Studies on the Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles in the Soil. V. The Origin of the Humic Matter of the Soil. (With Three Text-figures.)

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Abstract
The results so far recorded in this series of investigations are discussed in their bearing on the hypothesis according to which the humic matter of soil is derived from lignin. This hypothesis is supported, but since the artificial product prepared from lignin is nitrogen-free, whereas the natural product contains nitrogen, further progress in the elucidation of the nature and origin of humic matter is dependent on a study of the part played by nitrogen in the formation of humic matter, and the form in which it occurs.