Semi-humic organic carbon material and methods of use thereof

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a semi-humic material, and compositions comprising the same, obtained from leonardite ore and a non-humic organic carbon source and a process for obtaining the same. Also described are methods for maintaining more available nitrogen and phosphorus in the plant root zone and minimizing premature leaching and loss of the nitrogen and/or phosphorus into the atmosphere, surface waters and/or subsurface ground water.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A semi-humic composition derived from leonardite wherein greater than 5% of molecules having a molecular formula between m/z 120-500 are classified as carbohydrate and less than 15% of molecules having a molecular formula between m/z 120-500 are classified as condensed aromatic as determined by Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). 
     
     
         2 . The semi-humic composition of  claim 1 , wherein about 12% of molecules having a molecular formula between m/z 120-500 are classified as condensed aromatic by FTICR-MS. 
     
     
         3 . The semi-humic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the pH is from about 5 to about 9. 
     
     
         4 . The semi-humic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-humic composition comprises a fulvic-like fraction, as determined by the CDFA Humic Acid Method, having at least about 7.6 percent Carbon by weight, and wherein at least a portion of the percent Carbon in the fulvic-like fraction is attributed to a low molecular weight humin component. 
     
     
         5 . A semi-humic composition substantially characterized by the Van Krevelen Diagram shown in  FIG. 19A . 
     
     
         6 . An aqueous composition comprising the semi-humic composition of  claim 1  and at least one additional humic extract derived from leonardite. 
     
     
         7 . The aqueous composition of  claim 6 , wherein the aqueous composition comprises the semi-humic composition in an amount from about 1% to about 10% by weight. 
     
     
         8 . The aqueous composition of  claim 6 , wherein the aqueous composition comprises the additional humic extract in an amount from about 30% to about 99% by weight. 
     
     
         9 . A method of reducing nitrate leaching into soil comprising applying the semi-humic composition of  claim 1  to soil. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the semi-humic composition is applied to the soil as an aqueous composition comprising the semi-humic composition at a rate of 5-15,000 liters per hectare. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the soil has been fertilized. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising applying a fertilizer to the soil. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein water is applied to the soil with the semi-humic material. 
     
     
         14 . A method of reducing phosphorus and/or ammonium runoff from soil comprising applying the semi-humic composition of  claim 1  to soil. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the semi-humic composition is applied to the soil as an aqueous composition comprising the semi-humic composition at a rate of 5-15,000 liters per hectare. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the soil has been fertilized. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising applying a fertilizer to the soil. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the fertilizer is diammonium phosphate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein water is applied to the soil with the semi-humic material.