Abstract
Sulphur forms were determined at twopeatland sites in Scotland, each having both open bogvegetation and afforested areas. Afforestationactivity (including initial ploughing and, in onecase, active drainage) had a significant effect onpeat physical characteristics, depending on the depthsampled, but had less influence on S chemistry. Therewas no significant difference in mean total Sconcentration (mean of 0.24% over the upper 100 cmpeat) between the two sites or between the afforestedand open areas. Organic S was dominant withapproximately 64% of the total S being C-bonded S and27% ester sulphate S. Reduced inorganic forms (acidvolatile S, elemental S and Cr-reducible S) accountedfor approximately 8% of the total S. On average, onlyhalf of the Cr-reducible S could be accounted for bypyrite S as determined by analysis of the Fe; theremainder was considered to be an organic S fraction.The presence of both S-oxidizing thiobacilli andsulphate-reducing bacteria were indicative of anactive oxidation/reduction cycle that resulted in theaccumulation of S at or below the mean water table.The results are discussed in terms of S retention and alkalinity generation in peatlands.
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Chapman, S.J. Sulphur Forms in Open and Afforested Areas of Two Scottish Peatlands. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 128, 23–39 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010365924019
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010365924019