THE ORGANOSULFUR CYCLE - AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC PROCESSES LEADING TO TURNOVER OF C1-SULFUR COMPOUNDS

The processes generating and transforming those C1-organosulphur compounds which are major intermediates in the biogeochemical cycling of sulphur are summarised. The biological and chemical interconversion of the methylated sulphides, methane sulphonate, carbon disulphide and carbonyl sulphide are significantly influence by diverse microorganisms, including autotrophic thiobacilli, methylotrophs, methanogens and sulphate-reducing bacteria. The major biogenic sulphur gas is dimethyl sulphide. A major atmospheric photochemical oxidation product from this is methane sulphonate, which can contribute to the acidity of rain. New data and ideas on the microbiological fate of methane sulphonate and of natural and anthropogenic carbon disulphide are presented.