Sulfur is a bright yellow crystalline solid that is abundant in the environment and essential for life. Most sulfur is found buried in ocean rocks and salts. It plays important roles in proteins, amino acids, vitamins and enzymes that plants and animals need. The sulfur cycle involves the mineralization, oxidation, reduction and immobilization of sulfur as it moves between organic and inorganic forms in the environment, atmosphere, and biosphere. Human activities like burning fossil fuels release sulfur dioxide into the air, contributing to acid rain formation which erodes both natural and human structures.

1. THE SULFUR
CYCLE

2. -A chemical element that occurs
naturally as a pure element
- It is a abundant and a bright
yellow crystalline solid when at room
temperature
- An essential element of life that is
vital and widely used in the
biochemical cycle

3. - Most of the Earth’s sulfur is tied up on
rocks and salts buried in the depths of
the ocean.
- Important in the functioning of proteins
and enzymes in plants and animals
and is present in proteins, amino
acids, vitamins, and enzymes,
necessary for plants and animals

4. - The 10th most abundant element in the
environment
- Used for things such as fertilizers,
matches and insecticides.

5. THE SULFUR
CYCLE

7. The essential steps of the sulfur cycle
are:
1. Mineralization of organic sulfur to the
inorganic form, hydrogen sulfide(H2S).
2. Oxidation of sulfide and elemental
sulfur (S) and related compounds to
sulfate (SO42–).

8. 3. Reduction of sulfate to sulfide.
4. Microbial immobilization of the sulfur
compounds and subsequent
incorporation into the organic form of
sulfur.

9. EFFECTS OF SULFUR
ON NATURE

10. 1. Natural weathering of rocks,
landforms, etc.
2. Volcanoes release large amounts of
sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) into the
atmosphere
3. SO2 gas can react chemically with
oxygen, dust particles and water to
form volcanic smog

11. HUMAN IMPACT ON
SULFUR CYCLE

12. 1. Burning of fossil fuels from factories
and automobiles releases SO2 into
the atmosphere
2. SO2 combines with water in clouds
which creates acid rain (H2 SO4)
3. Acid rain slowly erodes structures,
both natural and man made

13. HOW CAN WE STOP ACID
RAIN?

14. Burning fossil fuels is the number
one contributor to hydrogen sulfide
pollution
Cutting back on driving or riding a
bicycle can be a big help in stopping
acid rain
Not using sulfate rich fertilizers will
also help prevent acid rain

15. REFERENCES
Henrich, 2012
Sievert, S. M., Kiene, R. P., et. al. 2007.
The Sulfur Cycle
www4.ncsu.edu/~franzen/public_html/Polan
d/Poznan08a/Sulfur_Cycle.pdf