Sulfur Cycle Reservoirs
The sulfur cycle is a biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of sulfur between different reservoirs.
- Atmosphere: Released from volcanic activity and industrial emissions, sulfur is present in the atmosphere in the form of sulfur dioxide and can undergo oxidation and reduction reactions, and leads to aerosol formation.
- Hydrosphere (Water Bodies): In aquatic environments like oceans, lakes, and rivers, sulfur is present in different form. In anaerobic conditions hydrogen sulfide is present and in oxygenated water sulfate is present.
- Soil: In the soil sulfur is present in organic matter, sulfides, and sulfate forms and microbial activity in the soil contributes to sulfur transformations.
- Rocks and Minerals (Sedimentary Rocks): Minerals like Gypsum, Pyrite-rich shales, Calcium and magnesium carbonates and Evaporite rocks (anhydrite and baryte) contain sulfur.
- Living Organisms: In the living organism sulfur is present in nucleic acid, amino acids, proteins, and other biomolecules.
- Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, can serve as reservoirs for sulfur. Sulfur is released into the atmosphere as sulfur dioxide (SO2) during the combustion of fossil fuels.
- Volcanic Deposits: Volcanic eruptions contributes to atmospheric sulfur by releasing sulfur compounds into the atmosphere.
- Deep Earth: Sulfur is also present in the Earth’s mantle and crust.
Also Read: Carbon Cycle
Sulfur Cycle
The Sulfur cycle is a biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of sulfur through different reservoirs in the Earth’s atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. It starts with the weathering of rocks which releases sulfur compounds into the soil. Microbial transformations, plant assimilation, decomposition, and atmospheric reactions complete the cycle. The sulfur cycle is important for the synthesis of essential biomolecules, such as amino acids and vitamins, and plays a key role in regulating atmospheric and aquatic chemistry.
Table of Content
- Sulfur Cycle Definition
- What is the Sulfur Cycle?
- Sulphur Cycle Diagram
- Steps of Sulphur Cycle
- Sulfur Cycle Reservoirs
- Importance of Sulfur Cycle
- Human Impact on Sulfur Cycle