BORON CONCENTRATION IN HUMIC AND FULVIC ACID EXTRACTS OF SOIL EPIPEDON IN SAN VITALE PINEWOOD (RAVENNA, ITALY)

Humified Soil Organic Matter (SOM) plays a crucial role in the assessment of soil quality since it makes up a significant part of the total organic carbon and nitrogen in soils. High concentrations of humic and fulvic acids may be presents in soils and subordinately in sediments. These substances can potentially act as a significant reservoir of adsorbed boron as well as a source of this element to soil solution, rivers, and lakes. The aim of this study was to investigate boron in humic substances (e.g. humic and fulvic acids) of soil epipedon. The San Vitale pinewood was selected as the study site and three samples - classified as Sodic Psammaquents and Typic Psammaquants - of the A1-horizon epipedon were analyzed for humic and fulvic acids and boron contents. The knowledge of the mechanisms of boron interaction with SOM is important for a better understanding of the water/rock interaction in the superficial soil environment, and to envisage the application of the blending of boron into humic acid granules in agricultural practices.