Polysaccharides are the primary organic compounds. This composition is very similar to that of litter from peat soils in temperate climate regions. In addition protein and alkyl carbon are found in the mosses, whereas in contrast to temperate climate zones lignin was of minor importance. The alkyl compounds consist of lipids, fatty acids, and sterols. A high amount of carboxyl groups probably develops from fatty acids and proteins and the aromatic structures mainly from aromatic amino acids.
Carbohydrates are less mineralized than under temperate climate conditions.
Alkyl carbon units are enriched due to selective preservation. During advanced humification the alkyl carbon units are probably incorporated into the complex humic matter. The drastic increase of alkyl-C with peat depth has been described also for peat soils in temperate climate zones. The aromatic structures identified demonstrate that lignin input is not necessary for the formation of aromatic humics. The chemical degradation of the organic matter is not as intensive as in soils of temperate climate regimes.