Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is a reactive, water-soluble gas produced by volcanic activity, combustion of sulfur-containing fuels, and biological sulfur transformations, making it important in environmental and biological systems. When dissolved in water, it forms sulfurous acid and equilibrates with bisulfite and sulfite ions, which can participate in oxidation-reduction reactions and interact with cellular proteins and membranes. In biology, sulfur dioxide is studied as an air pollutant that can impair plant photosynthesis and damage respiratory tissues, while its conversion by microorganisms contributes to sulfur cycling. Understanding these processes supports research on environmental toxicity, atmospheric chemistry, and ecosystem health.

Sulfur Dioxide - Related Videos

Education

JoVE Core - Biology

The Sulfur Cycle

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2019

Sulfur, an important element in the chemical makeup of proteins, is recycled through the atmosphere and aquatic and terrestrial environments. Found in the atmosphere as sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur is released by decaying organisms, weathered rocks, geothermal vents, volcanos, and burning fossil fuels. It is deposited into the ecosystem, cycled through the biotic community, and either released back into the atmosphere as gas or deposited in marine sediment for long-term storage and eventual...

Sulfur Assimilation

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2025

Sulfur is an essential element in biological systems, contributing to synthesizing key biomolecules, including amino acids such as cysteine and methionine, and cofactors such as coenzyme A and biotin. Microorganisms primarily assimilate sulfur as sulfate (SO₄²⁻) from the environment, which must undergo a series of biochemical transformations before it can be incorporated into cellular components. As sulfate is highly oxidized, it must undergo assimilatory sulfate reduction to become...

Research

JoVE Journal - Chemistry

Synthesis of Ligand-free CdS Nanoparticles within a Sulfur Copolymer Matrix

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2016

Herein we present a method to synthesize ligand-free cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles based on a unique sulfur copolymer. The sulfur copolymer operates as a high temperature solvent and a sulfur source during the nanoparticle synthesis and stabilizes the nanoparticles after the reaction.

Microbes and the Sulfur Cycle

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2026

Sulfur is a vital element in Earth's biogeochemical systems. It transitions through various inorganic states, including sulfate (SO₄²⁻), elemental sulfur (S⁰), and sulfide (S²⁻). Abiotic and biological mechanisms across oxic and anoxic environments intricately mediate these transformations. Sulfate, the most oxidized form of sulfur, is predominantly stored in rocks, marine sediments, and oceanic waters, acting as a long-term reservoir in the global sulfur cycle.In oxic environments,...

Carbon-dioxide Fixation

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2025

Carbon dioxide fixation in prokaryotes enables the assimilation of inorganic carbon into organic molecules, supporting biosynthetic pathways, sustaining ecosystems, and contributing to the global carbon cycle. It also has industrial applications in carbon capture and bioproduct synthesis. Autotrophic organisms rely on this process to utilize CO₂ as a carbon source in diverse environments.The Calvin CycleThe Calvin cycle is the most widespread carbon fixation mechanism, primarily used by...

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