Thiosulfate, polythionates, and rhodanese activity in Lakes Erie and Ontario sediments

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1979.24.2.0383· OSTI ID:5579264

Nriagu, J O; Coker, R D; Kemp, A L.W.

The concentrations of thiosulfate (10 to 20 ..mu..g.g dry wt/sup -1/) and polythionates (10 to 70 ..mu..g.g/sup -1/) in Lake Ontario sediments are much higher than those (0 to 20 and 5 to 40 ..mu..g.g/sup -1/) in the more reduced Lake Erie sediments. The distribution of these labile compounds is considered in relation to the forms of sulfur and sulfur bacteria in the different basins of Lake Erie and the importance of microenvironments in the formation of thiosulfate and polythionates is emphasized. The high concentration in Lake Ontario suggest that once formed, the thiosulfate can persist for a long time in sediments with limited amounts of oxygen. The correlation between rhodanese activity and thiosulfate plus polythionates suggests that rhodanese may catalyze some of the processes responsible for the generation and extinction of these sulfur compounds in lake sediments.

• Research Organization: Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario
• OSTI ID: 5579264
• Journal Information: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States), Journal Name: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States) Vol. 24:2; ISSN LIOCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DATA
DATA FORMS
DIAGENESIS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GREAT LAKES
INFORMATION
ISOLATED VALUES
LAKE ERIE
LAKE ONTARIO
LAKES
NUMERICAL DATA
SEDIMENTS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR CYCLE
SURFACE WATERS
THIOSULFATES