Volume 1 of this encyclopedia focuses on polymers consisting of aromatic constituents occurring in plants and natural environments or as fossil resources. Polymers included are: lignin, melanin, sporopollenin, soil humic substances, aquatic humic substances, coal, other polyphenols and related compounds. This volume comprehensively describes and summarizes the structures and the methods for revealing them. Other topics include: biosynthesis and formation, biodegradation, biotransformations of humic acids, properties, applications, desulfurization of coal, modification of coal, biotechnological conversion of coals into products, chemical conversion of coal into products.