Summary
This 2023 narrative review synthesises current knowledge on extracting and characterising humic substances from unconventional waste-derived sources as sustainable alternatives to finite peat reserves. The authors evaluate extraction methods, resulting material properties, agronomic promise, and environmental fate of these substances in soil systems. The work addresses the transition towards circular, waste-derived soil amendments for sustainable farming, though specific field performance data remain limited across extraction pathways.
UK applicability
Findings are directly relevant to UK soil health and circular economy policy, particularly given the ban on peat in amateur horticulture and the growing emphasis on waste valorisation. UK peatland restoration and sustainable soil amendment strategies could benefit from such alternative humic sources, though local availability and cost-effectiveness of specific waste streams require further investigation.
Key measures
Extraction efficiency; chemical composition and structural properties of humic substances; agronomic efficacy in soil amendment; soil persistence; environmental impact; biodegradability and leaching behaviour
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises extraction methods, characterisation of material properties, and environmental behaviour of humic substances derived from industrial by-products, waste streams, and biomass. It evaluates agronomic effectiveness and soil persistence of these alternative humic sources as peat replacements.
Topic tags
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