Influence of land use on the emission of sulfur dioxide from acid sulfate soils

Measurements of SO2 emissions were conducted from four different land uses in acid sulfate soil environments, a growing sugar cane crop, a fallow cane block, remnant forest and pasture. Sulfur dioxide concentrations were measured using passive diffusion samplers. Estimations of population densities of the sulfur and iron oxidising bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, was conducted at each site using a most probable number count technique. In this preliminary study land use was found to be an influencing factor in the emission of SO2 from acid sulfate soils. Precipitation and low air pressure conditions are probable drivers of the SO2 system and soil physical characteristics, soil moisture and evaporation, also influence the emission of SO2. Bacterial activity is also identified as a potential component in the generation and liberation of SO2 in acid sulfate soil environments.

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