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Commission VI
Topic 19 : Peat therapy in the context of peloid supply, treatment,
additives and waste disposal
History
of Peat Therapy in Central Europe
GERD W. LÜTTIG
From time out of mind Man is using the gifts, nature has to
offer, for medical purposes, and alongside of medical herbs
and mineral and thermal waters material from the lithosphere,
like rocks, soils and minerals, is used in what we may call
geomedicine. Therapeutical use of peloids has a long tradition
in many a culture area. But peat therapy – in the sence
of a systematic, sophisticated and scientifically based medical
treatment – is undoubtlessly a Central European application-system.
Like mineral water cures, peat mud baths were applicated in
Bohemia first, and from there it spread to other places of ancient
Austria, Germany, Poland a.s.o..
In the same time and way mineral water and peat bath cures gave
rise to the development of spas and health resorts, and this
is to be found in a high standard in Central Europe as well.
In the beginning these spas were centres and rendezvous places
of aristocracy and combined with high cultural value indeed,
but nowadays they have been opened to the people as a whole,
serving for popular health in a superb manner. However, this
role is not recognized adequately by some circles of society,
and this is a grave fault. Therefore, it is necessary to point
out again and again which feats have been brought by curative
medicine, mainly in the field of gynecology and rheumatology,
and which are the socio-economic advantages of health resorts
for the public.
Physical mainly thermal impact of peat-mud baths and compresses
is well known and approved for a long time, and recently the
knowledge about biochemical impact has got big support. This
had led to an opening of new applications, from dermatology,
ophthalmology and other fields of human medicine to veterinary
medicine, not to forget the possibilities which come from the
use of preparations made from peat and related organic materials.
Author's address:
Prof. Dr. G.W. Luttig, Wittinger Str. 126, D-29223 Celle.
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Commission VI
Topic 20 : Therapeutical use of peat and substances extracted
from peat
Fertility
disorders and indication for vaginal peat therapy
ANDRÉ MICHAEL BEER & ROBERT KOVARIK
28 patients were treated with vaginal peat application because
of infertility. The statistical analysis indicates, that vaginal
peat application represents a valuble alternative therapy for
fertility disorders.
All patients tolerated the treatment. 43 % because “better”,
esp. 32 % became pregnant and 11 % ovulated. To be successful,
12 patients needed more than 30 treatments and 16 patients needed
between 21 and 30 treatments.
In patients with ovarian insufficiency the treatment was successful
in about 35 %. Patients with disorders of the fallopian tubes
were treated successfully in 25 %.
The effects of the therapy are explained by an increase of blood
flow and activation of spontaneous contractions of the fallopian
tubes. Humic substances may have similar effects – sometimes
–as hormones.
Author's address:
Dr. MED. ANDRÉ-MICHAEL BEER, Frauenklinik und Hebammenlehranstalt,
Luisenhospital Aachen (Leiter : Prof. Dr. C. Goecke) Boxgraben
99, D-52064 Aachen.
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About
the physiological activity of humic substances derived from
lignin degradation in case of peat therapy
WOLFGANG FLAIG
In between the different physiologically active substances in
peat the lower and higher molecular wheight substances which
are formed in the course of humification by degradation of the
plant lignins, seem to play a more important role in peat than
it was known up to now. With 14c-labelled compounds the different
modes of transformations of lignin degradation can be follwed,
as it is interesting for peat therapy.
One of the most important reactions of the healing effect seems
to be either the addition of the oxidative decarboxylation of
amino-acids or proteins depending upon the substitution of the
phenolic or respective quinonoid compounds. The reaction mechanism
could be elucidated.
Author's address:
Prof. Dr. W. FLAIG, Otto-Hahn-Str. 132, D-97218 Gerbrunn
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Medical impacts of peat therapy
CLAUS GOECKE
In addition to the physical effects of balneological peat-applications
as impacts of temperatur and hydrostatic pressure manifold effects
are known going back to biochemical and pharmacological processes.
Humic substances influence the spontaneous contractility of
the smooth muscules and are responsible for vasodilatation.
By different experimental models it could be proved that peat
substances penetrate the integument and mucous membranes and
act in an immunmodulatoric manner via the langhanns-cells of
the skin.
Additionally, it could be shown that humic acids (gallic acid,
vanillinic acid) and catabolism products of lignins are blocking
as well the prostaglandin as the leucotrien synthesis and in
this way acting antiphlogistically.
Moreever, there are indications about a huminate-epidermis interaction.
Huminate can be fixed at cells of the epidermis and at granulocytes,
so that a production of zytokins is triggered which might be
receptorinduced. These receptor structures may act on places
where lectine if fixed. So this way of acting is responsible
for virus-cell interactions.
These observations have brought upon the studies about the therapy
of genital HPV-infections and precancerous lesions of the uteri
portio.
Author's address:
Prof. Dr Med. C. Goecke Frauenklinik,
Luisenhospital, Boxgraben 99, 52064 Aachen
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Rehabilitation
effects of physiologically active humic adaptogens
ALLA GOROVAYA, TATYANA SKVORTSOVA & ALEXANDER SKVORTSOV
The study has revealed that rise in contamination in the terrain
increases the quantity of genic mutations, chromosomal aberrations,
sterility of sex cells and reduces an energy efficient operation
of reaction centers of photosynthetic system. At the same time
the quantity of children’s cytogenetic disturbances grows
and the rate of congenital anomalies and oncological illnesses
increases.
It is demonstrated that physiologically active humic substances
of peat and lignite have a modifying effect on different organisms
damaged by unfavourable environmental impact. This is achieved
due to stabilization of biomembranes, prcesses of DNA, RNA,
ATP synthesis, cell division, immunological status, structural
and functional stability and other mechanisms. It shows itself,
first of all, in decrease of ecologically dependent diseases
of the population of man. Thus, there appears the possibility
to block migration routes of ecotoxicants within trophic chains
with humic substances. This will result in obtaining of clean
food products, environmental improvement and drop in frequency
of illnesses of genic origin among children utilization of sodium
humate as an immunocorrector to treat the ill persons with secondary
immune violations has brought about normalization of parameters,
which correlates to clinical improvement.
Author's address:
Prof. Dr. ALLA GOROVAYA, TATYANA SKVORTSOVA, ALEXANDER SKVORTSOV
Department of Cytoecology, Institue of Problems on Nature Management
and Écology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine;
6, Moskovskaya Str., Dnepropetrovsk, 320600, Ukraine.
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Effects
of mud-baths for rheumatic patients in Bad Aibling
JÜRGEN KLEINSCHMIDT
Spa-treatment concerns about 20-30 different therapeutical events
during a time course of 3-6 weeks. One of those events are mud-baths,
repeated every 2 or 3 days. There is no doubt, that SPA-therapy
is significant successful, referring to clinical parameters
like mobility, blood laboratory, staying power, and others.
But it is extremely difficult, to point out the most+ important
event within SPA-treatments for the documented therapeutical
effects.
Even in therapeutical mud baths, which are known as one of the
most powerful thermical affects in SPA-therapy, there is almost
no change to repeat former investigations of DREXEL AND DIRNAGL
with patients, who were treated solely with conductive mud baths
or with convective liquid baths contenting chemical subtrates
from mud : they showed significant better blood parameters in
mud-baths versus liquid bath. So instead of longduring therapeutical
SPA-effects we restricted to thermal immediate effects to thermal
immediate effects, comparing mud baths and low-concentrated
salt-well bath. It can be shown that convective bath are limited
to application temperature up to 39OC, while the applicated
temperature in mud bath can be 41OC and higher. On the other
side the combined local hypertherming effect to articulations
in mud baths couldn’t be proved as significantly better
than in salt-well baths.
The consequence can’t be to avoid the expensive mud bath,
but to use other physiological or medical methods to discover
in patients the effects of those differences, which doubtless
can be measured in physical analysis of mud.
Author's address:
Univ. — Prof.Dr.Dr.Dipl. — Phys. Jürgen KLEINSCHMIDT,
Institut für Medizinische Balnéologie u. Klimatol.
der
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität,
Marchioninistr. 17 D-81377 M ü n c h e n
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Physical-chemical
properties and geological setting of peat species suitable for
use as bath peat
RIITTA KCRHONEN
The physicial and chemical properties and geological setting
of 10 peat bogs were studied in order to clarify the balneological
characteristics of Finnish peat. The research localities were
choosen from areas of different peat association type. The studied
bogs represent plateau bogs, concentric and eccentric raised
bogs and the southern and main aapa mires.
The physical characteristics of the peat species were examined
using 135 samples. The chemical character of 75 samples was
assested and inorganic cations were determined in 62 samples.
The average degree of humification of peat samples is 6,8 (von
Post scale), their average ph is 4,3, their water content is
87 % of their wet weight, their dry volume weight is 129,4 kg/m3
and their ash content is 4,4 % of their dry weight.
The heat retention capacities of the different peat species
were tested by cooling of a water-peat mixture to simulate a
peat bath. Peat mixtures from four bogs did not cool at all
and six bog samples cooled less then 1oC in 20 minutes. This
time is the usual treatment period in peat therapy and during
it the water cooled by an average of 3,5o C.
The results of chemical characterization were compared with
the degree of humification of the peat species. The peat species
were divided into three classes : Sphagnum (S) and Carex (C)
peats and a combination of these (SC-, CS peats). In all of
these, there is a clear positive correlation between humic acids
and the degree of humification. The correlation with humines,
and the degree of humification. The correlation with humines
fulvic acids and pectines is negative. The amount of extract
correlates weakly with Sphagnum peat, does not correlate with
Carex peat and only weakly correlates with SC-CS peats. Additionally,
the amount of wax weakly correlates with the degree of humification
of Sphagnum peat, but in Carex and SC-CS peats this correlation
is negative. The average humic acid content of Sphagnum peat
is 24 %, 25,8 % in Carex peat and 27 % in SC-CS peats. Humic
acids make up, on average, 64 % of Sphagnum peat, 54,6 % of
Carex peat and 57,6 % of SC-CS peats. The average hemicellulose
content of Sphagnum peat is 26 %, 23 % in Carex peat and 20,8
% in SC-CS peats. The average wax content of Sphagnum is 55,5
%, 64,7 % in Carex peats and 65,8 % in SC-CS peats.
Author's address:
Geological Survey of Finland, SF-02150 Espoo, Finland
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A new antiulcer agent from peat and Sphagnum
fuscum
(NFS)
OLGA PANINA, LUBOV KASIMOVA, YELENA KOBSEVA, & NADESDA SOROKINA
In these days researchers are increasingly interested on extracts
from peat, some varieties of which are of high biological activity,
influence favourably the growth development, non specific and
specific (immunity) resistance of high plants and animals. The
NFS humic extract produced from mixture of the raised-bog peat
and Sphagnum fuscum by means of alkaline hydrolysis in the presence
of hydrogen peroxide falls under this class.
The high preventive and medicinal properties of the preparation
were demonstrated on five models of acute and chronic stomach
ulcer. Besides, the antistress analgezing, antitumoural, hepatoprotective
efficiency of the agent is established and, in addition , it
is able to increase the physical capacity for work and to decrease
the manifestation of allergic reactions.
It has been proved that the NFS extract doesn’t have any
acute and chronic toxic ability, nor does it affect harmfully
the reproductive organs, the embriogenesis process and neonatal
development of prgeny; neither does it increase the number of
mutatious in frequency nor cause any allergic manifestations.
Author's address:
Dr OLGA PANINA et.al.,
Siberian Research Institute of Peat of Siberian Branch of the
Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gagarin - Str. 3,
634050, Tomsk, Russia
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Biologically
active extracts of peat and peat forming plants
LUDMILA S. SHEREMET
The impact of initial matter on the yield and biological active
extracts of peat and peat forming plants were studied. It was
shown that all peat forming plants extracts and corresponding
kinds of peat contain quite a quantity of biologically active
substances such as threeterpenoids. It determines a broad spectra
of biological activity of these extracts. It was stated the
quantitative contents of threeterpenoid is slightly reduced
in the process of transmition from peat forming plants to peat.
Biologically active extracts of peat and peat forming plants
are widely used in medicine and cosmetic production.
Author's address:
Dr L S. Sheremet,
Institute For Problems of Natural Resources Use @ Écology,
10,
Staroborisovsky Trakt, Minsk, Belarus, 220114.
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Natural
Adaptogenous Substances from Peat
VERA P. SOLOVIEVA, HELENA P. SOTNIKOVA & TAMARA D. LOTOSH
The prospects of further elaboration’s on curative drugs
from peat are motivated by their ability to make more active
the adaptionsystems of an organism. Many year’s experience
in clinical medicine has confirmed high efficiency of TORFOT
for injections (peat distillate) as a stimulator for general
resistance of human body and regeneration processes, as well
as non-specific immunomodulator.
We have elaborated the curative drug – huminate pills
–consisting of the complex of peat humic acids. High curative
and prophylactic efficiency of this preparation has been proved
on biotests and models of hypoxia, hepatitis, stomach ulser,
immunodeficiency. This preparation enhances resistance and immunobiologic
reactivity / response of the human body, normalises, metabolic
processes, synthesis of proteinenzymes and protective globullin’s,
possesses antistress and antitoxic properties.
Pratically safety, huminate has no teratogenous, embriotoxical,
allergic or cancerogenous properties.
Huminate is recommended as a natural adaptogenous preparation
of a wide spectrum action in physical and psychological tidiness
and exhaustion, professional and age-depending pathology, reduced
immunity as well as in a complex therapy for gastro-enteric
diseases.
Author's address:
Prof. VERA P. SOLOVIEVA, Laboratory of Pharmacology,
The Filatov Research Eye Institute,
Blvd. Le France 49/51 Odessa 270061, UKRAINE
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Permeation through human skin by contents
of peau and their biological effects on the smooth muscles.
ELKE TUSHENN & ANDRE-MICHEAL BEER
The permeation of contents of peat through human skin has been
proofed on the change of the tonic and the phasic activity from
smooth muscles.
For proofing the permeation from organical materials through
human skin, special preparations from tissue were made and the
tissue was brought between two chambers of a permeation model.
Organical substances of peat were investigated in this model
with different tissues in puffer solution dependent on the time.
Then the changes of contractility of the smooth muscles under
the test-solution which contains the permeation material and
under the blind-solution, which contains the test substance,
were investigated on guinea-pig stomach.
The dosisdependent effect of the test-solution and the blind-solution
on the contractility of smooth muscles has been shown. Moreover
an inhibition of contractility of the smooth muscles has been
found after incubating in test-solutions.
Not only the permeation of peat contents through human skin
has been proofed, but also the permeation of biologically effective
peat contents.
Author's address:
Dr. Med. Elke Tuschen, Löhergraben 12. D-52064 Aachen.
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Rehabilitation
effect of humic substances in ecopathological conditions
TATYANA VASSILYEVA, ALLA GOROVAJA, EKATERINA DUKA & NIKOLAJ
KHARITONOV
A positive impact of humic preparations on biological membranes,
cell bioenergetic processes, nucleic acid and protein –
metabolism reparation processes, celle division and other vital
functions has been proved experimentally.
The trend in these days is to investigate the possibilites to
use humic substances in medicine. This utilization is recommended
for prophylaxis and treatment in order to increase the nonspecific
resistance of the human organism under the influences of various
unfavourable factors.
The results of our investigations demonstrate that huminate
is rather effective for treatment of patients with a secondary
immuno-deficient state. As a result of this treatment, normalization
of the immunological parameters correlated with a decrease of
cytogenetic illness and clinical improvement have been observed.
Humic adaptogeneous preparations proved to be rather efficient
for treatment and prophylaxis of recidivating bronchitis of
children living in industrial regions with hightechnogenic load.
Their general state changed into a better one, the immunological
status came to the normal one, occurence of cells with genetical
defects dropped etc.
Author's address:
Dr. TATYANA VASSILYEVA & Dr. EKATERINA DUKA,
Dniepropetrovsk Medical Academy, Dzerginskogo Str. 9A,
320044 Dniepropetrovsk, Ukraine, Dr. ALLA GOROVAJA,
Institute for Problems of Nature Management, Moskovska ja Str.
6,
320600 Dniepropetrovsk, Ukraine. NICOLAJ KHAROTONOV,
Agroecology Institute, Dniepropetrovsk Agrouniversity,
Voroshilov Str. 25, 329927 Dniepropetrovsk, Ukraine
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The
effects of contents of peat on fungal disease
HOMAYOON YOUNOSSI, ROBERT KAVARIK & ANDRE-MICHEAL BEER
Besides the thermal effects of peat treatment the discussion
of chemical effects are important.
Investigations of dermal penetration of humic substances are
in progress. It could be proofed also that peat particals are
visible by mycroscop within skin. The inflammatory, the anticarcinogen
and antiviral effects from humic acids were also investigated.
The peat effects on different types of fungal diseases are not
reliable investigated.
For many years experience with peat therapy on the mycose infection
of the vagina showed bad results.
Therefore, a randomised, controlled and prospective study was
done. Patients with fungal infections of the foot areas (tinea
pedum) caused by Trichophyton rubrum, treated in usual way with
antimycotic, 8 patients were treated every day with a partiell
peatbath.
Regular swab control showed good results, which is demonstrated
in the lecture.
Author's address:
Dr. Med. MOMAYOON YOUNOSSI, Dermatologue,
Kirchstr. 7. D-52531 Übach-Palenberg.
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Biological
activity of peat humic acids
NATALYA YUDINA, SVETLANA PISAREVA & ALBERT SARATIKOV
Humic acids and their fractions have a wide range of therapeutic
action, their biological activity going back to the influence
of redox processes and to the activation of ferment systems.
Depending on their composition humic acids are either stimulating
or inhibiting agents of growth.
We have studied elemental and functional composition of humic
acids isolated from peats and “sapropels” of West
Siberia as well as their influence on the kinetics of the cumene
initiated oxidation. The kinetic parameters characterizing the
oxidative properties of studied samples have been determined.
The therapeutic action of humic acids was examined using tests
of biostimulating activity compared with the standard preparation
TORFOT.
The results obtained showed that the behaviour of humic acids
from peat and soprapel in oxidative processes are differing
very much. In peat humic acids the antioxidants are equally
present with the oxidation initiators, their proportion being
higher in low-moss peat. The oxidation initiators are absent
in humic acids from sapropel. Biostimulation activity tests
confirmed that the peat humic acids having distinct oxidative
properties are increasing the immunity of laboratory animals
to the action of strophantine and strychnine toxic doses.
Author's address:
Dr. NATALYA YUDINA, Dr. SVETLANA PISAREVA,
Institute of Petroleum Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Akademichesky Ave. 3, 634055 Tomsk, Russia. Prof. Dr. ALBERT
SARATIKOV,
Tomsk State Medical University, Uchebnaya Str. 9, 634050 Tomsk,
Russia
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Comparison
of effeiciency of peat pulp and supension sitz-bath in gynecology
KLAUS ZACHARIAS
In balneotherapy of gynecological illnesses peat baths are undoubtlessly
efficient in case of defined indications. This has to do with
the chemical and physical characteristics of peat and its substances.
In practical application different procedures are known. Besides
the quantity of peat which is used in different types of bathtubes
it is consistency which varies. In his own investigations carried
out with 40 patients with chronical adnexitis or adhesion problems
after gynecological operations, the author has compared the
efficiency of sitz-baths with peat pulp and with peat suspension.
All the patients have additionnally been treated with electro-therapy
and remedial gymnastics.
Randomisation was done via coinciding figures. Criteria for
the assessment were intensity and frequency of pain, medicament
taking, gynecological touch-findings, sonography results of
the genital organs and laboratory results at the beginning and
the end of rehabilitation.
Assessment of intensity of pain was done basicly by using the
usual analog range for statistical interpretation via U-test
MANN and WHITNEY. Frequency of pain was registered by means
of a discrete five-step state, basing on the order of rank.
The results in the framework of complex therapy in relation
to the basic balneological therapy will be discussed.
Author's address:
Dr med. KLAUS ZACHARIAS, Vogtlandklinik, Forststr 3, D-08645
Bad Elster.
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Humic
substances and their medical effectiveness
WOLFGANG ZIECHMANN
In the last decades HS have received increasing attention in
the field of human and veterinary medicine. Certainly, this
fact is also conncected with their limited specificity but broad
effectiveness.
An application of HS is possible as a solution in water, peroral,
e.g. for medical attention of the intestinal tract or the stomach.
A treatment of wounds requires the direct application of humic
material.
Altough the utilization of these substances in this direction
may still be a special case in medicine, there is, on the other
hand, a broad application of HS in balneolgoy.
Here various peloids are used such as slime, fango and particulrarly
peat from different peatbog types, with HS as the main constituents.
Besides defined low or high molecular substances. HS, with an
amount of about 25-40 % of dry substance, are of interest here.
To understand the chemical effectiveness caused by HS in human
medicine, two presuppositions have to be observed :
- The strict distinction between humic acids (Ha and their precursors
(HAP) and
- the knowledge as to whether the applied humic fractions are
able to penetrate the
human skin or not.
For distinct effects involved with HS, any penetration into
the skin is of minor importance. The direct effect during an
application as a vulnerary balsam or an oral dispensation is
one of these cases.
Author's address:
Prof. Dr Wolfgang Ziechmann, Kiefernweg 2, D-37085 Göttingen
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Humic Acids
Humic Acids
Awareness:
- Humus, Humic Acid and Chelating Agents * by Craig Bingman
<chingman@netcom.com> (Saturday June 1 1996)
- Humic Acid by Elizabeth Worobel <cworobe@cc.UManitobaCA>
(Saturday June 1 1996)
Humus,
Humic Acid and Natural Chelating Agents
by Craig Bingman <cbingman@netcom.com>
Date : Saturday June 1 1996
> From: Stephen. Pushak@saudan.HAC.COM
> Date: Friday May 31 1996 15:03:07 PDT
> Re: Humus, Humic Acid and Natural Chelating Agents
>
> What does humic acid contain? Is it a mixture of several
organic acids?
> Does it contain EDTA or other chelating agents?
> Are there other chelating agents in humus?
Humic acids are a complex mixture of partially “decomposed”
organic substances, i.e. transformed substances. Their chemical
composition is quite complicated. Fresh water humic acids may
come from a variety of sources, but for the most part, they
come from sources on the ground (surface humus which is in the
process of decomposition). As it is carried off by rivers and
lakes, the decomposing humus undergoes a second stage of transformation
before it is finally transported to the ocean. Most of the humic
acids (but not all) found in sea water originate on land. Most
lignins found in the ocean also come from dry land.
There are several humic acid sub-categories (tannins, lignins,
*fulvic acids*) which are partially re-soluble, when certain
fairly simple physical – chemical criteria are met. However
the criteria used for this classification is basically the suitability
of the methods used and the features which indicate their point
of origin rather than their functional impact on marine ecosystems.
I will not go into the details of the various classes or how
they are differentiated. They all produce a yellowish coloration
in contact with water and they bind with cations, i.e. positive
ions.
They all share the following features:
An important percentage of humic acids are found in the functional
groups of carboxylic acid, which enable these molecules to chelate
with polyvalent positive ions (Mg ++, Ca++, Fe++) with most
other trace elements of plant life value as well as with other
ions that have no positive biological role, such as (Cd++, Pb++).
Ionic chelation is probably the most important role of humic
acid in living systems. Chelation enhances ionic uptake through
various mechanisms, one of which prevents their precipitation
and another of which appears to have a direct positive influence
on their bio-availability. Another paradoxical, yet beneficial,
effect of humic acids is their capacity to detoxify heavy metals.
One might think that such metals would be more rather than less
toxic under the influence of humic acids, but all the studies
I have seen to date indicate that they have a detoxifying capacity.
Humic acids also contain a smaller percentage of phenic acid
functional groups, in which a certain numbers of chemical methods
may be ascertained.
They derive from peptide precursors, lipids and carbon hydrates.
Marine bacteria and enzymes act as mediation agents in their
formation process, i.e. their diagenesis.
They are all chemically complex, undergo multiple decompositions
(demonstrate different decompositions and molecular weights)
and ultimately end in diagenetic states, that can not be easily
further modified.
Humic Acids
Humic acids from ground sources tend to be more aromatic in
nature (since they have more benzene similar components and
phenol), whereas humic acids from marine sources tend to be
more aliphatic in their natural state. Distribution rates seem
to overlap, and this is a major difference. There are certainly
aliphatic like elements (fat, oils, lipids) in ground source
humic acids, just as there are aromatic components in marine
source humic acids ( I previously measured the phenol compounds
derived from the fauna).
A short time ago, I wrote an article for Aquarium Frontiers
which outlined the effects of humic acids (and their elimination
from the system) on the penetration of visible and ultraviolet
light. Humic acids should have a similar role on light transmission
in fresh water basins, in which vegetation is present. It is
not important for me to know how sensitive your plants are to
UV radiation or what the UV flow is in the light source you
use. Dana Riddle has written an article for the next issue of
AF in which she describes the quantity of UV emissions that
come from different (but not all) light sources that are used
in the marine environment, including some of the ones that you
currently use. We have a fresh water basin with vegetation in
the laboratory, which I must treat with activated carbon for
a certain time. We apply an incandescent light to the latter
(which was not my decision) because if it was up to me, I would
have preferred to suspend metallic halide pendants over the
basin. It is unlikely that we will observe significant and rapid
biological effects, because UV emission in this set up are practically
speaking non-existent.
With regards to the synthetic compound, ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic
acid, known more commonly as EDTA, this compound is a powerful
chelating agent that consists of four COOO groups – that
are supported by a very short aliphatic structure. It is a powerful
chelating agent that can, to a certain extent, imitate the chelation
of metallic ions by marine source humic acids. Although it is
not known whether or not EDTA has already been isolated from
natural humic acids, it may be present in very low concentrations.
The important thing to remember is that it is similar to other
humic acids with respect to its state and its functions.
Humic acids, or other molecules with similar properties, have
probably always existed and acted as safeguards for life forms,
which in a sense depend on them. Molecules with similar functions
may very likely have been produced abiotically, even before
life existed. The aqueous substance that is produced when energy
passes through a mixture of gas reductions, like those that
existed in the earth’s primordial atmosphere, has features
that are very similar to those of humic acids.
Most trace element supplements contain some sort of chelating
agent (EDTA or some other similarly functioning compound) that
is needed to help stabilize the metallic ions that are in transition
in the solution. Peat is a rich source of humic acids as are
decomposing floating wood, and the diagenetic fish excrement
in the substratum of your marine environment. The “hemoglobinuric
extract” seems mainly to come from humic acids.
Humic acids are suppressed by activated carbon. This has significant
implications for the type of trace elements found in the aquatic
environment, especially for a fresh water environment, as is
the case in this formulation.
Craig Bingman
Science Editor
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Humic Acid
By Elizabeth Worobel <eworobe@cc.UManitobqa.CA>
Date : Saturday June 1 1996
Humic acid is a dense compound that is refractive for aromatic
organic acids. It is both complex and variable and, to my knowledge,
has not yet been characterized to any degree (with the exception
perhaps for a few of its numerous functional groups). Humic
acid contains sulphur, nitrogen and phosphorous in varying quantities.
It also contains metals such as Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, etc. which can
be chelated, although through what means remains yet to be defined.
Humic acid may be classified in two groups based on polarity
and size.
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