Effect of soil invertebrates on the formation of humic substances under laboratory conditions

The complete polymerization of phenols and proteins (one of the processes involved in the formation of humic substances) was explained. It was shown that fly (Bibio marci) larvae and earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa) participate in the complete polymerization of phenols and proteins. In a laboratory experiment, invertebrates participated in the degradation of organic matter and the synthesis of humic substances, which was proved in experiments with ¹⁴C-labeled phenols and proteins. The same organic substances (phenols and proteins) without the impact of invertebrates were used as the control substances. The distributions of the ¹⁴C isotope in alkaline extracts separated by solubility in acids (humic and fulvic acids) was compared to those of the control substances. The portion of the ¹⁴C isotope in the humic acids in the excrements of Bibio marci was higher than that in the control substances. The content of ¹⁴C-labeled humic substances in the excrements of the earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa exceeded the control values only in the experiment with proteins. When clay material was added to the organic substances, the portion of the ¹⁴C isotope in the humic acids increased in both experiments with phenols and proteins. When these substrates passed through the digestive tracts of the invertebrates, the polymerization of organic substances and the inclusion of proteins and phenols into humic acids occurred.