long-term(15-year) fertilizer applications in southern China. Contents of three soil amino sugars as microbial residue contents were determined and MRC were calculated based on amino sugars. Results showed that three individual amino sugar contents increased as fertilizer application rates increased until maximum values were reached at a rate of 450-59-187 kg ha~(-1) year~(-1)(N-P-K). The three amino sugar contents then declined significantly under the highest mineral fertilizer application rate of 675-88-280 kg ha~(-1) year~(-1)(N-P-K). In addition, to enhance the microbial residue contents, it was more beneficial to double P(N:P:K= 1:0.26:0.41) in fertilizers applied to the P-deficient reddish paddy soils than to double either N(N:P:K = 2:0.13:0.41) or K(N:P:K= 1:0.13:0.82). The contents of the three individual amino sugars and microbial residues under different fertilizer application rates and ratios were significantly and positively correlated with soil organic carbon(SOC), total N, total P, and p H. Increases in values of the fungal C to bacterial C ratios showed that soil organic matter(SOM) stability increased because of the fertilizer applications over the past 15 years. The contents and ratios of amino sugars can be used as indicators to evaluate the impact of mineral fertilizer applications on SOM dynamics in subtropical paddy soils. The results indicated that fertilizer applications at a rate of 450-59-187 kg ha~(-1) year~(-1)(N-P-K) may improve crop yields, SOC contents, and SOC stability in subtropical paddy soils.     

Chemical and spectroscopic characterization of Humic acids from a soil toposequence in venezuela

Abstract

An investigation was conducted on physico‐chemical properties of humic acids (HAs) in Venezuelan soils. The HAs were extracted by the NaOH method from a Banco‐Bajio‐Estero soil toposequence (local names for soils located at high, intermediate and low topographic levels), in the Venezuelan plains (Mantecal, Apure State). The extracted HAs were analyzed for elemental composition and characterized by fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopies. The results showed that free radical concentration of HAs increased from soils at the highest to soils at the lowest topographic position. High carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and carboxyl group contents, E₄/E₆ ratio, aliphatic character and concentration of free radicals, and low oxygen (O) and phenolic hydroxyl group contents and total acidity were typical of HA from soils at the lower relief position. The FT‐IR spectra indicated that the HA from the soil at the lowest topographic position tended to have a slightly higher content of carboxyl groups than the HAs from soils at higher topographic levels. The observed fluorescence was attributed to the presence of condensed aromatic moieties and/or conjugated unsaturated systems of various complexity in the HA macromolecules.     

Humic acid composition and humification processes in wetland soils of a Mediterranean semiarid wetland

Purpose

The present study focuses on a compositional characterization of the humic acid (HA) fraction of several wetland soils using solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The data were analysed using the molecular mixing model (MMM), based on an empirical approach by Nelson and Baldock. The compositional data from HAs obtained with this model were used to obtain a wider assessment of the process of humification from comparison of total soil wetland organic matter composition and HA composition.

Materials and methods

Twenty samples of humic acids (HAs) isolated from a Mediterranean semiarid wetland (‘Tablas de Daimiel’, central Spain) were studied using elemental analysis and cross polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS)¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The NMR data were analysed with the molecular mixing model (MMM) considering up to six generic components (carbohydrate, protein, lignin, lipid, char and ‘carbonyl’). HAs are considered a conceptual mixture of these model components, and the MMM determines the proportions of the characteristic biomolecules contributing to HA composition.

Results and discussion

The composition of the HAs under study depends on local factors such as site vegetation and occurrence of fire. Correlations between the proportions of the six generic components and further comparison with those determined for the unfractionated OM (whole sample, WS), gave information on HA origin and humification mechanisms. In particular, the proportions of char and carbohydrate (R ² 0.637) and contents of lignin and protein (R ² 0.471) in the HAs were negatively correlated (P < 0.05). Significant correlations (R ² 0.439) also existed for char contents in whole sample (WS) compared to HA, and for carbohydrates in WS compared to HA (R ² 0.558). Char proportion grew in HA with respect to the WS, and carbohydrates dropped to a half on average in HA compared to WS.

Conclusions

Two different humification mechanisms could be identified for no-fire and fire areas. In the former, HA-char was preserved selectively from char in the sample, whereas in the latter, char was newly formed by fire effect.

     

土壤腐殖酸对毒死蜱水解的影响

土壤腐殖酸的VIS-UV光谱特征和E465/E665的测定结果表明,各种土壤腐殖酸的VIS-UV吸收曲线相似,但吸收峰强度和E465/E665差异较大,进而推得它们的腐殖化程度排序为:紫色潮土腐殖酸>中性紫色土腐殖酸>酸性紫色土腐殖酸>腐殖土腐殖酸,说明它们在组成上有共同的本性,但结构和性质差异较大。在此基础上,研究它们对毒死蜱水解的影响。结果表明,不同来源土壤腐殖酸均促进了毒死蜱的水解,但它们的影响程度有明显的差异。对于腐殖化程度最低的腐殖土腐殖酸,浓度为120mg L-1时,对毒死蜱水解的促进作用最大,而随着腐殖酸浓度的增大,促进作用却越来越弱;而对于其它三种样品,腐殖酸溶液对毒死蜱水解的促进作用随着腐殖酸浓度增大而加强,其中以腐殖化程度较低的酸性紫色土的促进作用较为明显。可见,毒死蜱的水解速率与土壤腐殖酸的浓度和腐殖化程度有关。其中,腐殖酸腐殖化程度的影响机理主要与腐殖酸的酸性和腐殖酸的吸附—催化作用有关,其具体作用机理有待于进一步从定性和定量方面去研究,以更好地指导毒死蜱农药的合理施用和污染土壤的修复。     

Elemental,functional infrared and free radical characterization of humic acid-type fungal polymers (melanins)

Summary Humic acid-type polymers (melanins) synthesized in culture media by the fungi Aspergillus glaucus, Eurotium echinulatum, Hendersonula toruloidea, Stachybotrys atra and Aspergillus sydowi were analysed for elemental composition, functional group content, infrared (IR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) properties. Results were discussed in comparison with range values referred for soil humic acids. The fungal polymers showed significant differences in carboxyl and nitrogen content and C/H atomic ratios, reflecting a different degree of condensation (aromaticity) among the various samples. IR analysis gave evidence of: (a) the predominant aromatic character of melanins from A. glaucus, E. echinulatum and H. toruloidea; (b) the high content of aliphatic and olefinic components of S. atra melanin; (c) the typical presence of amide bonds in the nitrogen-richest melanins from A. sydowi and H. toruloidea; and (d) the generally low amount of free carboxyl groups, which often appeared involved in hydrogen bonds. ESR spectra showed that all the melanins studied contained appreciable concentrations of organic free radicals of prevailing semiquinonic nature and of the same order of magnitude commonly measured in humic acids from soil and other sources. The free electron concentration was shown to be directly related to the C/H atomic ratio and to the degree of aromaticity shown by IR analysis. This indicated that the highest free radical content in the melanins from E. echinulatum and A. glaucus was associated with the highest presence of condensed aromatic structures. Humic acid-type polymers synthesized by soil fungi may, therefore, contribute to the total free radical content of soil humic substances and play important roles in all reactions involving free radicals in soils and related environments.     

Compositional and functional features of humic acids from organic amendments and amended soils in Minnesota, USA

The use of organic amendments requires an adequate control of the chemical quality of their humic acid (HA)-like fractions and of the effects that these materials may have on the status, quality, chemistry and functions of native soil HAs. In this work, the compositional, functional and structural properties of the HA-like fractions isolated from a liquid swine manure (LSM), a municipal sewage sludge (SS), and two municipal solid waste composts (MSWCs) were evaluated in comparison to those of HAs isolated from three unamended soils and from the corresponding soils amended with LSW, SS, and MSWC at various rates in three field plot experiments conducted in Minnesota, USA. With respect to the unamended soil HAs, the HA-like fractions of the three amendments featured a greater aliphatic character, a marked presence of proteinaceous, S-containing and polysaccharides-like structures, an extended molecular heterogeneity, small organic free radical contents and a small degree of humification. The MSWC-HAs featured a larger degree of humification than LSM-HA and SS-HA. The three amendments affected in different ways and by various extents the compositional, structural and functional properties of soil HAs depending upon the nature, origin and application rate of the amendment. In general, the data obtained suggested that proteinaceous, S-containing and aliphatic structures contained in HA-like fractions of organic amendments were partially incorporated into native soil HAs.