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δ34S variations in vegetation and soil exposed to intense biogenic sulphide emissions near Paige mountain, N.W.T., Canada

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Abstract

Sulphur isotope abundances demonstrate that natural emissions of biogenic H2S and its oxidation products from springs near Paige Mountain, N.W.T., Canada, can be incorporated into surrounding soil and vegetation. δ34S values as low as − 33‰ for soil and vegetation are the result of dominant uptake of biogenic atmospheric compounds. In contrast, vegetation on a gypsum outcrop remote from the springs, has δ34S values as high as + 26‰ indicating nearly exclusive derivation of S from the soil. Near the springs, soil with vegetative cover is less depleted in 34S than soil lacking cover. Lower needles on a Black Spruce were found to be less depleted in 34S than the upper needles. These observations suggest that upper foliage exerts a canopy effect on lower foliage and in turn, interception by vegetation reduces the flux of atmospheric S compounds to the soil. Clearly, natural emissions of S compounds can interfere in studies of long range transport of industrial emissions; S isotope analyses might identify such interferences and reduce the chance of misinterpretation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, The University of Calgary, T2N 1N4, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    H. Roy Krouse

  2. National Hydrology Research Institute, Environment Canada, T3A 0X9, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Robert O. Van Everdingen

Authors
  1. H. Roy Krouse
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  2. Robert O. Van Everdingen
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Krouse, H.R., Van Everdingen, R.O. δ34S variations in vegetation and soil exposed to intense biogenic sulphide emissions near Paige mountain, N.W.T., Canada. Water Air Soil Pollut 23, 61–67 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185131

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185131

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