Spatial and temporal distributions of sulfur species in paddy soils affected by acid mine drainage in Dabaoshan sulfide mining area, South China

•The concentrations of various sulfur species in paddy soil profiles were investigated.•No significant differences in WS, AS, or TS were observed.•WS in deeper soil may have contributed to the gradual decline in TS.•Ester sulfate (ES) was the dominating sulfur species in every layer.•Soil profile could be divided into three layers by sulfur species and concentrations.

In paddy soils polluted by acid mine drainage (AMD), heavy metals contamination has been studied intensively, but little information has been gathered regarding the associated speciation of sulfur. Therefore, the concentrations of various sulfur species in paddy soil profiles were investigated at sites downstream of the Dabaoshan sulfide mining area, South China. No significant differences in water-soluble sulfate (WS), adsorbed sulfate (AS), or total sulfur (TS) were observed between upstream and downstream paddy soil profiles. A surprising finding was that seasonal change of WS in deeper soil may have contributed to the gradual decline in TS over the past 10 years. The largest concentrations of AS was found in 20 to 30 cm soil horizons, where a strong influence of large surface area soil particles, and abundant amorphous iron hydroxides and fine clays likely enhanced sulfate adsorption. Reduced inorganic sulfur (RIS) was found in highest concentrations at depths of 0 to 20 cm and was significantly positively correlated with total soil C and N contents. Furthermore, ester sulfate (ES) was the dominating sulfur species in every layer, which may result from (i) abundant WS and AS promoted ES formation, and (ii) the presence of active Al and Fe oxides inhibited ES mineralization. Concentrations of sulfur species and other soil properties were used in principle component analysis to identify three geochemically distinct layers in these paddy soils (0 to 20 cm, 20 to 30 cm and 30 to 80 cm). Due to AMD irrigation, differences in the speciation of sulfur among these layers illustrates how the chemical imprint of AMD irrigation has influenced and been affected by the background biogeochemistry of these soils. The present examination of the speciation and vertical and horizontal distribution of sulfur species provides valuable information for the continued management and remediation of these and other AMD-contaminated paddy soils.