Application of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Studies of Organic Matter in Soil

Abstract

¹³C, ¹⁵N and ³¹P NMR have proved to be useful tools for the examination of structures of organic materials in soil (SOM). The method has been used to study chemical changes of SOM and its components such as humic and fulvic acids. NMR greatly enhanced the understanding of all areas of SOM research, including the nature of decomposition, the effects of cultivation and interaction of SOM with xenobiotics and metals. ¹³C NMR plays the most important role in SOM investigation. However, also ³¹P NMR spectroscopy provides particular characteristics of P compounds in SOM. The importance of ¹⁵N NMR in studies of SOM and dynamics of soil nitrogen is increasing.