Lipids in soil

As much as 20% of soil humus occurs in the form of lipids. High values are characteristic of Podzol soils and highmoor peats. Lipids of the following types are known to be present: paraffin hydrocarbons, phospholipids, fats, waxes, fatty acids, and terpenoids. A long list of compounds have been reported; the identification of many of them require confirmation using modern analytical techniques. Some of the lipids known to occur in soil have phytotoxic properties; these may have a depressing effect on seed germination and on root and shoot growth. Waxes and similar materials may be responsible for the difficultly wettable condition of certain sands.