Ateneo - UPO

Fundamentals of soil organic matter. Soil organic matter is the fraction consisting of plant or animal tissues in various stages of decomposition and is responsible for contributing to soil productivity in different ways. In soil organic matter we can find: - simple substances such as amino acids, sugars, mono- and bicarboxylic organic acids; - high molecular weight compounds such as polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and lignins; vitamins - humic substances. Their function is to give the soil structure, porosity, water retention capacity, cation and anion exchange, and are involved in the chelation of mineral elements.

Slides provided by the lecturer.

Provide the candidates the basic elements for understanding and studying the organic component of soil.

Basic concepts of general chemistry

The theoretical part is organized in lectures on the topics indicated in the content section. In the University's “moodle” platform, the lecture material projected in the classroom during the lectures can be found and downloaded

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam will be a set of multiple-choice questions aimed at developing the attitude to critical thinking of the candidate

Soil as a living system. Definition of SOIL ORGANIC MATTER (sol). SOM composition. Carbohydrates: structure and chemical characteristics; simple and complex carbohydrates; identification of monosaccharides in soil; polysaccharides. Amino acids and peptides: functions, structure, essential and nonessential amino acids; D-amino acids; origin in soil. Lipids: physicochemical properties; paraffinic hydrocarbons, phospholipids, fats, waxes, fatty acids and terpenoids; effects. Organic acids: aliphatic and aromatic (examples); role in formation of Aluminum (Al) and Iron (Fe) complexes, role in phytodepuration of polluted soils, availability of heavy metals, adsorption of PAHs. Aromatic compounds: phenol, gallic acid and tannins. Degradation by fungi. Vitamins: soluble and fat-soluble, abundance in soils. Lignins: structure and function; use in the biopolymer industry. Humic substances: definition and role; UMINA: composition and properties; HUMIC ACIDS: definition, composition and properties, functions in soil; FULVIC ACIDS: definition, composition, properties and functions. Extraction of humic and fulvic acids from soil.

Recognize biomolecules and components found in organic matter and identify their functions.