BUUUUUUGGGGGGER!!!!! misfratz???

[clappamungus]

Remember how you found the ratios of C:N:S in casein for me?

Any idea where I can find the same info for humic acids and lignin??

*head-desk*

Comments

[misfratz.livejournal.com]

Ok, I'm working on it. However, I really don't think I'm going to have much luck on the humic acid, because it's so variable. Do you have a mass spectrometry facility at the uni? They really should be able to help you out with the specific composition of the samples (I'm assuming) you're using, because as I remember there can be variation between specific soil/environment types.

[misfratz.livejournal.com]

e.g. http://www.chemistry.ohio-state.edu/~hatcher/projects/humic.htm for humic acids. You can see there's quite a difference.

I'm not sure whether my journal access is still working from exeter, and I've not yet got it from aberdeen, so I'll have to see what I can to get in terms of papers. Can't find any sodding chemical companies specs for either, little buggers.

[clappamungus.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that mate!

Can't find any sodding chemical companies specs for either, little buggers.

That's exactly the problem!!

The "samples" are actually manufacturer's grade products - it's just that because they're such undifferentiated compounds in the first place - and I'm assuming they change from batch to batch - that they don't bother. All I want is a general breakdown of the C:N:(And if there is any)P:S ratios, as I'm adding them to microcosms. It's been extremely frustrating. I actually found a paper that figured out the relative composition for humic acids already and now I'm trying to find it for lignin, but the information is as rare as rocking-horse shit unfortunately.

Anyway, all assistance is greatly appreciated, trust me! I think the missus and I are coming to the UK next year - I will definitely be buying you pints.

[misfratz.livejournal.com]

"Lignin Ratio of MeO to C9 — Lignin empirical formulae are based on ratios of methoxy groups to phenylpropanoid groups (MeO:C9). The general empirical formula for lignin monomers is C9H10O2 (OCH3)n, where n is the ratio of MeO to C9 groups. Where no experimental ratios have been found, they are estimated as follows: 0.94 for softwoods; 1.18 for grasses; 1.4 for hardwoods. These are averages of the lignin ratios found in the literature. Paper products, which are produced primarily from softwoods, are estimated to have an MeO:C9 ratio of 0.94."
- is the best I've found so far.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/feedstock_glossary.html
There's not neccessarily going to be that much S at all, unless you're using something that's been 'sulphated'.