The Sulfur Cycle

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Impacts

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ReservoirsReservoirs

CompoundsCompounds

Jillian and Michelle

Sulfur CycleSulfur Cycle

• Cyclic movement of sulfur in different chemical forms from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment Solid

forms of

sulfur

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Simplified, everyday version of Simplified, everyday version of the Sulfur Cyclethe Sulfur Cycle

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Sulfur Cycle: Sulfur Cycle: shows not only shows not only

where the sulfur where the sulfur comes from, but comes from, but

the chemical the chemical reactions and reactions and how it moves how it moves

throughout the throughout the biosphere.biosphere.

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•SO4 -2 salts stored under ocean sediments•Enters system through natural processes

•H2S released from active volcanoes and organic matter•SO2 released from volcanoes•SO4 -2 salts released through sea spray•Marine Algae produce DMS

•Affects cloud coverage and climate

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•It reacts with water to produce H2SO4

•Acid deposition which harms trees and aquatic life

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• Burning coal and oil to produce electric power– Accounts for 2/3 of

human inputs of SO2 • Refining petroleum to

make gas, heating oil and other products releases sulfur

• Using smelting to convert sulfur compounds of metallic minerals into free metals – Ex: Copper, lead, zinc

Refinery that releases large

amounts of sulfur

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Locations

• Atmosphere• Deep ocean

• Found near active volcanoes

Largest found

deposits of sulfur on

Earth

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Organic Compound

• DMS (CH3SCH3) –dimethyl sulfide – Serve as nuclei for the

condensation of water into droplets found in the clouds• Emissions can affect

cloud coverage and climate

• Swamps, bogs, and tidal flats

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Reservoirs:

Organic—Earth’s crust, mineralization, and metallic minerals

Inorganic—Acid deposition

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