Interaction of heavy metals with the organic matter of an ordinary chernozem

Lead, copper, and zinc interacted with the soil organic matter when applied to an ordinary chernozem in a pot experiment. Two years after the treatment, an appreciable part of the metals applied was found in the organic substances, predominantly in a loosely bound state. These organic substances were supposed to be organomineral complexes, the formation of which resulted in the partial destruction of humic acid molecules. These processes increased the content of aliphatic structures and the share of fulvic acids and decreased the content of humic acids in the organic matter of the chernozem.