ATMOSPHERIC SULFUR AND ITS LINKS 

 TO THE BIOTA 



FRANK B. HILL 



Department of Applied Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 



Upton, New York 



ABSTRACT 



The atmospheric sulfur cycle is reviewed with emphasis on its connections to the biota. 

 Topics discussed concerning these connections are: biometeorological factors 

 affecting rates of uptake of sulfur dioxide by vegetation, the use of regional atmospheric 

 pollution models to predict acidity in precipitation, and factors affecting emission of 

 biogenic sulfur compounds into the atmosphere. 



Mankind has long been familiar with manifestations of the existence of 

 compounds of sulfur in the atmosphere and in the biota. These manifesta- 

 tions have often been unpleasant and sometimes threatening. Examples 

 associated with natural phenomena are the foul-smelling emanations from 

 decaying organic matter and acrid fumes spewing forth from volcanoes. Man 

 himself has for a long time taken part in the introduction of this element, and 

 others in association with it, into the atmosphere. In this connection almost four 

 centuries ago the poet Edmund Spenser 1 had occasion to describe a cannon as a 

 "divelish yron Engin," charged "with windy Nitre and quick Sulphur." When it 



was fired, he said, 



. . .the heavens it doth fill 



With thundring noyse, and all the ayre doth choke, 

 That none can breathe, nor see, nor heare at will, 

 Through smouldry cloud of duskish stincking smoke. . . 



Our modern day "divelish yron Engins," in the form of power plants, smelters, 

 and space-heating devices, are perhaps not so spectacular in the act of emitting 

 compounds of sulfur, and for that matter compounds of nitrogen, into the 

 atmosphere, but their influence is certainly far more widespread and possibly far 

 more inimical to mankind and the world at large. 



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