Estimation of the upwelling rate of deep waters in the Black Sea from the H2S vertical distribution

The expression for the bottom convection intensity is derived from the equality of the advective vertical flux of H₂S within 1000–2000 m to the diffusion turbulent flow close to the H₂S zone upper boundary. The upwelling rate, which is expressed via the H₂S concentration in deep waters and the gradient of the H₂S concentration near the upper boundary, is 10^–4 cm/s. It is shown that the H₂S diffusion flux in deep waters is an order less than the advective one. The conclusion that below 1000 m the age of H₂S does not exceed 30 years and H₂S reaches the upper boundary in approximately 150 years is derived.Translated by Mikhail M. Trufanov.     

The contribution of atmospheric acid deposition to ocean acidification in the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean

The absorption of anthropogenic CO₂ and atmospheric deposition of acidity can both contribute to the acidification of the global ocean. Rainfall pH measurements and chemical compositions monitored on the island of Bermuda since 1980, and a long-term seawater CO₂ time-series (1983–2005) in the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda were used to evaluate the influence of acidic deposition on the acidification of oligotrophic waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and coastal waters of the coral reef ecosystem of Bermuda. Since the early 1980's, the average annual wet deposition of acidity at Bermuda was 15 ± 14 mmol m^− 2 year^− 1, while surface seawater pH decreased by 0.0017 ± 0.0001 pH units each year. The gradual acidification of subtropical gyre waters was primarily due to uptake of anthropogenic CO₂. We estimate that direct atmospheric acid deposition contributed 2% to the acidification of surface waters in the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean, although this value likely represents an upper limit. Acidifying deposition had negligible influence on seawater CO₂ chemistry of the Bermuda coral reef, with no evident impact on hard coral calcification.     

The Air-Sea Exchange of CO2 in the East Sea (Japan Sea)

During CREAMS expeditions, fCO₂ for surface waters was measured continuously along the cruise tracks. The fCO₂ in surface waters in summer varied in the range 320–440 μatm, showing moderate supersaturation with respect to atmospheric CO₂. In winter, however, fCO₂ showed under-saturation of CO₂ in most of the area, while varying in a much wider range from 180 to 520 μatm. Some very high fCO₂ values observed in the northern East Sea (Japan Sea) appeared to be associated with the intensive convection system developed in the area. A gas-exchange model was developed for describing the annual variation of fCO₂ and for estimating the annual flux of CO₂ at the air-sea interface. The model incorporated annual variations in SST, the thickness of the mixed layer, gas exchange associated with wind velocity, biological activity and atmospheric concentration of CO₂. The model shows that the East Sea releases CO₂ into the atmosphere from June to September, and absorbs CO₂ during the rest of the year, from October through May. The net annual CO₂ flux at the air-sea interface was estimated to be 0.032 (±0.012) Gt-C per year from the atmosphere into the East Sea. Water column chemistry shows penetration of CO₂ into the whole water column, supporting a short turnover time for deep waters in the East Sea. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The influence of solar ultraviolet radiation on the photochemical production of H2O2 in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was measured in marine surface waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean between 25°N and 25°S. H₂O₂ concentrations decreased from 80 nM in the north to 20 nM in the south, in agreement with earlier observations. A diel cycle of H₂O₂ production as a function of sunlight in surface waters was followed twice whilst the ship steamed southward. Around 23°N a distinct diel cycle could be measured which correlated well with irradiance conditions.The wavelength dependency of H₂O₂ formation was studied near the equator. For 16 hours, water samples were incubated with wavelength bands of the solar spectrum, i.e. visible (VIS: 400–700 nm), VIS and ultraviolet A radiation (UVAR: 320–400 nm) and VIS, UVAR and ultraviolet B radiation (UVBR: 280–320 nm). A significant relationship was found between wavelength band and the production of H₂O₂. In addition, a clear positive relationship between intensity and production was found. UVAR was 6.5 times more efficient than VIS in producing 1 nM of H₂O₂, whereas UVBR was 228 times more efficient than VIS. When these data were weighted with respect to the energy of the solar spectrum at zenith hour, 28% of the H₂O₂ was formed by VIS, 23% was formed by UVAR and 48% was formed by UVBR. Considering the strong attenuation of UVBR in marine waters as compared with UVAR and VIS radiation, the role of UVAR deeper in the water column is recognised. Furthermore results of this research emphasise the importance of VIS radiation in the formation of H₂O₂.     

Time-series of surface water CO2 and oxygen measurements on a platform in the central Arkona Sea (Baltic Sea): Seasonality of uptake and release

High resolution measurements of carbon dioxide and oxygen were made in surface waters of the central Arkona Sea (Baltic Sea) from May 2003 to September 2004. Sensors for CO₂ partial pressure (pCO₂^w) and oxygen (O₂) concentration were mounted in 7 m depth on a moored platform which is used for hydrographic and meteorological monitoring. The pCO₂^w data were obtained in half hour intervals and O₂ was measured each hour as an average of a 10 min measurement. To check the performance of the sensors, pCO₂^w and O₂ were determined by shipboard measurements on a research vessel which visited the site in 1–2 month intervals. In addition, pCO₂^w was measured on a “volunteer observing ship” (VOS) passing the platform each second day at a distance of about 25 km. Minima of 220 to 250 μatm of pCO₂^w were observed at the time of the spring bloom and a cyanobacteria bloom in mid-summer. During winter the pCO₂^w was mostly close to equilibrium with the atmosphere but maxima of 430 to 530 μatm were also observed. The seasonality of oxygen and pCO₂^w showed an opposing pattern. From a multiple regression analysis, we concluded that two processes primarily controlled pCO₂^w during our study: biological turnover and mixing. A parameterization, based on apparent oxygen utilisation (AOU) and salinity (S) only (pCO₂^w = 1.23 AOU + 43 S), reproduced the seasonality of pCO₂^w in surface water reasonably well. Based on our pCO₂, salinity, and temperature data set, we attempted to separate processes changing total inorganic carbon concentrations (C_T) by using an alkalinity–salinity relation for the area. The contribution of CO₂ gas exchange and mixing were calculated and from this the biological turnover was deduced to reveal the calculated C_T changes.The net annual uptake of CO₂ in the central Arkona Sea was estimated to be about 1.5 Tg (1.5·10¹² g) which was approximately balanced by a net oxygen release considering the uncertainties of the flux calculations. Near-coast CO₂ emission due to episodic upwelling partly compensated the uptake of the central part of the Arkona Sea reducing the overall magnitude of the CO₂ uptake.     

Colonization of Sulfurovum sp. on the gill surfaces of Alvinocaris longirostris, a deep-sea hydrothermal vent shrimp

Deep‐sea hydrothermal vents are unique light‐independent ecosystems that are sustained by chemosynthetic bacteria. For many of the invertebrates inhabiting in such environments, bacteria play essential roles in both energy acquisition and detoxification of potentially toxic gases such as H₂S. In this study, the bacterial flora present on the gills of Alvinocaris longirostris (Bresiliidae: Caridea), a shrimp inhabiting hydrothermal vents (1532 m depth) at the Hatoma Knoll of the Okinawa Trough, was investigated. Bacterial 16S rDNA fragments were successfully amplified from the gills and 70% of these fragments showed an identical pattern in the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. These fragments were assigned to the ribotype AL‐1. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that AL‐1 forms a monophyletic clade with Sulfurovum spp. (ε‐Proteobacteria). Fluorescence in situ hybridization for AL‐1 and electron microscopy showed the presence of short‐rod bacteria lining up on the cuticular layer of the surface of the gill filaments. These results suggest that bacterial association with gills also occurs in bresiliid shrimps.     

Impact of macroalgal dredging on dystrophic crises and phototrophic bacterial blooms (red waters) in a brackish coastal lagoon

The Prévost lagoon (Mediterranean coast, France), was subject to annual dystrophic crises caused by the biodegradation of opportunistic macroalgae (Ulva lactuca) in the past. These crises result in anoxic waters with subsequent blooms of Purple Sulphur Bacteria (red waters) which, by oxidizing sulphide, contribute to the reestablishment of oxic conditions in the water column. Mechanical dredging of the macroalgal biomass has been carried out in the lagoon since 1991 with the aim of preventing the ecological and economic disturbances caused by such crises. Dredging began just before the phototrophic bloom when the water was already hypoxic (O₂ = 0.7 mg·L⁻¹) and contained sulphilde (H₂S = 7.3 mg·L⁻¹) and purple patches of phototrophic bacteria (Thiocapsa sp.) that were beginning to develop on decaying macroalgae at the sediment surface. The dredging prevented red water formation and drastically modified both phototrophic community structure and activity and biogeochemical sulphur cycling. The dredging permitted the reestablishment of oxic conditions for a short period only (1–13 August). Resuspension of the superficial sediment layers disturbed the phototrophic bacterial community, whose numbers decreased by one order of magnitude (from 2 × 10⁶ to 3.9 × 10⁵ CFU.mL⁻¹). The phototrophic community was no longer effective in reoxidizing the reduced sulphur compounds remaining in the sediments, as shown by a drastic sulphate depletion in the superficial sediment layers. Moreover, the increase in the specific bacteriochlorophyll a concentration of the phototrophic purple bacteria and the rapid development of Green Sulphur Bacteria (Prosthecochloris-like microorganisms) indicated that the phototrophic community was growing under severe light-limiting conditions due to the resuspension of sediment particles in the water. These conditions did not allow the phototrophic bacterial community to efficiently reoxidize the reduced sulphur compounds originating from the sediments. In consequence, hypoxic conditions (O₂ = 4.7 to 4.8 mg·L⁻¹) and low sulphide concentrations (H₂S = 0.4 to 0.7 mg·L⁻¹) were detected in the water column until September. The ecological balance in the lagoon was reestablished only in October, whereas, in previous years it had been restored in August.     

浙江近海曼氏无针乌贼(Sepiella maindroni) 繁殖生物学特性变化研究

采用常规生物学方法和统计回归分析方法,对浙江近海曼氏无针乌贼的繁殖生物学特性进行了研究,比较了不同时期浙江近海曼氏无针乌贼卵巢成熟系数(GSI)、生物学体型及个体生殖力与生物学指标关系。结果表明,浙江近海曼氏无针乌贼GSI在4月份达到最高(9.51%±7.23%),相比20世纪60年代初、80年代初,自然海域曼氏无针乌贼的性腺发育提前,且生殖期延长。20世纪80年代初曼氏无针乌贼的生物学体型、怀卵量及个体生殖力均大于60年代初和自然海域曼氏无针乌贼,同时曼氏无针乌贼在人工养殖条件下生物学体型、怀卵量及个体生殖力增大。浙江近海曼氏无针乌贼的个体生殖力均随着胴长(ML)、体质量(W)、卵巢质量(WO)、GSI这些指标的增大而增大,除体质量相对生殖力(FW)与ML为密切正相关外,个体生殖力与这些指标的关系均达到了极显著水平(P<0.01)。多元线性逐步回归分析表明,WO是影响浙江近海曼氏无针乌贼个体生殖力的最重要指标。     

Trends of trace metal (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) distributions at the oxic-anoxic interface and in sulfidic water of the Drammensfjord

Anoxic sulfidic waters provide important media for studying the effect of reducing conditions on the cycling of trace metals. In 1987–1988, dissolved and particulate trace metal (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) concentrations were determined in the water column of the anoxic Drammensfjord basins, southeastern Norway. The iminodiacetic acid type chelating resin (Chelex 100) was used for the preconcentration of trace metals. The trace metal concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), differential pulse polarography (DPP), and differential pulse-anodic stripping voltammetry (DP-ASV).It was observed that the trace metals Mn and Fe were actively involved in the processes of redox cycling (oxidationreduction and precipitation-dissolution) at the O₂/H₂S interface. The dissolved concentrations of Mn, Fe and Co showed maxima just below the O₂/H₂S interface. The seasonal enhancement in the maxima of both dissolved and particulate Mn and Fe at the redox cline is mainly governed by the downward movement of water which carries oxygen. An association of Co with the Mn cycle was observed, while the total dissolved Ni was decreased by only 10–35% in the anoxic waters. The dissolved concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and, to a lesser extent, Cd decreased in the anoxic zone.     

Nitrogen and oxygen isotopic composition of N2O from suboxic waters of the eastern tropical North Pacific and the Arabian Sea—measurement by continuous-flow isotope-ratio monitoring

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a trace gas that is increasing in the atmosphere. It contributes to the greenhouse effect and influences the global ozone distribution. Recent reports suggest that regions such as the Arabian Sea may be significant sources of atmospheric N₂O.In the ocean, N₂O is formed as a by-product of nitrification and as an intermediary of denitrification. In the latter process, N₂O can be further reduced to N₂. These processes, which operate on different source pools and have different magnitudes of isotopic fractionation, make separate contributions to the ¹⁵N and¹⁸O isotopic composition of N₂O. In the case of nitrification in oxic waters, the isotopic composition of N₂O appears to depend mainly on the ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio of NH⁺₄ and the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio of O₂ and H₂O. In suboxic waters, denitrification causes progressive ¹⁵N and ¹⁸O enrichment of N₂O as a function of degree of depletion of nitrate and dissolved oxygen. Thus the isotopic signature of N₂O should be a useful tool for studying the sources and sinks for N₂O in the ocean and its impact on the atmosphere.We have made observations of N₂O concentrations and of the dual stable isotopic composition of N₂O in the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP) and the Arabian Sea. The stable isotopic composition of N₂O was determined by a new method that required only 80–100 nmol of N₂O per sample analysis. Our observations include determinations across the oxic/suboxic boundaries that occur in the water columns of the ETNP and Arabian Sea. In these suboxic waters, the values of δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O increased linearly with one another and with decreasing N₂O concentrations, presumably reflecting the effects of denitrification. Our results suggest that the ocean could be an important source of isotopically enriched N₂O to the atmosphere.     

Marine barite in sediments from deep sea drilling project sites 424 and 424a (Galapagos hydrothermal mounds field)

The distribution of barite in sediments from D.S.D.P. sites 424 and 424A at the Galapagos hydrothermal mounds field is determined and the process of its formation is deduced. Barite in these deposits is associated with calcareous sediments and is completely absent from the hydrothermal material (manganese crusts and nontronite). Its concentrations tend to increase in the deeper sediments. Since manganese crusts contain significant amounts of Ba, a lack of barite in them is probably due to low concentrations of SO₄² in the sediment-seawater interface where they form. The formation of barite occurs within buried sediments, the interstitial waters of which are saturated with SO₄². The most probable source of SO₄²⁻ is the oxidation of H₂S which is released from the hydrothermal fluids percolating upwards through the sediments. Although nontronite is formed within buried sediments the environmental conditions occurring during its formation (reducing) prevent barite formation.The association of barite with calcareous sediments is due to the release of Ba by calcareous microorganisms and/or to high concentrations of Ca in the pore waters which maintain a high pH and hence SO₄²⁻ is stable.     

海上围隔进行羟基杀灭赤潮生物的研究

采用强电场电离H2O、O2方法,在分子层次上加工成高浓度羟基自由基(OH.)溶液,喷洒在有赤潮生物的海面上,当海水的羟基质量浓度达到0.68 mg/L时,致死洛氏角刺藻(Chaetoceros lorenzianus)等31种赤潮生物效率达到99.89%,致死细菌、弧菌效率达到100%,致死膝沟藻孢囊、多甲藻孢囊效率达到100%;赤潮生物叶绿素a含量低于检测方法低限值;剩余OH.分解成H2O和O2;尸体将分解成CO2、H2O和微量无机盐。从试验数据表明,OH.是治理赤潮有效可行的绿色新方法。实现了治理赤潮以及加工羟基过程的零污染、零废物排放、零残留物。     

pH variability off Goa (eastern Arabian Sea) and the response of sea urchin to ocean acidification scenarios

The increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration in the last few decades has resulted in a decrease in oceanic pH. In this study, we assessed the natural variability of pH in coastal waters off Goa, eastern Arabian Sea. pH_T showed large variability (7.6–8.1) with low pH conditions during south-west monsoon (SWM), and the variability is found to be associated with upwelling rather than freshwater runoff. Considering that marine biota inhabiting dynamic coastal waters off Goa are exposed to such wide range of natural fluctuations of pH, an acidification experiment was carried out. We studied the impact of low pH on the local population of sea urchin Stomopneustes variolaris (Lamarck, 1816). Sea urchins were exposed for 210 days to three treatments of pH_T: 7.96, 7.76 and 7.46. Our results showed that S. variolaris at pH_T 7.96 and 7.76 were not affected, whereas the ones at pH_T 7.46 showed adverse effects after 120 days and 50% mortality by 210 days. However, even after exposure to low pH for 210 days, 50% organisms survived. Under low pH conditions (pH_T 7.46), the elemental composition of sea urchin spines exhibited deposition of excess Sr²⁺ as compared to Mg²⁺ ions. We conclude that although the sea urchins would be affected in future high CO₂ waters, at present they are not at risk even during the south-west monsoon when low pH waters reside on the shelf.     

The distributions of uranium, radium and thorium isotopes in two anoxic fjords: Framvaren Fjord (Norway) and Saanich Inlet (British Columbia)

Depth profiles of the naturally-occurring radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U, ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra and ²²⁸Th were obtained in two diverse anoxic marine environments; the permanently anoxic Framvaren Fjord in southern Norway and the intermittently anoxic Saanich Inlet in British Columbia. Concentrations of total H₂S were over three orders of magnitude greater in the anoxic bottom waters of Framvaren Fjord compared to those in Saanich Inlet.In Framvaren Fjord, the O₂/H₂S interface was located at 17 m. While dissolved ²³⁸U behaved conservatively throughout the oxic and anoxic water columns, concentrations based on the ²³⁸U/salinity ratio in oxic oceanic waters were almost 30% lower. Dissolved ²²⁶Ra displayed a sharp maximum just below the O₂/H₂S interface, coinciding with dissolved Mn (II) and Fe (II) maxima in this zone. It is suggested that reductive dissolution of Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides remobilizes ²²⁶Ra in this region.In Saanich Inlet, the O₂/H₂S interface was located at 175 m. Dissolved ²³⁸U displayed a strongly nonconservative distribution. The depth profiles of dissolved ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Th correlated well with the distribution of dissolved Mn (II) in the suboxic waters above the O₂/H₂S interface, suggesting that reduction of particulate Mn regulates the behavior of ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Th in this region.Removal residence times for dissolved ²²⁸Th in the surface oxic waters of both systems are longer than those generally reported for particle-reactive radionuclides in coastal marine environments. In the anoxic waters of Framvaren Fjord and Saanich Inlet, however, the dissolved ²²⁸Th removal residence times are quite similar to values reported for dissolved ²¹⁰Pb in the anoxic waters of the Cariaco Trench and the Orca Basin. This implies that the geochemistries of Th and Pb may be similar in anoxic marine waters.     

多通道化学传感器及其在热液喷口探测中的应用

热液喷口附近的羽状流中存在明显的化学及浊度异常,通过探测这些异常可判断是否存在热液喷口及确定喷口的具体位置。本文研制了一款可用于探测热液喷口的多通道化学传感器,该传感器具有体积小、精度高的特点,且可在4000米深海中进行工作。该化学传感器共配备五个全固态电极,一个为参比电极,其余四个为离子选择性电极,并且可根据所测量的化学离子进行更换。本文基于该化学传感器共进行了两组实验。在第一组浅海试验中,化学传感器集成了pH,Eh,CO₃^2-和SO₄^2-电极,在浅海海域中测量对应化学量,结果表明该化学传感器可在实际应用中获得高精度、稳定的测量数据。第二组实验为深海热液探测,装配了pH,Eh,CO₃^2-和H₂S电极的化学传感器在西南印度洋中脊区域的29次测线中投入使用,共获得有效数据27组。通过对测量所得到的化学量进行分析,本文提出了一种确定热液喷口的化学异常探测方法,若某时间段内Eh和H₂S的电势降低,而pH和CO₃^2-的电势上升则可判定存在化学异常。利用该方法对27组有效数据进行分析,共发现5个潜在的热液喷口。实验结果表明,该化学传感器可有效地探测由热液引起的化学异常,适用于实际热液探测中。     

The behavior of Zn,Cd, Cu,Ni, Co,Fe, and Mn in anoxic baltic waters

In June 1981, dissolved Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, and Mn were determined from two detailed profiles in anoxic Baltic waters (with extra data for Fe and Mn from August 1979). Dramatic changes across the O₂H₂S interface occur in the abundances of Cu, Co, Fe, and Mn (by factors of ?100). The concentrations of Zn, Cd, and Ni at the redox front decrease by factors between 3 to 5.Equilibrium calculations are presented for varying concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and compared with the field data. The study strongly supports the assumption that the solubility of Zn, Cd, Cu, and Ni is greatly enhanced and controlled by the formation of bisulfide and(or) polysulfide complexes. Differences between predicted and measured concentrations of these elements are mainly evident at lower ΣH₂S concentrations.Cobalt proved to be very mobile in anoxic regions, and the results indicate that the concentrations are limited by CoS precipitation. The iron (Fe²⁺) and manganese (Mn²⁺) distribution in sulfide-containing waters is controlled by total flux from sediment-water interfaces rather than by equilibrium concentrations of their solid phases (FeS and MnCO₃). The concentrations of these metals are therefore expected to increase with prolonged stagnation periods in the basin.     

Pb and Po, manganese and iron cycling across the O2/H2S interface of a permanently anoxic fjord: Framvaren, Norway

Vertical profiles of dissolved and particulate ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb were measured across the redox transition zone at Station F1 in Framvaren Fjord, Norway. In this fjord, a sharp decrease in pH above the O₂/H₂S interface facilitates the aerobic dissolution of MnO₂. In contrast, Fe(II) concentrations begin to increase only at the O₂/H₂S interface depth. Activity profiles reveal that dissolved ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb are sequestered efficiently by particulates in surface waters. As polonium-210 and lead-210 activities descend down into the aerobic manganese reduction (AMR) zone, they are remobilized during the reductive dissolution of the carrier phase oxyhydroxides. Both ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb are highly enriched at the O₂/H₂S interface where an active community of microbes, such as anoxygenic phototrophs (e.g., Chromatium, Chlorobium sp.), thrives. The coincident peaks in ²¹⁰Po, ²¹⁰Pb and microbial biomass suggest a strong biological influence on the behavior of these radionuclides. There is a strong covariance between the vertical distribution of Mn and Pb, indicating that their redox cycling is closely coupled and is likely microbially mediated.     

The thermodynamics and kinetics of the hydrogen sulfide system in natural waters

The thermodynamics and kinetics of the H₂S system in natural waters have been critically reviewed. Equations have been derived for the solubility and ionization of H₂S in water and seawater as a function of salinity, temperature and pressure. Pitzer parameters for the interaction of the major cations (Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺) with HS⁻ have been determined to allow one to calculate values of pK₁^* in various ionic media. The limited data available for the interaction of trace metals for HS⁻ are summarized and future work is suggested.The kinetics of oxidation of H₂S have also been examined as a function of pH, temperature, and salinity. The discrepancies in the available data are largely due to the different [O₂]/[HS−] ratios used in various studies. Over a limited pH range (6–8) the pseudo first order rate constant for the oxidation is shown to be directly proportional to the activity of HS⁻. Further studies are suggested to examine the effect of ionic media and temperature on the rate of oxidation.     

Chromium(VI) reduction by sulphur(IV) in aqueous solutions

The rates of the reduction of Cr(VI) with S(IV) were measured in deaerated NaCl solution as a function of pH, temperature and ionic strength. The rates of the reaction were found to be first order with respect to Cr(VI) and second order with respect to S(IV), in agreement with previous results obtained at concentrations two order higher than the present study. The reaction also showed a first-order dependence of the rates on the concentration of the proton and a small influence of temperature with an apparent energy of activation ΔH_app of 22.8 ± 3.4 kJ/mol. The rates were independent of ionic strength from 0.01 to 1 M. The rate of Cr(VI) reduction is described by the general expression

−d[Cr(VI)]/dt=k[Cr(VI)][S(IV)]²