Sulfur Cycles

Question 1

Where is S found?

Answer 1

basically everywhere even if in small quantities

• S intermediates are formed as a byproduct of the resource extraction industry (elemental S), typically sold to agricultural industry for fertilizer
• naturally in coal, low S coal usually from decayed plant material, mid to high from same and seawater

Question 2

What is Acid Rain? How is Sulfur Related?

Answer 2

• ## coal combustion -> SO2 -> H2SO4 = sulfuric acidAcid Rain Can:
• dissolve in nutrients that plants need
• disrupt natural PH of terrestrial water systems = collapsing ecosystems
• deteriorate buildings and cars
• lead to breathing difficulties for ppl with asthma

Question 3

What is Sulfur’s importance in metal mining?

Answer 3

• metal mining ores are usually metal sulfide ores
• the S goes to mine tailing storage facilities (basically bunch of waste) -> through treatment S is precipitated out of solution before the water is released back to environment

-Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) aka Acid Rock Drainage = outflow of metalliferous, low pH(high acidity) and low O2 water from metal or coal mines -> fish kills, complete and irreversible loss of biodiversity

• can happen abiotically or biotically, only need S/Fe, O2 and H2O

Question 4

Sulfur and Renewable Energy

Answer 4

Batteries
-green energy rely on batteries for E storage -> needs critical earth elements (CEEs) like Lithium and Cobalt
- CEEs mined from ore deposits (often S ore)