Factors influencing the atmospheric flux of reduced sulphur compounds from North Sea inter-tidal areas

Measurements of the fluxes of reduced sulphur compounds to the atmosphere, from three types of inter-tidal site, representing saltmarsh creek, saltmarsh pan and saltmarsh vegetated surface, have been made using an enclosure method. The major S gases released were DMS, H₂S and COS. Their fluxes showed a strong seasonal variation with a summer maximum apparently related to elevated sediment temperature. Laboratory experiments revealed no influence of illumination upon the fluxes. In summer, a net export of DMS in estuarine water exiting from the marsh was demonstrated but there was no export during winter. The average fluxes of gases from sediments to the atmosphere in summer from these three sites were all of similar magnitude, although less than those reported from the North Sea water column. When the area of inter-tidal sediments was taken into account it was concluded that inter-tidal areas did not make a significant direct contribution to the regional atmospheric sulphur budget.