Current Publications on Humic Substances in China

A note by R. Liu, Jianming Xu, and H.H. Cheng, December 4, 1996

Humic substance research in China has been very active since early 1970's. Current research work has been involving

environmental science, public health, animal feeding, water quality, as well as various aspects of agriculture. There are also

reports on the application of humic acids in petroleum industry. However, between 1970's to early 1990's, Chinese

scientists have not had effective communications with foreign scientists in this area of research. Many researchers knew little

about the international standards, nor the existence of the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS). With the

sponsorship by China Soil Science Society as well as our own efforts, we have successfully established the Chinese Humic

Substances Chapter. It is affiliated with the IHSS (See news report on this issue). We would like to report briefly on the

journals which publish reports on humic substances research.

A majority of humus researchers are working for various agricultural universities, governmental institutes, and local

governmental units. Among them, the Institute of Soil Science, Academia Sinica, in Nanjing is one of the premier units

involved in humus researches. Based on a recent database search, we found that there were about 120 research papers

published in various journals from 1989 to the present. The following are a few examples to illustrate the type of research

efforts existing in China. For instance: Cheng Li-li et al., 1992. Effects of water regime and reactions of soil on properties of

newly-formed humic substances. Pedosphere, 2:1:51-61. The Journal "Pedosphere" is published in English. The journal

"Acta Pedologica Sinica" is published in Chinese by the Institute of Soil Science, Academia Sinica. It contains a number of

significant research reports on humus; e.g. Xu, Jianming et al., 1995. Formation and binding characteristics of soil

combined humus. Acta Pedologica Sinica 32(2); Zhao Binjun & Wen Qixiao, 1988. Effect of calcareous parent materials on

the composition and characteristics of soil humus. Acta pedologic Sinica 25(3).

In addition to the two journals cited above, humic substances articles are published in the following scientific journals: Acta

Ecologica Sinica, Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae, China Environmental Science, Chinese Journal of Public Health, Chinese

Journal of Soil Science, Environmental Chemistry, Progress in Soil Science, Soils, Soils and Fertilizers, Tillage and

Cultivation.

Humic substances publications can also be found in university publications: Acta Guang Xi Medical Science University, Acta

Universitatis Agriculturals Boreali-occidentalis, Journal of Huazhong (Central China) Agricultural University, Journal of

Jilin Agricultural University, Journal of Nanjing Agricultural University, Journal of Shenyang Agricultural University,

Journal of Shandong Agricultural University. There are numerous publications on humus research by provincial

governmental units. Most papers published in these journals however have limited scope and are focused mainly on the

application aspects.

Of special interest to the IHSS community is a journal called "Fu Zhi Suan (Humic Acids)". This journal is published

by the China Humic Acid Industrial Association and the Office of Humic Acids, under Jiangxi Provincial Government. Due

to the potential application of humic acids in medicine as well as in industry, a specialized medical section under this

association was established for studying possible applications of humic acids in pharmaceutical and medical treatments.

Examples from this journal include papers: "Influence of sodium humate on contracting reaction of human uterus in vitro"

(No.1, 1996), "328 examples of FA bath treatment for curing of joint swelling and pain" (NO.2, 1996). Major sections in

this journal include a review and commentary, experiment and research, technology and equipment, analytical method and

quality control, and translation and digests. An English title is included in each issue. The journal published its first issue in

October, 1979. So far over 70 issues were published to date on a quarter base.

In summary, the humic researches in China have made rapid progress in recent years. Many reports are on the potential

applications of humic substances. However, the mechanisms involved in these applications are still not yet clear. Current

techniques for characterizing methods and IHSS standards are not widely used. This search covered only a small fraction of

information from a vast database. Most original papers are not available at the time of search. Please be reminded that if any

translation in this short review is different from the authors, please follow their original titles.