Question

Describe in 300 words the sulfurcycle as influenced by microbes and their diverse C and energy metabolism.

Answer 1

Sulphur has atmospheric and lithospheric phases of similar magnitude. three natural biogeochemical processes release sulfur into atmosphere:

1. the formation of volatile compound dimethylsulfide:

various types of organic compounds and dissolved sulfate act as reactants, and the products or by-products remain as : H2S,carbonates, Co2, elemental sulfur and metal sulfides.

2. anaerobic respiration by sulfate reducing bacteria

Sulfate reduction can also occur in both in an energy producing dissimilatory pathway and an energy consuming assimilatory pathway. ... Both pathways begin from the activation of sulfate by reaction with ATP to form adenylyl sulfate (APS).

3. volcanic activity.

The weathering of rocks provide about half the sulfur draining off the land into rivers and lakes, the remainder deriving from atmospheric sources. The available sulfur taken up by plants passed along food chains and via decomposition processes, becomes available again to plants. the combustion of fossil fuels is the major human activity to the global sulfur cycle. Carbon is released into the atmosphere during burning of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum.