Elemental Composition Of The Humic Acids In The High-Moor Peats Of The Western Siberia Taiga Zone

The article presents the results of a study concerning the elemental composition of the humic acids extracted from the peats of stratigraphic column in Mukhrino bog located in the Middle Taiga of Western Siberia. Description of the botanical composition and a degree of decomposition of the original peats are presented herein. The carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur in humic acids are recalculated with reference to the anhydrous and ashless substance. The common borders are presented, in which the mass fractions of carbon (50.30 - 59.30%), oxygen (29.58 - 38.10%), hydrogen (4.68 - 6.13%), nitrogen (2.69 - 5.95%), and sulfur (0.10 - 1.87%) change. The elemental analysis data of the humic acids were grouped according to the original peat's botanical composition, and the average mass fractions were found. The humic acids extracted from the sphagnum peats have the highest carbon content of about 58%, however, the species differences do not make a significant difference. The carbon mass fraction of scheuchzeria peat is lower and amounts to about 56%. Grass-hypnum sapropel - 54%. Sapropel - 52%. The atomic ratios H/C, (H/C)(cor). and O/C were calculated for the groups extracted on the basis of their botanical composition. The diagram of atomic ratios was constructed in coordinates (H/C)(cor). -O/C. Based on the diagram, five groups of the humic acids that differ in original peat depth were identified.