A technique for measurement of biogenic sulfur emission fluxes

Abstract

Atmospheric sulfur compounds of biogenic origin are thought to constitute a significant fraction of the atmospheric sulfur burden. Determination of fluxes of these compounds into the atmosphere is desirable in order to permit accurate assessment of the relative roles of anthropogenic and biogenic sources in contributing to such phenomena as the atmospheric sulfate burden and acidity in precipitation. In the present paper an emission flux measurement technique for biogenic sulfur compounds is described, and initial resuits of the use of the technique in a Long Island salt marsh are presented. These first known measurements of biogenic fluxes are compared to estimates of biogenic fluxes derived from global sulfur budgets and from calculations based on a simple mass transfer model. Comparison is also made with anthropogenic emission rates expressed as fluxes. Further steps in the development of the technique are suggested.