The Sulfur Cycle

Sulfur is deposited in what four major ways?

precipitation, direct fallout from the atmosphere, rock weathering, and geothermal vents

Precipitation, direct fallout from the atmosphere, rock weathering, and geothermal vents is the four major ways that what happens?

sulfur is deposited

Atmospheric sulfur is found in what form?

the form of sulfur dioxide (so2)

What is found in the form of sulfur dioxide (so2)

atmospheric sulfur

As rain falls through the atmosphere, _.

sulfur is dissolved in the form of weak sulfuric acid (H2SO4)

When is sulfur dissolved in the form of weak sulfuric acid (H2SO2)?

as rain falls through the atmosphere

What happens during a process called fallout?

sulfur can fall directly from the atmosphere

Sulfur can fall directly from the atmosphere during what process?

fallout

What does the weathering of sulfur containing rocks release?

sulfur into the soil

What releases sulfur into the soil?

the weathering of sulfur containing rocks

Sulfur containing rocks originate from what?

ocean sediments that are moved to land by the geologic uplifting of ocean sediments

What originates from ocean sediments that are moved to land by the geologic uplifting of ocean sediments?

sulfur containing rocks

Terrestrial ecosystems can then make use of _

soil sulfates (SO4)

What can make use of soil sulfates (SO4)

terrestrial ecosystems

What do terrestrial ecosystems do upon the death and decomposition of their organisms?

release the sulfur back into the atmosphere as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas

When do terrestrial ecosystems release the sulfur back into the atmosphere as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas?

upon the death and decomposition of their organisms

When does sulfur enter the ocean?

runoff from land, atmospheric fallout, and underwater geothermal vents

What happens due to runoff from land, atmospheric fallout, and underwater geothermal vents?

sulfur enters the ocean

What do some ecosystems rely on?

chemoautotrophs using sulfur as a biological energy source which supports marine ecosystems in the form of sulfates

What releases large amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas into the atmosphere?

the burning of large quantities of fossil fuels

What does the burning of large quantities of fossil fuels release?

large amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas into the atmosphere

What creates acid rain?

rain falling through hydrogen sulfide gas

What does rain falling through hydrogen sulfide gas create?

acid rain

What is acid rain?

corrosive rain caused by rainwater falling to the ground through sulfur dioxide gas, turning it into weak sulfuric acid, which causes damage to aquatic ecosystems

What is corrosive caused by rainwater falling to the ground through sulfur dioxide gas, turning it into weak sulfuric acid, which causes damage to aquatic ecosystems?

acid rain

What does acid rain do?

damage the natural environment by lowering the pH of lakes, which kills many of the resident fauna, it also affects the man made environment through the chemical degradation of buildings

What damages the natural environment by lowering the pH of lakes, which kills many of the resident fauna, it also affects the man made environment through the chemical degradation of buildings?

acid rain