The variability of δ34S and sulfur speciation in sediments of the Sulejów dam reservoir (Central Poland)

The study was carried out on the Sulejów dam reservoir (Central Poland). Water and sediment samples were collected between February and October 2006. Sulfur compounds in the sediment were chemically extracted and subjected to isotopic analysis.Large variability of SO42− concentration in the water column (from 10.3 to 36.2 mg/dm3) and the isotopic composition of sulfur (δ34S from 2.1 to 5.4‰) was observed. The main identified sources of SO42− were watercourses, surface runoff, and phosphorus fertilizers.Both oxidized sulfur species (SO42−) and its reduced forms were found in sediments. Particular sulfur forms were characterized by large variations in both, concentrations and the isotopic composition of sulfur. SO42− in the sediment and in the water column had different genesis. Bacterial oxidation of organic sulfur and its binding in SO42− were observed in the sediment. Under reducing conditions, oxidized and organic sulfur is converted to H2S which reacted with Fe or other metallic ions leading to metal sulfide precipitation. Monosulfides were shown to have a very low concentration, ranging up to 0.07 mg/g of sediment. The transformation of elemental sulfur from sulfides through their chemical oxidation occurred in the sediment.