ИСТИНА

Humic substances and natural organic matter are ubiquitous in the environment. They play numerous life-sustaining functions. Still the origin of their chemical properties and biological activities are still poorly understood due to ill-defined structures. The talk introduces a concept of natural humic systems as a unifying term for humic substances and natural organic matter. Chemical space of humic systems as a projection of molecular composition onto Van Krevelen diagram is considered and the principles of its quantitation are formulated. The data on directed isolation of separate pixels of molecular space using fine fractionation are provided backed up by the data of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry analyses. The humic systems are considered as an ecosystem metabolome - a molecular marker of climate change and of a new geological epoch - the Anthropocene. A loss in chemical diversity of humic systems (along with biodiversity) is considered as a new marker of ecosystem deterioration due to climate change. This suggestion is based on the molecular composition studies of aquatic and terrestrial humic systems in the permafrost dominated Arictic regions versus low latitude regions. Interactions of humic systems with the mineral nano- and microworlds are described. Data on the leading role of humic systems in the formation of nanoscale particles of biogenic elements (for example, iron) are presented. The concept of nanofertilizers as a nature-like delivery of biogenic elements to plants is given. Methods of obtaining metal nanoparticles and nanostructured materials based on humic substances with antibacterial and wound healing properties are given. The principles of directed modification of natural humic systems to enhance their macroligand, redox and antioxidant properties are formulated. The formation of Pickering emulsions at the interface of water-air and water-oil phases is considered as the most important molecular mechanism for sustaining soil structure and eliminating pollution. The original concept of soil as "dry water" is given - a reversed-phase emulsion of water in the air stabilized by a solid organomineral complex. The issues of practical application of "soft" colloidal materials and Pickering emulsions for the development of nature-like technologies for environmental purification are considered. Humic-siloxane systems are considered as an example. The concept of eco-adaptive chemistry and technology is introduced as a response to technological challenges related to climate change, ever growing anthropogenic impact, the need for human adaptation to new planetary conditions and the formation of a new paradigm of chemical thinking: eco-adaptive design of new products, processes and technologies [1]. [1] Perminova I.V. From green chemistry and nature-like technologies to eco-adaptive chemistry and technologies. Pure Applied Chemistry, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2018-1110 This research was conducted with a support of the Russian Science Foundation (grant #20-63-47070).