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A Correlation-Based Approach for Predicting Humic Substance Bioactivity from Direct Compost Characterization
Ana Catarina Silva1,2, Pedro Rocha1, Patrícia Valderrama3
1Department of Chemistry, Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
Abstract:
The efficient characterization of compost quality is essential for optimizing its application in agriculture and soil improvement. In this study, a correlation-based approach was employed to evaluate relationships between physicochemical properties, structural features, and reactivity indicators of compost extracts-fulvic acid-like (FA-L), humic acid-like (HA-L), and dissolved organic matter (DOM)-and their respective bulk composts. The goal was to identify key compost parameters that can serve as reliable predictors of humic substance composition and bioactivity, thereby reducing reliance on labor-intensive humic substance extractions. A comprehensive set of elemental, spectroscopic (UV-vis, ATR-FTIR, 1H-NMR), and thermal (TGA-DSC) analyses were conducted to assess the composition and stability of the extracts. Strong correlations were found between compost oxidation state (C/C), cation exchange capacity (CEC), thermal stability, and the structural characteristics of humic substances-like (HS-L) fractions, suggesting that direct compost characterization can effectively predict humic substance reactivity and agronomic potential. The findings also align with a previously developed Compost Quality Index (CQI), reinforcing the functional role of humic substances in soil fertility and nutrient retention. By establishing a simplified yet robust compost assessment framework, this study advances the potential for efficient, cost-effective evaluation methodologies for compost quality.
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