Transformation of sulfur compounds in the atmosphere

The sulfur compounds, except the sulfate of sea salt particles, are released into the atmosphere in gaseous form. In spite of this fact the majority of atmospheric sulfur in clean air is found in particulate matter as sulfate (see later). Thus, the aim of studies on transformations of sulfur compounds is to determine the nature and rate of oxidation processes leading to sulfate formation. 

However, it was demonstrated by Penkett (1972) that the oxidation of H2S in solutions is a very slow process. H2S can also react with atomic oxygen  

According to the laboratory experiments of Cox and Sandalls (1974) OH radicals play an important role in the oxidation of H2S. They stated that the oxidation of H2S is initiated by the gas phase reaction 

The HS radical formed in this way reacts with molecular oxygen  

Jaeschke ei al. (1978) have shown the importance of this process in the following indirect way. They measured the vertical concentration gradient of H2S and calculated the vertical flux by using the gradient method (see Section 5.1). They have 

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J. W. Gall, presented at "Physico-Chemical Transformation of Sulfur Compounds in the Atmosphere and the Formation of Acid Smogs," Mainz (1967). 

Schematic representation of the transformation of sulfur compounds in the atmosphere according to Kellogg et al. (1972). (Copyright 6.2.1979 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science...

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