Isotopic evidence for determining the sources of dissolved organic sulfur in a forested catchment

Environ Sci Technol. 2014 Oct 7;48(19):11259-67. doi: 10.1021/es502563n. Epub 2014 Sep 25.

Abstract

Understanding sulfur (S) biogeochemistry, especially in those watersheds subject to elevated levels of atmospheric S inputs, is needed for determining the factors that contribute to acidification, nutrient losses and the mobilization of toxic solutes (e.g., monomeric aluminum and methylmercury). S is found in a variety of both organic and inorganic forms undergoing a range of biotic and abiotic transformations. In watersheds with decreasing atmospheric S inputs, internal cycling is becoming dominant in affecting whether there is net loss or retention of S. Little attention has been given to the role of dissolved organic S (DOS) in affecting S biogeochemistry. DOS originates from assimilatory and bacterial dissimilatory S reduction (BDSR), the latter of which produces (34)S-depleted S. Within groundwater of the Archer Creek Catchment in the Adirondack Mountains (New York) there was reoxidation of reduced S, which was an important source of SO4(2-). DOS in surface waters had a higher variation of δ(34)S-DOS values (-6.0 to +8.4‰) than inorganic S with δ(34)S-SO4(2-) values ranging from +1.0 to +5.8‰. Inverse correlations between δ(34)S values of SO4(2-) and DOS suggested that BDSR played an important role in producing DOS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Groundwater / analysis
  • Groundwater / chemistry
  • New York
  • Sulfates / analysis
  • Sulfur / analysis*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

  • Sulfates
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Sulfur