SULFUR MINERALIZATION IN SPHAGNUM PEAT

Open and closed incubation systems were studied as means of quantifying sulfate fractions in sphagnum peat moss. Sulfate was extracted in the closed system with a 0.15% CaCl2.H2O or a 500 mg P/L extractant. Sulfate was extracted in the open system with 10 mM KCl, 0.15%, CaCl2.H2O, or 500 mg P/L extractant. Extractants were quantified by ion chromatography. Phosphate extractant released more sulfate than CaCl2, in the closed system. There was a significant increase over time of sulfate released by the CaCl2 extractant. In the open system, there was no significant difference in release and total amounts leached of sulfate-S between extractants. The closed system released more sulfate-S than the open system. Phosphate extractants in both systems mineralized 43% of initial sulfur content.