Size distribution of condensed aromatic rings in various soil humic acids

Condensed aromatic rings are important skeletal components with regard to the recalcitrant nature of humic acids (HAs) in the environment. However, they have not been extensively studied. The relative content and composition (size distribution) of condensed aromatic rings in HAs were obtained from various soils subjected to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile analysis. In the XRD profiles of all the HAs, the 11 band that was derived from the carbon layer planes was clearly observed. Analysis of the 11 band indicated that the size of the carbon layer planes in HAs ranged from 0.48–1.68 nm, corresponding to 4- to 37-ring condensed aromatic structures. The contents of the total and larger carbon layer planes were larger in HAs with darker color and larger aromatic carbon content. At the same time, the carbon layer planes in HAs were smaller than those in a carbon black reference (from 0.24 to >3.66 nm). In the TEM analysis, fringes observed in HAs were less distinct and less ordered than those in carbon black, which was in agreement with the XRD result.