How do humans pollute our environment by altering the sulfur cycles? My initial

Question

How do humans pollute our environment by altering the sulfur cycles?

My initial answer to this question was this: Sulfur is required by plants and animals; has different energy levels that relate to oxidation state. Plants and microorganisms assimilate sulfate using energy to produce organic sulfur. Consumers depend upon this activity. The reduced hydrogen sulfide is converted into sulfur oxides with the end product sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid returns to the surface of the earth as a natural acid deposition that also includes sulfate. If we consider this one process, the sulfate removed from the soil by plants in upland areas is converted to organic sulfur. The organic sulfur is carried to lower elevations by consumers and, if it accumulates in anoxic wetlands, the gas phases eventually return the sulfur, depositing sulfate in the upland areas.

My answer was not quite what the professor was looking for so please answer the question based on the following professor feedbacks (of how my answer could be improved): What if the acid levels in water get high because of too much H2S (from sulfate reducers) … what happens when that water becomes rain? What about other effects of acid?

Explanation / Answer

** Please note: - You haven't considered the idea of acid rain at all. That is the most serious effect of altered sulfur cycle. Therefore, the professor didn't approve your answer completely.

If acid level in water get high because of too much H2S :- In water, excess H2S combines with water to form a weak acid, known as hydro sulfuric acid, written as H2S (aq.). This H2S (aq.) evaporates readily from water at pH < 6 and >8. At air-water interface, it becomes sulfur di- oxide; which further combines with water vapor and nitrates of air to form acid rain. The chemicals in acid rain are very hazardous, they can cause corrosion of steel structures such as bridges, and erosion of stone statues.

Other effects of hydro sulfuric acid in water: - Hydrogen sulfide has been considered the cause of mass extinction, especially the Permian - Triassic extinction which occurred 252 years ago. Also, increased level of H2S in water, reduces the water's efficiency to absorb oxygen. This leads to death of all oxygen dependent flora and fauna.

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