Reduction of Sulfate to Sulfide in Waterlogged Soil

Abstract

Abstract A study was made of sulfate reduction to sulfide in water‐logged soils supplied with an energy source. Sulfate reduction was more rapid in surface soil than in subsurface layers with sulfide appearing 2 days after waterlogging samples of a surface soil. The amount of sulfide precipitated from added H 2 S in two soils was approximately equivalent to the amounts of ferrous iron released by waterlogging. Added Fe 2 O 3 was effective in precipitating H 2 S. Sulfate reduction was retarded by nitrate. Addition of oxygen to highly reduced soils caused a rapid decrease in sulfide content, with one‐half of the sulfide being oxidized in 15 minutes and all the sulfide oxidized after 8 hours.