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Reduction of molybdate by soil organic matter: EPR evidence for formation of both Mo(V) and Mo(III)

Nature volume 299, pages 618–620 (1982)Cite this article

Abstract

The reducing ability of organic fractions extracted from the soil is well known1–3. Here the reduction of Mo(VI) by humic acid and polysaccharide components from peat and soil, respectively, has been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. We report that reduction to Mo(V) species occurred initially, but with the humic acid, we observed reduction of part of the molybdenum to Mo(III). This represents the first definite evidence for Mo(III) formation in natural substances.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB9 2QJ, UK

    B. A. Goodman & M. V. Cheshire

Authors
  1. B. A. Goodman
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  2. M. V. Cheshire
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Goodman, B., Cheshire, M. Reduction of molybdate by soil organic matter: EPR evidence for formation of both Mo(V) and Mo(III). Nature 299, 618–620 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/299618a0

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