Humic acids optical properties of rendzina soils in diverse environmental conditions of Serbia

Abstract

This study examined the impact of climate, altitude and landforms on humic acids (HA) optical properties (E-4/E-6, Delta logK, RF indexes) in Serbian Rendzina soils. HA humification degree of calcareous and decarbonated Rendzinas under natural vegetation (forest and grassland, separately) decreased with altitude increasing. This particular rule was not manifested in arable Rendzinas. HA humification degree in Rendzinas on flat positions (hilltop and footslope) is significantly higher than in Rendzinas on slope sides. Humification degree of HA is the highest in Rendzinas in eastern Serbia (in the vicinity of Negotin), followed by central Serbia (Sumadija) and Srem, southeast and finally, southeast and southwest Serbia. With respect to the climate change foreseen for the end of this century, i.e. increase of precipitation and temperature variance among the regions in Serbia, also an increase in variance of quality of humic acids in Rendzinas on different altitudes and regions can be expected.