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.

Sulfur Cycle Definition

The sulfur cycle is a biogeochemical process in which sulfur moves through the Earth’s atmosphere, soil, water, and living organisms.

What is the Sulfur Cycle?

The sulfur cycle is a biogeochemical cycle in which the sulfur moves through the geosphere and biosphere. Sulfur supports the growth and development of living organisms, as it forms the structure of amino acids, proteins, and vitamins. The cycle involves various processes, including both biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living) components. The cycle starts with the weathering of rocks which releases sulfur into the atmosphere. 

The sulfur then reacts with oxygen in the air and turns into sulfate which is taken up by the plants and microorganisms. They turn it into organic forms and pass it up the food chain. When the animals decompose, they release the sulfur back into the atmosphere, starting the cycle again.

Sulphur Cycle Diagram

The diagram of the sulphur cycle showing its various steps is shown below:

Steps of Sulphur Cycle

The sulfur cycle involves a series of aerobic and anaerobic transformations of sulfur-containing molecules. It plays a fundamental role in cellular and ecosystem-level processes that influences biological carbon transfers and other biogeochemical cycles. The various steps of the sulfur cycle includes:

Decomposition of Organic Compounds

Dead plants and animals, contains sulfur in the form of organic compounds and decomposer microorganisms break down these organic compounds during the process of decomposition. This breakdown releases sulfur-containing compounds, including amino acids from proteins. The sulfates gets reduced to hydrogen sulfide by the action of Desulfotomaculum bacteria. Example:

Protein (organic matter)→Amino acids (with sulfur)Protein (organic matter)→Amino acids (with sulfur)

SO₄^2- ​+ Organic matter → H₂​S + CO₂ ​+ H₂O

Oxidation of Hydrogen Sulfide to Elemental Sulfur

Through microbial and chemical processes Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is oxidized to elemental sulfur (S⁰). Photosynthetic bacteria, such as those from the families Chlorobiaceae and Chromatiaceae, are involved in this oxidation. Example:

H₂​S + Oxygen → S⁰+H2​O

Oxidation of Elemental Sulfur to Sulfates

In the soil the sulphur is present in the elemental form that is not directly usable by the plants. Chemolithotrophic bacteria, including species like Thiobacillus, oxidize elemental sulfur to sulfates (SO₄²⁻). This conversion makes sulfur available in a form that plants can assimilate. Example:

S⁰ + Oxygen → SO₄^2-​

Reduction of Sulfates

By the cation of certain bacteria, such as Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, the sulfates in the soil are reduced back to hydrogen sulfide. The reduction occurs in two steps: firstly, sulfates are converted to sulfites (SO⁻), and secondly, sulfites are further reduced to hydrogen sulfide. During sulfate reduction the hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) that is produced is released into the atmosphere, completing the cycle. Example:

SO₄^2- + Organic matter → H₂​S + CO₂ ​+ H₂​O

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.

Importance of Sulfur Cycle

Importance of the sulfur cycle are as follows:

• Sulfur cycle allows the movement of the sulfur between living systems, waterways, and rocks. It maintains the balance of sulfur concentrations across the Earth’s reservoirs.
• Sulfur forms an important component of amino acids such as cysteine and methionine. They are building blocks of proteins, essential for the structure and function the cell.
• Sulfur forms key component of biomolecules like nucleic acids, and vitamins. It is essential for the structure and function of living organisms.
• Sulfur is used by certain bacteria to perform chemosynthesis which contributes to energy production in ecosystems.
• In the soil sulfur is present in various forms. Plants absorb sulfate ions from the soil, and through their metabolic processes, sulfur enters the food chain.
• The sulfur cycle interacts with other biogeochemical cycles and influence the pH of the soil, nutrient availability, and microbial activities. It impacted the overall ecosystem stability.
• Sulfur-containing compounds helps in the process of cellular detoxification which protects the organisms from oxidative stress and environmental toxins.
• Sulfur cycle in the oceans is essential for marine ecosystems as it undergo various transformations in seawater and influences the chemical composition of the ocean, affecting marine life.

Human Impact on Sulfur Cycle

Human combustion activities are responsible for about one-third of all sulfur compounds and 99% of the SO2 that reaches the troposphere. The combustion of coal and oil for electricity production and the smelting of metal-bearing ores have been major sources of SO2 to the atmosphere. Humans accelerate the sulfur cycle by burning fossil fuels, which increases atmospheric sulfur. The burning of fossil fuels, especially coal, releases large amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas into the atmosphere. When rain falls through this gas, it creates acid rain. Acid rain is harmful to the environment and human health. However, humans also plant crops that remove sulfur from the atmosphere.

FAQs – Sulfur Cycle

What is the Sulfur Cycle?

The sulfur cycle is a biogeochemical cycle which involves movement of sulfur between rocks, waterways and living systems.

What are the Steps of the Sulfur Cycle?

Steps of the sulfur cycle includes: Mineralization, oxidation, reduction, and incorporation. Sulfur is a key component of many proteins, vitamins, and hormones.

What are the 3 Sources of Sulfur?

Sulfur is also found in the Earth’s crust. It’s mainly found near volcanic eruptions and tectonic plates, in hot spots, and in mountain areas. Sulfur is also found in ores like galena, pyrite, sphalerite, and chalcocite.

What is the Importance of the Sulfur Cycle?

The sulfur cycle is crucial for sustaining life, as sulfur is essential for proteins, coenzymes, and vitamins, and forms an important part of various biological processes.

What is the Example of Sulfur Cycle?

Sulphur is released into the atmosphere by weathering of rocks, burning of fossil fuels, volcanic eruptions, and decomposition of organic molecules.

What are the Uses of Sulfur Cycle?

The sulfur cycle facilitates sustenance of life, as sulfur is essential for the structure of proteins and coenzyme and also plays important role in environmental processes, such as nutrient cycling in soils and atmospheric interactions, influencing air and water quality.

What are the Reservoirs of the Sulfur Cycle?

The important reservoir of the sulfur cycle includes: the ocean, the ocean floor basalts, evaporite deposit, and reduced marine sediments.

What is the Sulfur Cycle on Land?

On land, there are four major ways by which sulfur is deposited. They are precipitation, direct fallout from the atmosphere, weathering of rocks, and through geothermal vents.