Acid/base and complexation properties of humic and fulvic acids isolated from vermicompost

Proton binding properties of humic and fulvic acids were studied by potentiometric titration. Carboxylic groups were the predominant ionizable sites in comparison to phenolic and amine groups. Total acidity of fulvic acid was 12 x 10(-3) mol g(-1), a number significantly higher than that obtained for humic acid (5.2 x 10(-3) mol g(-1)). Copper ion binding was evaluated at pH 4, 5 and 6 by potentiometric titration with an ion selective electrode for Cu(II). Differential stability constants and complexation capacities were systematically higher for humic acid, despite its lower number of ionizable sites in comparison with fulvic acid.