Summary
S-oxidation was studied in samples of (a) coastal sands lacking vegetation; (b) sands from beneath isolated stands ofAmmophila arenaria andHippophaë rhamnoides; and (c) dune soils obtained from beneath vegetation growing on mature dunes. S-oxidation in samples taken from dune environments was compared with the process in a fertile garden soil.
Elemental-S was oxidized to SO 2−4 in all samples, with S2O 2−3 being formed as intermediates. S-oxidation was most pronounced in the dune soil, followed by the garden soil,Ammophila arenaria andH. rhamnoides rhizospheres and finally the non-vegetated sand. The rate of S-oxidation thus generally increased with increasing C and N content, increasing vegetation cover and decreasing soil-sand pH.
Maximum S-oxidation occurred at 30–37°C, but some of the intermediates appeared even at 45°C, presumably indicating abiotic S-oxidation at high temperatures. S-oxidation decreased the pH of the two soils studied, but did not markedly acidify the unvegetated or rhizosphere sands.
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Skiba, U., Wainwright, M. Oxidation of elemental-S in coastal-dune sands and soils. Plant Soil 77, 87–95 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182814
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182814