Various layers from profiles from upland acid peat area containing both untouched and reclaimed sites were chemically examined for inorganic and organic changes as a result of treatments. Low phosphorus and high aluminium and lead contents were found and a layer of copper accumulation was noted in the undisturbed site. Lanthanum content was also found to be high. The amino‐acid distribution in hydrolysates of soil water, as well as pyrophosphate‐extracted humic acid and the pyrophosphate‐insoluble soil residue containing organic matter, was examined. The surface layers are characterised by the presence of non‐protein amino‐acids of plant and microbiological origin. The basic amino‐acids appeared to be in greater strength in the soil water samples from treated sites than those from untreated sites. The soil residue appears to be a reservoir of amino‐sugar‐containing compounds. The relative distribution of certain “non‐protein” amino‐acids found in small amounts in the humic acids isolated from samples from different depths in the profile, may possibly be explained if the humic acid is considered as a cation‐exchanger being eluted in the hydrogen cycle.

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Paper and column chromatography using partition and ion-exchange conditions, high-and low-voltage paper electrophoresis, and gelatine-gel diffusion have all been used in an attempt to fractionate humic acids, but only limited success is recorded.