Methods for the comparison of fulvic acid samples: the effects of origin and concentration on acidic properties

Abstract
The principles according to which the acidic properties of fulvic acid solutions should be compared are demonstrated. An equilibrium function defined and measured for any mixture, including fulvic acid functional groups, will be a weighted average. A concentration change will generally affect this average by changing the relative values of the statistical weights. Concentration corrections are therefore required for the comparison of two fulvic acid solutions. A Chernozem Ah fulvic acid and the previously described Armadale fulvic acid Batch FA1 were examined in this way. They were found to have the same general chemical characteristics, but with somewhat different numerical values. The implications of these results for the definition of fulvic acid are considered.