Talk:Leaf mold

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New to trying to edit wiki pages, but this page claims oxygen is essential for decomposition into leaf mold. However, many other sources claim creating leaf mold is an anaerobic process (i.e. without oxygen). Which is ACTUALLY correct? I've seen many claims on both sides.

Furthermore, I've seen a lot of contention on what humus and humic acid actually are and whether or not it is actually possible to create it through leaf mold or whether this is misinformation. ```` — Preceding unsigned comment added by 50.65.91.200 (talk) 14:52, 6 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]

[This] ref from the Royal Horticultural Society clearly indicates that aeration is important (see under "Problems"). Anaerobic conditions in a leaf pile tend to produce stinking brown slimy mud in my experience but I haven't got a source for that. Old leaf mould (> 5 years) is as close to 100% humus as you can get. Humic acid on the other hand tends to be a component of anaerobic acid bog drainage - the colouring matter of the tea coloured rivers of upland temperate moorland, but I guess might also be a significant constituent of anaerobic leaf decomposition. Velella ^{Velella Talk} 15:38, 6 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]