Large perturbations in CO2 flux and subsequent chemosynthesis are induced in agricultural soil by the addition of elemental sulfur

Abstract

The microbial contribution to soil organic matter has been shown to be much larger than previously thought and thus it plays a major role in carbon cycling. Among soil microorganisms, chemoautotrophs can fix CO2 without sunlight and can glean energy through the oxidation of reduced elements such as sulfur. Here we show that the addition of sulfur to soil results in an initial surge in production of CO2 through microbial respiration, followed by an order of magnitude increase in the capture of carbon from the atmosphere as elemental sulfur is oxidised to sulfate. Thiobacillus spp., take advantage of specific conditions to become the dominant chemoautotrophic group that consumes CO2. We discern the direct incorporation of atmospheric carbon into soil carbohydrate, protein and aliphatic compounds and differentiate these from existing biomass. These results suggest that chemoautotrophs can play a large role in carbon cycling and that this carbon is heavily influenced by land management practises.

The combined effect of graphene oxide and elemental nano-sulfur on soil biological properties and lettuce plant biomass

“…Nevertheless, this study showed a less significant negative effect of nano-S on the GOassociated aerobic carbon mineralization benefits than in the previously conducted pot experiment (Hammerschmiedt et al, 2022), which showed a very strong negative effect of the nano-S + GO. In line with these results, Kelleher et al (2017) referred to an initial surge in the production of CO 2 through microbial respiration, which was followed by increased capture of carbon dioxide as elemental sulfur was oxidized to sulfate (Kelleher et al, 2017). The conditions set up in this experiment did not promote complete nano-S-mediated attenuation of GO stimulation.…”

“…In line with these results, Kelleher et al. (2017) referred to an initial surge in the production of CO 2 through microbial respiration, which was followed by increased capture of carbon dioxide as elemental sulfur was oxidized to sulfate ( Kelleher et al., 2017 ). The conditions set up in this experiment did not promote complete nano-S-mediated attenuation of GO stimulation.…”

“…As compared to the GO variant or even the Control, it was ascribed that the impact of a low dose of nano-S (variant S1) on the soil respiration was neutral or negative, which was in line with the results of our previous study ( Hammerschmiedt et al., 2022 ). Thus, elemental (nano)sulfur has been reported to attenuate soil aerobic microbial activity and the respiratory capacity of the soil microbiome, as described in a few studies ( Kelleher et al., 2017 ; Zakari et al., 2020 ). Nevertheless, this study showed a less significant negative effect of nano-S on the GO-associated aerobic carbon mineralization benefits than in the previously conducted pot experiment ( Hammerschmiedt et al., 2022 ), which showed a very strong negative effect of the nano-S + GO.…”

Management of citrus leprosis using lime sulphur and their implications to soil and plant properties

“…However, this process is slow and occurs in a gradual manner (CARRIÓN et al, 2008). Also, Kelleher et al (2017) showed that elemental sulphur applied in the soil initially results in the production of CO 2 through microbial respiration, followed by order of magnitude increase in the capture of carbon from the atmosphere.…”