Large perturbations in CO₂ flux and subsequent chemosynthesis are induced in agricultural soil by the addition of elemental sulfur.

ABSTRACT: The microbial contribution to soil organic matter has been shown to be much larger than previously thought and thus it plays a major role in carbon cycling. Among soil microorganisms, chemoautotrophs can fix CO₂ without sunlight and can glean energy through the oxidation of reduced elements such as sulfur. Here we show that the addition of sulfur to soil results in an initial surge in production of CO₂ through microbial respiration, followed by an order of magnitude increase in the capture of carbon from the atmosphere as elemental sulfur is oxidised to sulfate. Thiobacillus spp., take advantage of specific conditions to become the dominant chemoautotrophic group that consumes CO₂. We discern the direct incorporation of atmospheric carbon into soil carbohyd

SUBMITTER: Kelleher BP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5498539 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature