THE OXIDATION OF H2S IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

The oxidation of H2S with O2 was measured in Chesapeake Bay waters at 30 °C. The measurements were made on surface waters with added H2S and waters collected below the oxic-anoxic interface (25 m). The rates of oxidation of surface water (t 1 2 = 25 h) were in good agreement with earlier measurements on Gulf Stream and Black Sea waters. The oxidation rates of the deep waters were quite fast (t 1 2 = 8 min) due to the high concentrations of Fe(II) and Mn(II) in the solutions in agreement with earlier studies in the Black Sea, the Framvaren Fjord and the laboratory. The half-time for the oxidation of the deep waters with no added oxygen was 16 to 23 min. These results indicate that the oxides of Fe and Mn may be partly responsible for the fast turnover of H2S in these waters. © 1991.