Sulfate.....

WHAT IS IT?

     1. Sulfur is the 16th element in the periodic table.

     2. Volcanoes bring sulfur to the Earth's surface where it reacts with metals, hydrogen and oxygen to form various minerals.

     3. In water, sulfur is found mostly combined with oxygen as the anion sulfate (SO₄^{2-^).}

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

     1. Cells need sulfur to make protein compounds responsible for energy transformations.

     2. When sulfur combined with metals reacts with oxygen in water to make the sulfate ion, the pH of the water lowers (becomes acidic). Acidic water can harm living organisms, so too much sulfur in a river stresses the aquatic ecosystem.

WHAT INFLUENCES IT?

     1. Soil Types: Certain soils naturally contain higher levels of sulfur

     2. Mining and processing of mineral deposits: Mining unearths sulfur-containing rocks and minerals. On the surface, these rocks and minerals react with rainwater and groundwater to form acidic water which runs into local rivers and streams.

     3. Certain Agricultural and Landuse Practices.

     4. Burning fossil fuels: Gasoline, coal and other fuels contain various amounts of sulfur. Burning fossil fuels in cars and power plants releases sulfur into the air. There it mixes with oxygen and water, producing sulfuric acid which falls to the Earth as sulfur-laced acid rain.

WHAT HAPPENS AS WE TRAVEL DOWNSTREAM?

A kayaker navigates the South Plattte River in Waterton Canyon near South Platte, CO.