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Stable sulfur isotopic biogeochemistry of the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire

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Abstract

In natural ecosystems, differences often exist in the relative abundanceof stable S isotopes (°34S) that can provide clues as tothe source, nature, and cycling of S. Values of °34S inprecipitation, throughfall, soils, soil solution, and stream waters weremeasured at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), New Hampshire.Values of °34S in precipitation and throughfall weresimilar to each other but differed seasonally. Precipitation°34S values were higher in the dormant season[°34S = 5.9±0.6‰ (17)][Mean + SE(N)]than in the growing season [°34S = 5.0±0.6‰(40)] but throughfall growing-season values were higher[°34S = 5.6±0.6‰(68)] than for the dormantseason [°34S = 4.9±0.7‰ (9)]. Different treespecies did not affect throughfall °34S values. In soilsolution, °34S values were higher in the growing season(°34S = 8.9±2.8‰; 8.8±1.7‰;and 4.0±0.6‰ for Oa, Bh, and Bs horizons, respectively) thanin the dormant season (°34S = 5.6±1.5‰;3.7±2.4‰; and 3.4±1.2‰ for Oa, Bh, and Bshorizons, respectively). These seasonal differences in°34S were probably caused by biological isotopicfractionation. The °34S values in streams were generally2‰ lower and more variable than those in precipitation andthroughfall, suggesting fractionation and/or different isotopic sources inthe soil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 13210-2788, USA

    Yimin Zhang & Myron J. Mitchell

  2. Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506-6057, USA

    Martin Christ

  3. Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, NY, 12545, USA

    Gene E. Likens

  4. Physics Dept. University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada

    H. Roy Krouse

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  1. Yimin Zhang
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  2. Myron J. Mitchell
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  3. Martin Christ
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  4. Gene E. Likens
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  5. H. Roy Krouse
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Zhang, Y., Mitchell, M.J., Christ, M. et al. Stable sulfur isotopic biogeochemistry of the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire. Biogeochemistry 41, 259–275 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005992430776

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