Geochemistry of Marine Humic Compounds

1 Origin and Distribution of Organic Compounds in the Marine Environment.- Evolution of Life and Development of Organic Matter.- Distribution of Organic Matter in Oceans and on Land.- Nature and Fate of Organic Matter.- Aggregation, Sedimentation, and Distribution of Organic Matter.- Summary.- 2 Humifícation—A Major Biogeochemical Phenomenon.- Nature of Microbial Population.- Chemical Composition of Organisms.- Some Major Cellular Constituents and Products of their Microbial Degradation.- Formation of Humus.- Distribution of Humic Compounds in the Marine Environment.- Summary.- 3 Physico-chemical Characteristics of Marine Humic Compounds.- Major Components of Humic Substances.- Chemical Composition and Characterization.- Some Striking Differences and Similarities in the Physico-chemical Characteristics of Marine and Terrestrial Humic Compounds.- Summary.- 4 Organo-metal Reactions and their Geochemical Significance.- Humus as a Natural Absorbent.- Physico-chemical Properties of Humic Compounds in Relation to Organo-metal Reactions.- Mechanisms of Organo-metal Interactions.- Bonding Strength.- Implications of Organo-metal Reactions.- Research Proposals.- Summary.- 5 Reactions of Humic Compounds with Sedimentary Minerals.- Clay Minerals and their Types.- Physico-chemical Properties of Humic Compounds and Organo-clay Complexes.- Mechanisms of Organo-clay Interactions.- Ramifications of Organo-clay Complexes.- A Few Research Proposals.- Summary and Conclusions.- 6 Diagenetic Transformations of Humic Compounds.- Diagenesis.- Catagenesis.- Metagenesis.- Summary and Conclusions.- 7 Paleo- and Contemporary Environmental Implications of Humic Compounds.- Paleohumus as a Geological Marker and Environmental Indicator.- Potential Application of Humic Acid Geochemistry inSolving.- Contemporary Environmental Concerns.- Summary.- 8 Role of Humic Compounds in Aquatic Productivity.- Biological Conditioning of Sea Water and Primary Productivity.- Humic Compounds and Growth Response of Phytoplankton.- Role of Humic Compounds on the Physiology and Metabolism of Higher Plants.- Possible Mechanisms of the Biological Effect of Humic Compounds.- Ecological Implications.- Research Prospects.- Summary.