Sulfur Cycle

Question 1

erosion

Answer 1

rocks/soil are broken down, transporting sulfur across land or into water

Question 2

decomposition

Answer 2

organic material breaks down, returning organic sulfur to the soil

Question 3

hydrogen sulfide

Answer 3

H2S, released by volcanic eruptions, fuel combustion, and bacteria in soil

Question 4

deposition

Answer 4

sulfur settles back to Earth or comes down with precipitation

Question 5

sulfur dioxide

Answer 5

SO2, released by volcanic eruptions and fuel combustion, and formed from H2S reacting with O2

Question 6

dimethyl sulfide

Answer 6

DMS, released into atmonsphere by marine animals and helps cloud droplets condense, ultimately converts to SO2

Question 7

sulfuric acid

Answer 7

H2SO4, formed from sulfur oxides reacting with water vapor

Question 8

combustion

Answer 8

burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil

Question 9

absorption

Answer 9

sulfates taken up by plants through their roots

Question 10

infiltration

Answer 10

sulfates filtering through pores in soil or rock

Question 11

bacteria decay

Answer 11

organic material breaks down, returning organic sulfur to the soil