Low Molecular Weight Organic Acids in Soil Environment

Abstract

Low molecular weight organic acids represent an important component of soil dissolved organic carbon. They are introduced to the soil system as root exudates and microbial metabolites or via microbial induced organic matter decomposition. Due to their chemical properties, low molecular weight organic acids affect broad range of the soil processes and are responsible for changes in a number of soil factors. These naturally occurring organic substances play an important role in the solubilization and weathering of soil minerals or in the formation of various complexes with metals, influencing mobility of nutrients or even potentially toxic elements.