Complex-forming properties of peat humic acids from a raised bog profiles

Abstract Humic substances (HS) belong to the most powerful complex-forming agents, significantly affecting major and trace element speciation in natural environment. Several authors have focused on humic–metal interactions, using differing methods and comparing humic substances on different sources. However, the intrinsic differences among the HS of different origin and the impact of humification degree on the complex formation between humic substances and metals have not received the necessary attention until now. The aim of this study is to determine the Cu(II) complexing capacity and stability constants of Cu(II) complexes of humic acids (HA) isolated from two well-characterized raised b…