Subject hydrogen sulfides

The H2S sulfanes are the subject of several reviews (129,133). Except for hydrogen sulfide these have no practical utiUty. Sodium tetrasulfide [12034-39-8] is available commercially as a 40 wt % aqueous solution and is used to dehair hides in taimeries, as an ore flotation agent, in the preparation of sulfur dyes (qv), and for metal sulfide finishes (see Leather Mineral recovery and processing). 

Compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and cyanides are the most common metal surface poisoners occurring in process units subject to aqueous-phase hydrogen attack. In many process units, these compounds can be effectively eliminated and hydrogen diffusion stopped by adding ammonium polysulfides and oxygen to the process streams which converts the compounds to polysulfides and thiocyanates, provided the pH is kept on the alkaline side. 

Alterations in blood heme metabolism have been proposed as a possible indicator of the biological effects of hydrogen sulfide (Jappinen and Tenhunen 1990), but this does not relate to the mechanism of toxicity in humans. The activities of the enzymes of heme synthesis, i.e., delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALA-S) and heme synthase (Haem-S), were examined in 21 cases of acute hydrogen sulfide toxicity in Finnish pulp mill and oil refinery workers. Subjects were exposed to hydrogen sulfide for periods ranging from approximately 1 minute to up to 3.5 hours. Hydrogen sulfide concentrations were considered to be in the range of 20-200 ppm. Several subjects lost consciousness for up to 3 minutes. 

Hydrogen sulfide is commonly found in coal and petroleum deposits and may be mobilized by human manipulation of these resources. Coal gasification, a process whereby coal is subjected to heat and steam... 

A great number of processes and sinks related to the sulfur cycle in a sewer affect to what extent hydrogen sulfide is an odor problem. Figure 4.4 outlines the major pathways that also will be major subjects for detailed descriptions in Chapter 6. Although not all aspects depicted in Figure 4.4 can be easily quantified, they should be included in an evaluation of odor problems associated with sewage transport. 

In a continuous reformer, some particulate and dust matter can be generated as the catalyst moves from reactor to reactor and is subject to attrition. However, due to catalyst design little attrition occurs, and the only outlet to the atmosphere is the regeneration vent, which is most often scrubbed with a caustic to prevent emission of hydrochloric acid (this also removes particulate matter). Emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide may occur during regeneration of catalyst. 

An interaction between main olfaction and the trigeminal somatosensory system has been proposed to facilitate directional smelling. For carbon dioxide and menthol, human subjects were able to tell the odor direction in 96% of cases, while the results for hydrogen sulfide and vanillin were random (Kobal et ah, 1989). Rats can discriminate odor direction in one sniff (Rajan et ah, 2006). 

Esters of 4-oxoacids, such as ethyl levulinate, can also be cyclized in the cold by treatment with hydrogen sulfide under acid conditions. An early report (39JCS1116) described the conversion of diethyl 2-acetylsuccinate (168) to ethyl 2-methyl-5-ethoxythiophene-3-carboxylate (169), by treatment with hydrogen sulfide in alcoholic HC1 at 0 °C. The reaction was reviewed in 1977 <77PS(3)377) a large number of 4-oxoesters (170) were subjected to the hydrogen sulfide treatment, and the products were carefully isolated and characterized. 

Mention has already been made of the uciion of oxygen and oxidants on metal. It should be noted that metals react with sulfides, such as hydrogen sulfide, and are subsequently subject to additional slow attack by oxygen and oxidants. Thus, copper reacts to form sulfide and then the basic copper sulfate. 

Carbohydrates, whose continental and marine productions have been estimated at nearly 1011 and 10 t/year respectively (42), have qualified for recognition as a possible carbon source. Indeed, the treatment of carbohydrate with hydrogen sulfide at a temperature as low as 100 °C is reported to result in S-heterocycle formation (43). Recently, glucose has been treated with hydrogen sulfide at 40 °C then pyrolyzed in the course of product analysis. Although S-heterocycles were found in the pyrolysate (44), the conditions to which the carbohydrates were subjected may result in their conversion to the proximate carbon source, which only then is sufficiently reactive enough to combine with hydrogen sulfide. Thus, the role assumed of carbohydrates as proximate carbon source molecules in low-temperature reactions is presently not readily appraised. 

Among the many toxicants that cause convulsions are chlorinated hydrocarbons, amphetamines, lead, organophosphates, and strychnine. There are several levels of coma, the term used to describe a lowered level of consciousness. At level 0, the subject may be awakened and will respond to questions. At level 1, withdrawal from painful stimuli is observed and all reflexes function. A subject at level 2 does not withdraw from painful stimuli, although most reflexes still function. Levels 3 and 4 are characterized by the absence of reflexes at level 4, respiratory action is depressed and the cardiovascular system fails. Among the many toxicants that cause coma are narcotic analgesics, alcohols, organophosphates, carbamates, lead, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulfide, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, isoniazid, phenothiazines, and opiates. 

Our studies showed that the biogeochemical system of the redox layer is subjected to temporal variability on a seasonal scale (connected with the seasonality of OM production) and interannual changes. Surface ventilation of dissolved oxygen down to the depth of the CIL (ag = 14.5 kg nr3) occurs in the winter from a combination of the NW shelf and the centers of the gyres. The intensity of ventilation is determined by climate forcing which may be determined by large-scale climate patterns like the NAO. This ventilation sets the upper boundary conditions for the downward transport of O2. Therefore, the position of the hydrogen sulfide boundary in the density field is connected with the climate variability, related to the NAO index. 

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