Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Low-Molecular-Weight Organic Acids in Soils: Sources, Composition, Concentrations, and Functions: A Review

  • SOIL CHEMISTRY
  • Published:
Eurasian Soil Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The main sources of the low-molecular-weight aliphatic and aromatic organic acids (LMWOAs) in soils are plant residues, root exudates, and microbial metabolites. In the solutions of upper soil layers of forest ecosystems, citric, oxalic, and malic acids predominate among aliphatic LMWOAs, while substituted and unsubstituted benzoic and cinnamic acids predominate among aromatic LMWOAs. The LMWOA concentrations in plant tissues, root exudates, and microbial metabolites vary from several to some tens of millimoles per liter. In soil solutions, these values decrease by one–two orders of magnitude because of LMWOA sorption and biodegradation, their migration downward the profile, and dilution effect. The sorption of LMWOA anions increases with a decrease in pH and an increase in the concentrations of iron oxides/hydroxides and amorphous aluminosilicate clays. Polybasic acids are more tightly bound to solid phase as compared with monobasic acids. The sorption mechanisms vary depending on pH and LMWOA molecular structure and include formation of innersphere and outersphere surface complexes, ligand exchange, and cation bridge bond. Aromatic LMWOAs can be involved in a hydrophobic interaction. LMWOAs are very rapidly decomposed in the upper horizons, their lifespan amounting to several hours. Some important functions of LMWOAs in soils and landscapes are discussed, including their involvement in the global carbon cycle, mineral weathering, Al and Fe mobilization and translocation, mobilization of Fe and P compounds in the soils deficient in these elements, formation of acid–base buffering of natural waters, and detoxication of soils with increased contents of aluminum, heavy metals, and organic pollutants in soil solutions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Soils and horizons are named in author’s edition.

REFERENCES

  1. N. A. Artemkina, T. T. Gorbacheva, and N. V. Lukina, “Low-molecular-weight organic acids in soil water of forests of the Kola Peninsula,” Lesovedenie, No. 6, 37–44 (2008).

    Google Scholar 

  2. E. I. Karavanova, “Dissolved organic matter: fractional composition and sorbability by the soil solid phase (review of literature),” Eurasian Soil Sci. 46, 833–844 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. I. S. Kaurichev and E. M. Nozdrunova, “Migration and qualitative composition of water-soluble organic matter in forest-meadow soils,” Izv. Timiryazevsk. S-kh. Akad., No. 5, 91–106 (1962).

  4. I. S. Kaurichev, T. N. Ivanova, and E. M. Nozdrunova, “The content of low-molecular organic acids in water-soluble organic soil matter,” Pochvovedenie, No. 3, 27–35 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  5. I. S. Kaurichev and L. N. Frolova, “Individual water-soluble organic matter in forest litter,” Dokl. Timiryazevsk. S-kh. Akad., No. 115, 19–24 (1965).

  6. I. S. Kaurichev, et al., “Qualitative composition of water-soluble organic matter extracted from humificated and non-humificated forest litters,” Izv. Timiryazevsk. S-kh. Akad., No. 2, 100–109 (1972).

  7. M. S. Malinina and S. V. Ivanilova, “Phenol compounds in solutions of soils of different types in the central forest state biosphere reserve,” Eurasian Soil Sci. 41, 377–385 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. G. V. Motuzova, A. V. Zorina, and A. A. Stepanov, “Water-soluble organic substances in litters of Al–Fe–humus podzols of the Kola Peninsula,” Eurasian Soil Sci. 38, 57–64 (2005).

    Google Scholar 

  9. D. S. Orlov, Soil Humic Acids and General Theory of Humification (Moscow State Univ., Moscow, 1990) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  10. T. A. Sokolova, I. I. Tolpeshta, L. V. Lysak, Yu. A. Zavgorodnyaya, T. S. Chalova, M. M. Karpukhin, and Yu. G. Izosimova, “Biological characteristics and concentrations of mobile Fe, Al, Si compounds in spruce rhizosphere in podzolic soil,” Eurasian Soil Sci. 51, 1317–1325 (2018).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. E. A. Timofeeva, Candidate’s Dissertation in Biology (Moscow, 2010).

  12. I. M. Yashin and I. S. Kaurichev, “The role of low-molecular organic acids in the abiogenic transformation of humic substances in soils of the taiga-forest zone,” Izv. Timiryazevsk. S-kh. Akad., No. 5, 36–49 (1992).

  13. I. M. Yashin and I. S. Kaurichev, “Pedogenic functions of water-soluble organic substances in taiga landscapes,” Pochvovedenie, No. 10, 49–61 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  14. I. M. Yashin, L. L. Shishov, and V. A. Raskatov, Analysis of Migration of Substances (Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Moscow, 2001) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  15. J. Abadía, A.-F. López-Millán, R. Adamo, and A. Anunciacin, “Organic acids and Fe deficiency: a review,” Plant Soil 241, 75–86 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. G. Angst, I. Kögel-Knabner, K. Kirfel, D. Hertel, and C. W. Mueller, “Spatial distribution and chemical composition of soil organic matter fractions in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil under European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.),” Geoderma 264, 179–187 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. V. L. Bailey, A. P. Smith, M. Tfaily, S. J. Fansler, and B. Bond-Lamberty, “Differences in soluble organic carbon chemistry in pore waters sampled from different pore size domains,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 107, 133–143 (2017).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. C. Balland, A. Poszwa, C. Leyval, and C. Mustin, “Dissolution rates of phyllosilicates as a function of bacterial metabolic diversity,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 74, 5478–5493 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Z. Balogh-Brunstad, C. K. Keller, T. J. Dickinson, F. Stevens, C. Y. Li, and B. T. Bormann, “Biotite weathering and nutrient uptake by ectomycorrhizal fungus, Suillus tomentosus, in liquid-culture experiments,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 72, 2601–2618 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. J. Barceló and C. Poschenrieder, “Fast root growth responses, root exudates, internal detoxification as clues to the mechanisms of aluminum toxicity and resistance: a review,” Environ. Exp. Bot. 48, 75–92 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. R. Baziramakenga, R. R. Simard, and G. D. Leroux, “Determination of organic acids in soil extracts by ion chromatography,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 27 (3), 349–356 (1995).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. P. C. Bennet, M. E. Melcer, D. I. Siegel, and J. P. Hasset, “The dissolution of quartz in dilute aqueous solutions of organic acids at 25°C,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 52 (6), 1521–1530 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. P. C. Bennet, “The dissolution of quartz in organic rich aqueous systems,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 55 (7), 1781–1797 (1991).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. A. Bergelin, P. A. W. van Hees, O. Wahlberg, and U. S. Lundström, “The acid-base properties of high and low molecular weight organic acids in soil solutions of podzolic soils,” Geoderma 94, 223–235 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. J. S. Bhatti, N. B. Comerford, and C. T. Johnston, “Influence of oxalate and soil organic matter on sorption and desorption of phosphate onto a spodic horizon,” Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 62, 1089–1095 (1989).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. P. Cambier and G. Sposito, “Adsorption of citric acid by synthetic pseudobemite,” Clays Clay Miner. 39 (4), 369–374 (1991).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. B. Chefetz, S. Eldad, and T. Polubesova, “Interactions of aromatic acids with montmorillonite: Ca2+- and Fe3+-saturated clays versus Fe3+–Ca2+-clay system,” Geoderma 160, 608–613 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Y. Chen, M. A. Glaus, L. R. van Loon, and U. Mäder, “Transport of low molecular weight organic compounds in compacted illite and kaolinite,” Chemosphere 198, 226–237 (2018).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. P. K. F. Chin and G. L. Mills, “Kinetics and mechanisms of kaolinite dissolution: effects of organic ligands,” Chem. Geol. 90, 307–317 (1991).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. M. Corvasce, A. Zsolnay, V. D. Orazio, R. Lopez, and T. M. Miano, “Characterization of water extractable organic matter in a deep soil profile,” Chemosphere 62, 1583–1590 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. P.-E. Courty, M. Buee, A. G. Diedhiou, P. Frey-Klett, F. LeTacon, F. Rineau, M.-P. Turpault, S. Uroz, and J. Garbaye, “The role of ectomycorrhizal communities in forest ecosystem processes: new perspectives and emerging concepts,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 42, 679–698 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. K. Cromack, P. Sollins, W. C. Graustein, K. Speidel, A. W. Todd, G. Spycher, C. Y. Li, and R. L. Todd, “Calcium oxalate accumulation and soil weathering in mats of the hypogeous fungus Hysterangium crassum,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 11, 463–468 (1979).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. F. D. Dakora and D. A. Phillips, “Root exudates as mediators of mineral acquisition in low-nutrient environments,” Plant Soil 245, 35–47 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. F. A. Dijkstra, C. Geibe, S. Holmström, U. S. Lundström, and N. van Breemen, “The effect of organic acids on base cation leaching from the forest floor under six North American tree species,” Eur. J. Soil Sci. 52, 205–214 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Dubus I.G., Barriuso E., and Calvet, R. Sorption of weak organic acids in soils: clofencet, 2,4-D, salicylic acid,” Chemosphere 45, 767–774 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. M. Duputel, N. Devau, M. Brossard, B. Jaillard, D. L. Jones, P. Hinsinger, and F. Gérard, “Citrate adsorption can decrease soluble phosphate concentration in soils: results of theoretical modeling,” Appl. Geochem. 35, 120–131 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. S. B. Durman, A. B. Menendez, and A. M. Godeas, “Variation in oxalic acid production and mycelial compatibility within field populations of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 37, 2180–2184 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. M. E. Essington, Soil and Water Chemistry (CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2004).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  39. H. Fischer, J. Ingwersen, and Y. Kuzyakov, “Microbial uptake of low-molecular-weight organic substances out-competes sorption in soil,” Eur. J. Soil Sci. 61, 504–513 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. T. R. Fox and N. B. Comerford, “Low-molecular-weight organic acids in selected forest soils of the southeastern USA,” Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 54 (4), 1139–1144 (1990).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. K. Fujii, M. Aoki, and K. Kitayama, “Biodegradation of low molecular weight organic acids in rhizosphere soils from a tropical montane rain forest,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 47, 142–148 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. K. Fujii, K. Morioka, R. Hangs, S. Funakawa, T. Kosaki, and D. W. Anderson, “Rapid turnover of organic acids in a Dystric Brunisol under a spruce–lichen forest in northern Saskatchewan, Canada,” Can. J. Soil Sci. 93, 295–304 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. G. Furrer and W. Stumm, “The role of surface coordination in the dissolution of δ-Al2O3 in dilute acids,” Chimia 37, 338–341 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  44. G. Furrer and W. Stumm, “The coordination chemistry of weathering. I. Dissolution kinetics of δ-Al2O3 and BeO,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 50, 1847–1860 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. C. Gallet and F. Pellissier, “Phenolic compounds in natural solutions of a coniferous forest,” J. Chem. Ecol. 23 (10), 2401–2412 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. S. Gangloff, P. Stille, M.-C. Pierret, T. Weber, and F. Chabaux, “Characterization and evolution of dissolved organic matter in acidic forest soil and its impact on the mobility of major and trace elements (case of the Strengbach watershed),” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 130, 21–41 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. R. P. Griffiths, J. E. Baham, and B. A. Caldwell, “Soil solution chemistry of ectomycorrhizal mats in forest soil,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 26, 331–337 (1994).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. G. Guggenberger and W. Zech, “Composition and dynamics of dissolved carbohydrates and lignin-degradation products in two coniferous forests in N. E. Bavaria, Germany,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 26 (1), 19–27 (1994).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. K. Hanna, “Sorption of two aromatic acids onto iron oxides: experimental study and modeling,” J. Colloid Interface Sci. 309, 419–428 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. K. Hanna and C. Carteret, “Sorption of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid to goethite, lepidocrocite and ferrihydrite: batch experiments and infrared study,” Chemosphere 70, 178–186 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. J. Z. He, A. De Cristofaro, and A. Violante, “Comparison of adsorption of phosphate, tartrate, and oxalate on hydroxy aluminum montmorillonite complexes,” Clays Clay Miner. 47 (2), 226–233 (1999).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. E. Hoffland, R. van den Boogaard, J. Nelemans, and G. Findenegg, “Biosynthesis and root exudation of citric and malic acids in phosphate-starved rape plants,” New Phytol. 22, 675–680 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  53. Q. Huang, Z. Zhao, and W. Chen, “Effects of several low-molecular weight organic acids and phosphate on the adsorption of acid phosphatase by soil colloids and minerals,” Chemosphere 52, 571–579 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. W. H. Huang and W. D. Keller, “Dissolution of rock-forming minerals in organic acids: simulated first stage weathering of fresh mineral surface,” Am. Miner. 55 (11–12), 2076–2094 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  55. W. H. Huang and W. D. Keller, “Dissolution of clay minerals in dilute organic acids at room temperature,” Am. Miner. 56 (5–6), 1082–1095 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  56. N. V. Hue, G. R. Craddock, and F. Adams, “Effect of organic acids on aluminum toxicity in subsoils,” Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 50 (1), 28–34 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. B. W. Hütsch, J. Augustin, and W. Merbach, “Plant rhizodeposition—an important source for carbon turnover in soils,” J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci. 165, 397–407 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. S. Jagadamma, M. A. Mayes, Y. L. Zinn, G. Gísladóttir, and A. E. Russell, “Sorption of organic carbon compounds to the fine fraction of surface and subsurface soils,” Geoderma 213, 79–86 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Inderjit and P. C., Bhowmik, “Sorption of benzoic acid onto soil colloids and its implications for allelopathy studies,” Biol. Fertil. Soils 40, 345–348 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. D. L. Jones, “Organic acids in the rhizosphere—a critical review,” Plant Soil 205, 25–44 (1998).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. D. L. Jones and D. S. Brassington, “Sorption of organic acids in acid soils and its implications in the rhizosphere,” Eur. J. Soil Sci. 49, 447–455 (1998).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. D. L. Jones, P. G. Dennis, A. G. Owen, and P. A. W. van Hees, “Organic acid behavior in soils—misconceptions and knowledge gaps,” Plant Soil 248, 31–41 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. K. Kaiser, M. Kaupenjohann, and W. Zech, “Sorption of dissolved organic carbon in soils: effects of soil sample storage, soil-to-solution ratio, temperature,” Geoderma 99, 317–328 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. A. J. Krzyszowska, M. J. Blaybock, G. F. Vance, and M. B. David, “Ion-chromatographic analysis of low molecular weight organic acids in Spodosol forest floor solution,” Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 60 (5), 1565–1571 (1996).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. J. D. Kubicki, D. Tunega, and S. Kraemer, “A density functional theory investigation of oxalate and Fe(II) adsorption onto the (010) goethite surface with implications for ligand- and reduction-promoted dissolution,” Chem. Geol. 464, 14–22 (2017).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. A. T. Kuiters and H. M. Sarink, “Leaching of phenolic compounds from leaf and needle litter of several deciduous and coniferous trees,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 18 (5), 475–480 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Y. Kuzyakov and E. Blagodatskaya, “Microbial hotspots and hot moments in soil: concept, review,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 83, 184–199 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. C. Leyval and J. Berthelin, “Weathering of a mica by roots and rhizospheric microorganisms of pine,” Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 55, 1009–1016 (1991).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. J. Li and R. Xu, “Adsorption of phthalic acid and salicylic acid and their effect on exchangeable Al capacity of variable-charge soils,” J. Colloid Interface Sci. 306, 3–10 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. W. Ling, L. Ren, Y. Gao, X. Zhu, and B. Sun, “Impact of low-molecular-weight organic acids on the availability of phenanthrene and pyrene in soil,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 41, 2187–2195 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. N. Liu, J. You, W. Shi, W. Liu, and Z. Yang, “Salicylic acid involved in the process of aluminum induced citrate exudation in Glycine max L.,” Plant Soil 352, 85–97 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. L. Luo, S. Zhang, X. Q. Shan, and Y. G. Zhu, “Oxalate and root exudates enhance the desorption of p,p'-DDT from soils,” Chemosphere 63, 1273–1279 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. M. J. Macielag, “Chemical properties of antimicrobials and their uniqueness,” in Antibiotic Discovery and Development, Ed. by T. Dougherty and M. Pucci (Springer-Verlag, Boston, 2012).

    Google Scholar 

  74. S. Nardi, E. Sessi, D. Pizzeghello, A. Sturaro, R. Rella, and G. Parvoli, “Biological activity of soil organic matter mobilized by root exudates,” Chemosphere 46, 1075–1081 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. K. Norén and P. Persson, “Adsorption of monocarboxylates at the water/goethite interface: The importance of hydrogen bonding,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 71, 5717–5730 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. M. Ochs, “Influence of humified and non-humified natural organic compounds on mineral dissolution,” Chem. Geol. 132, 119–124 (1996).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. E. Oburger, D. Leitner, D. L. Jones, K. C. Zygalakis, A. Schnepf, and T. Roose, “Adsorption and desorption dynamics of citric acid anions in soil,” Eur. J. Soil Sci. 62, 733–742 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. F. Paris, P. Bonnaud, J. Ranger, and F. Lapeyrie, “In vitro weathering of phlogopite by ectomycorrhizal fungi. I. Effect of K and Mg deficiency on phyllosilicate evolution,” Plant Soil 177, 191–201 (1995).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. F. Paris, B. Botton, and F. Lapeyrie, “In vitro weathering of phlogopite by ectomycorrhizal fungi. II. Effect of K+ and Mg2+ deficiency and N sources on accumulation of oxalate and H+,” Plant Soil 179, 141–150 (1996).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. D. Pizzeghello, A. Zanella, P. Carletti, and S. Nardi, “Chemical and biological characterization of dissolved organic matter from silver fir and beech forest soils,” Chemosphere 65, 190–200 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. K. Raulund-Rasmussen, O. K. Borggaard, H. C. B. Hansen, and M. Olsson, “Effect of natural organic soil solutes on weathering rates of soil minerals,” Eur. J. Soil Sci. 49 (3), 367–523 (1998).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. P. R. Ryan, E. Delhaize, and D. L. Jones, “Function and mechanism of organic anion exudation from plant roots,” Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 52, 527–560 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  83. A. Sandnes, T. D. Eldhuset, and G. Wollebæk, “Organic acids in root exudates and soil solution of Norway spruce and silver birch,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 37, 259–269 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  84. S. K. Song and P. M. Huang, “Dynamics of potassium release from potassium-bearing minerals as influenced by oxalic and citric acids,” Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 52, 383–390 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  85. B. W. Strobel, “Influence of vegetation on low-molecular-weight carboxylic acids in soil solution—a review,” Geoderma 99, 169–198 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. B. W. Strobel, C. B. Hansen, O. Borggaard, M. K. Kersen, and K. Raulund-Rasmussen, “Composition and reactivity of DOC in forest floor soil solutions in relation to tree species and soil type,” Biogeochemistry 56, 1–26 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. W. Stumm, Chemistry of the Solid-Water Interface (Wiley, New York, 1992).

    Google Scholar 

  88. W. Stumm, G. Furrer, E. Wieland, and B. Zinder, “The effects of complex-forming ligands on the dissolution of oxides and alumino-silicates,” in The Chemistry of Weathering, Ed. by J. I. Drever (D. Reidel, Dordrecht, 1985), pp. 55–74.

    Google Scholar 

  89. K. Suominen, V. K. I. Tunen, and A. Smolander, “Characteristics of dissolved organic matter and phenolic compounds in forest soils under silver birch (Betula pendula), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris),” Eur. J. Soil Sci. 54, 287–293 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  90. W. Szymański, “Quantity and chemistry of water-extractable organic matter in surface horizons of Arctic soils under different types of tundra vegetation—A case study from the Fuglebergsletta coastal plain (SW Spitsbergen),” Geoderma 305, 30–39 (2017).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  91. M. Tani and T. Higashi, “Vertical distribution of low molecular weight aliphatic carboxylic acids in some forest soils of Japan,” Eur. J. Soil Sci. 50, 217–226 (1999).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  92. M. M. S. Tuason and J. M. Arocena, “Root organic acid exudates and properties of rhizosphere soils of white spruce (Picea glauca) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa),” Can. J. Soil Sci. 89, 287–300 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  93. F. Valentinuzzi, S. Cesco, N. Tomasi, and T. Mimmo, “Effect of aluminium exposure on the release of organic acids and genistein from the roots of Lupinus albus L. plants,” Rhizosphere 1, 29–32 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  94. G. F. Vance and M. B. David, “Chemical characteristics and acidity of soluble organic substances from a northern hardwood forest floor, central Maine, USA,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 55, 3611–3625 (1991).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  95. P. A. W. van Hees and U. S. Lundström, “Equilibrium models of aluminium and iron complexation with different organic acids in soil solution,” Geoderma 94, 201–221 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  96. P. A. W. van Hees, U. S. Lundström, and R. Giesler, “Low molecular weight organic acids and their Al-complexes in soil solution—composition, distribution and seasonal variation in three podzolized soils,” Geoderma 94, 173–200 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  97. P. A. W. van Hees, U. S. Lundström, M. Starr, and R. Giesler, “Factors influencing aluminum concentrations in soil solution from podzols,” Geoderma 94, 289–310 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  98. P. A. W. van Hees, D. L. Jones, and D. L. Godbold, “Biodegradation of low molecular weight organic acids in coniferous forest podzolic soils,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 34, 1261–1272 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  99. P. A. W. van Hees, U. S. Lundström, and C.‑M. Mörth, “Dissolution of microcline and labradorite in a forest O horizon extract: the effect of naturally occurring organic acids,” Chem. Geol. 189, 199–211 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  100. P. A. W. van Hees, D. L. Godbold, G. Jentschke, and D. L. Jones, “Impact of ectomycorrhizas on the concentration and biodegradation of simple organic acids in a forest soil,” Eur. J. Soil Sci. 54, 697–706 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  101. P. A. W. van Hees, D. L. Jones, and D. L. Godbold, “Biodegradation of low molecular weight organic acids in a limed forest soil,” Water, Air, Soil Pollut. 3, 121–144 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  102. P. A. W. van Hees, D. L. Jones, R. Finlay, D. L. Godbold, and U. S. Lundström, “The carbon we do not see—the impact of low molecular weight compounds on carbon dynamics and respiration in forest soils: a review,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 37, 1–13 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  103. V. Vranova, K. Rejsek, and P. Formanek, “Aliphatic, cyclic, aromatic organic acids, vitamins, carbohydrates in soil: a review,” Sci. World J. 2013, 524239 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/524239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  104. Y. N. Wang, M. K. Wang, S. Y. Zhuang, T. C. Tu, and K. Y. Chiang, “Characterization of low-molecular-weight organic acids and organic carbon of Taiwan red cypress, peacock pine, moso bamboo in a temperate rain forest,” Com. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 38 (1–2), 77–91 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  105. Y. Wang, L. Fang, L. Lin, T. Luan, and N. F. Y. Tam, “Effects of low molecular-weight organic acids and dehydrogenase activity in rhizosphere sediments of mangrove plants on phytoremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,” Chemosphere 99, 152–159 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  106. W. Wang, J. Sun, C. Dong, and B. Lian, “Biotite weathering by Aspergillus niger and its potential utilisation,” J. Soils Sediments 16, 1901–1910 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  107. C. F. Whitehead, R. F. Carbonaro, and A. T. Stone, “Adsorption of benzoic acid and related carboxylic acids onto FeOOH(goethite): the low ionic strength regime,” Aquat. Geochem. 21, 99–121 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  108. S. A. Welch and W. J. Ullman, “The effect of organic acids on plagioclase dissolution rates and stoichiometry,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 57 (12), 2725–2736 (1993).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  109. R. K. Xu, S. C. Xiao, H. Zhang, J. Jiang, and G. L. Ji, “Adsorption of phthalic acid and Salicylic acid by two variable charge soils as influenced by sulphate and phosphate,” Eur. J. Soil Sci. 58, 335–342 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  110. T. Yang, G. Liu, Y. Li, S. Zhu, A. Zou, J. Qi, and Y. Yang, “Rhizosphere microbial communities and organic acids secreted by aluminum-tolerant and aluminum-sensitive soybean in acid soil,” Biol. Fertil. Soils 48, 97–108 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  111. C. Yu, J. F. Devlin, and E. Bi, “Bonding of monocarboxylic acids, monophenols and nonpolar compounds onto goethite,” Chemosphere 214, 158–167 (2019).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  112. X. Zhang, L. Zhang, X. Zou, F. Han, Z. Yan, Z. Li, and S. Hu, “Semi-quantitative analysis of microbial production of oxalic acid by montmorillonite sorption and ATR-IR,” Appl. Clay Sci. 162, 518–523 (2018).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

The work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project no. 19-29-05028 MK).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    T. A. Sokolova

Authors
  1. T. A. Sokolova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. A. Sokolova.

Additional information

Translated by G. Chirikova

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sokolova, T.A. Low-Molecular-Weight Organic Acids in Soils: Sources, Composition, Concentrations, and Functions: A Review. Eurasian Soil Sc. 53, 580–594 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1064229320050154

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1064229320050154

Keywords:

Search

Navigation