Humic substances in surface waters of Latvia

The properties of aquatic humic substances from bog waters in Latvia as the main factor determining natural acidity were studied. The elemental, functional, mass-molecular and spectra of bog humic substances indicated the major role of their origin on the properties. Humic substances from different water bodies which principally differ in properties, indicated variable intensity of processes of biological transformation of organic matter. Results showed that even in a small territory such as Latvia, it is impossible to isolate one reference sample which could be able to represent a typical humic substance.