Humus is partially decomposed soil organic matter. Humalite is one type of humus materials found adjacent to sub-bituminous coalfields in Alberta, Canada. Humalite is similar to lignite and leonardite, but is lower in ash and toxic metals. This makes humalite one of the highest quality humus materials in the world.
Different from ordinary coal, humalite has low energy / BTU values, instead it is rich in humic substances, large and negatively charged colloidal organic matters containing carboxylic (COOH), phenol-OH, and quinonic (C=O) groups. Materials rich in humic substances are also called humates. Research shows that components of humic substances based upon their solubility in water can be identified as follows.
- Fulvic acid: soluble at any pH, smallest molecular weight, dominant in O
- Humic acid: soluble at pH > 2, medium molecular weight, balance in O and C.
- Humin: insoluble at any pH, largest molecular weight, dominant in C.
Research shows the following benefits of humic substances. Humic substances improve soil texture and water retention. They provide available carbon to microorganisms. Humic substances perform similarly to auxin type of growth hormone, enhancing living cell metabolism and growth. They also function as surfactants and chelating agents (high cation exchange capacity, CEC). Humic substances are generally safe to the environment and living organisms. Research identifies several applications of humic substances including:
Applications of humic substances include:
- Agricultural / horticultural and turf (as soil amendment and foliar spray): plant growth, nutrients uptake, soil texture and soil microbial growth.
- Environmental (as soil amendment and treatment agent): hydrocarbon and salt remediation, hydrocarbon flushing, toxicity reduction of mine tailings, sludge digestion and odor control of waste.
- Industrial (as drilling fluid additive): fluid loss and rheology control.
- Soil stabilization agent, fertilizer binder, livestock feed supplement and others.
Our main products include granular, powder, liquid, and dry soluble. Our granular and powder products are natural and receive no chemical treatment (listed by the Organic Material Review Institute, OMRI and certified by Organic Crop Improvement Association, OCIA). Our liquid humus products (OMRI listed) are available at 6 or 12% strength. It is around neutral pH and has no sediment. We also have a liquid fulvic product at low pH. Our dry soluble product is readily soluble in water to make a liquid humic acid solution without any sediment.
Disclaimer:
Not all products listed are available for purchase or authorized for use in every state. In addition, some states, countries and cities may require special licensing and training to sell, purchase or apply some of the products presented in this web page. It is the responsibility of the distributor, retailer or professional applicator to verify, before product sale/purchase, that the product is approved for the use intended in their state, country and city.