Structural changes in lipid-free humic acids during composting of sewage sludge

Structural changes in humic acids (HAs), extracted after lipid removal from sewage sludge during composting, were investigated using various chemical methods (elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy). Compared to non-purified HAs, lipid-free HAs (LFHAs) exhibit higher C and N contents and high absorbance around 1652, 1540 and 1230 cm−1, which indicates the intensity of the etherified aromatic structures and nitrogen-containing components. Less absorbance around 2920, 1600, 1414 and 1100 cm−1 could be assigned to their low level of aliphatic compounds, mainly those with a carboxyl group. According to 13C-NMR spectroscopy, almost 45% of aliphatic structures are removed by lipid extraction and these correspond mainly to long-chain fatty acids. During composting, significant decomposition of non-substituted alkyl structures and N-containing components occurred, increasing the relative intensity of etherified aromatic structures.