Oxygen-containing functional groups in land-derived humic acids—I. Evaluation by derivatization methods

Determinations of reactive oxygen-containing functional groups were performed by usual chemical derivatization methods of four humic acids isolated from soils and deltaic sediments. Statistical tests and calculations based on elemental analysis demonstrated the validity and limits of these techniques and allowed us to identify from 60 to 71% of the total humic oxygen. Oxygen budgets of humic acids are discussed.