2. What it is/ Natural Process
• Sulfur (S), is very abundant, is a brittle, yellow, tasteless, and odorless non-
metallic element. It has many proteins and vitamins that are crucial to the
climate and various ecosystems. The majority of the Earth’s sulfur is stored
underground in rocks and minerals, including as sulfate salts buried deep
within ocean sediments and is in the magma in volcanoes.
• The sulfur cycle contains both atmospheric and terrestrial processes.
Within the terrestrial portion, the cycle begins with the weathering of
rocks, releasing the stored sulfur. The sulfur then comes into contact with
air where it is converted into sulfate. The sulfate is taken up by plants and
microorganisms and is converted into organic forms; animals then
consume these organic forms through foods they eat, thereby moving the
sulfur through the food chain. As organisms die and decompose, some of
the sulfur is again released as a sulfate and some enters the tissues of
microorganisms. There are also a variety of natural sources that emit
sulfur directly into the atmosphere, including volcanic eruptions, the
breakdown of organic matter in swamps and tidal flats, and the
evaporation of water.
4. Why is it important
• It is one of the main components that make up
proteins and vitamins that animals, plants, and
the environment need. Sulfur is important for the
functioning of proteins and enzymes in plants and
in animals. Plants absorb sulfur when it is
dissolved in water. Animals consume these
plants, so that they take up enough sulphur to
maintain their health. We dig up sulfur because
we use it in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, gun
powder, agricultural pesticides, and more.
5. Human Impact
• The use of sulfur in factories that is being
emitted through air pollution release is leaving
a disastrous effect to organisms around. The
over pollution of sulfur in the air by human
activity is damaging homes of animals and
plants near by.
6. MDC
• In the United States, the lower pH and higher
aluminum concentrations in surface water
occurs from acid rain can kill aquatic animals
and plants. Lakes are becoming more acidic so
biodiversity has reduced. Acid rain can slow
the growth of plants which can cause leaves
and needles to turn brown and fall off.
7. LDC
• In Ecuador they don’t truly know the effects of
sulfur and only care to increase industry in the
country so they’re willing to pollute the
environment with sulfur and ignore the effects
in order to achieve industrialization like the
developed world. Acid rain is another well
known- environmental problem.
8. Pathway Affected by Human Activities
• Human activities increases the frequency and
duration of acid rain.
• Physical disturbances results in exposure of large
quantities of mineral sulfides to the atmosphere.
• This causes the sulfides to be oxidized to sulfate,
a process accompanied by the generation of large
amounts of acidity.
• A great way to reduce acid rain is to produce
energy without using fossil fuels. Use more
renewable energy like solar and wind power.
