Identification and quantification of sulfur gases emitted from soils, leaf litter and live plant parts

Sulfur gas emission potentials can be quantified by incubating soil, leaf litter or plant parts in polypropylene centrifuge bottles, followed by analysis of accumulated head space gases with a gas chromatograph having a sulfur-specific flame photometric detector. Biological sulfur gas emissions can make a small contribution to atmospheric sulfur and to sulfuric acid rain. Sulfur gas emissions by plants are potentially significant as defenses against root rot fungi, nematodes and insects. Sulfur gas emissions which inhibit nutrification may function to conserve NH 4 in the upper soil profile.