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Changes in the δ34S ratio of pore-water sulfate in incubated Sphagnum peat

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Abstract

Sulfur transformations in freshwater peat were studied using contrasting stable isotope signatures of atmospheric input (high δ34S) and Sphagnum peat substrate (low δ34S). Wet subsurface peat samples from the Lehstenbach watershed, Fichtelgebirge, Germany were incubated anaerobically at 5 and 15°C. Pore-water sulfate was augmented with natural precipitation at the onset of the experiments. Sulfate concentrations and δ34S ratios of residual pore water were measured in 1-day intervals (9 days) and 1-week intervals (7 weeks) at 15°C, and in 1-week intervals (7 weeks) at 5°C. Initially, SO4 2− concentrations decreased (by 50 to 85%) and δ34S ratios increased (by as much as 16‰) at both temperatures due to bacterially-mediated dissimilatory sulfate reduction. At the higher temperature (15°C), the S isotope effect (Δ δ34S) was higher than at the lower temperature (5°C). On day 4 (at 15°C) and day 29 (at 5°C), the δ34S ratio of pore-water sulfate started to decrease by as much as 20‰ The changing S isotope composition provided evidence for a dynamic turnover of the pore-water sulfate pool in anaerobic peat. The observed δ34S pattern could not be explained solely by isotope selectivity of the sulfate-reducing bacteria. Sulfur isotope data indicated a replenishment of the sulfate pool by hydrolysis of ester-sulfate.

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  1. Hana Groscheová

    Present address: Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 15200, Prague 5, Czech Republic

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Ecology BITÖK, University of Bayreuth, D-95440, Bayreuth, Germany

    Hana Groscheová & Christine Alewell

  2. Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 15200, Prague 5, Czech Republic

    Martin Novák

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  1. Hana Groscheová
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  2. Martin Novák
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  3. Christine Alewell
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Groscheová, H., Novák, M. & Alewell, C. Changes in the δ34S ratio of pore-water sulfate in incubated Sphagnum peat. Wetlands 20, 62–69 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1672/0277-5212(2000)020[0062:CITSRO]2.0.CO;2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1672/0277-5212(2000)020[0062:CITSRO]2.0.CO;2

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