Abstract: The present work extended the knowledge on the binding and
complexation of humic substances (humic acid or fulvic acid) and hematite by
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The FTIR data gained gave the
consist evidences by two different sampling preparation methods that the
interaction mechanism between humic substances and hematite was mainly conform
to the ligand-exchange involving carboxylic functional groups of humic
substances and the surfaces sites of hematite. The present method, although
associated with some uncertainties, provided an opportunity to increase the
knowledge in this field.