Origins, roles and fate of organic acids in soils: A review

There is increasing evidence that the origins of organic acids (OAs) are as important as their roles and pathways of production. This review focuses on information about challenges associated with various aspects of OA production and release in the soil with the primary intention of harmonising different views to enable better understanding of this topic. A considerable body of work devoted to the understanding of origins, roles and dynamics of OAs in soil has been critically scrutinised for their various positions in this review. Organic acids in the soil originate from a variety of sources that may include plant roots, microorganisms and organic decomposition. Although OA synthesis in the soil environment…