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Sulphur is a multivalent non-metal, abundant, tasteless and and
odorless. In its native form sulphur is a yellow crystalline solid. In
nature it occurs as the pure element or as sulfide and sulfate
minerals. Although sulphur is infamous for its smell, frequently compare
to rotten eggs, that odor is actually characteristic of hydrogen
sulphide (H2S).
The crystallography of sulphur is complex. Depending on the specific
conditions, sulphur allotropes form several distinct crystal structures.
Applications
The major derivative of sulphur is sulphuric acid (H2SO4), one
of the most important elements used as an industrial raw material.
Sulphur is also used in batteries, detergents, fungicides, manufacture
of fertilizers, gun power, matches and fireworks. Other applications are
making corrosion-resistant concrete which has great strength and is
forst resistant, for solvents and in a host of other products of the
chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Sulphur in the environment
Life on Earth may have been possible because of sulphur. Conditions
in the early seas were such that simple chemical reactions could have
generate the range of amino acids that are the building blocks of life.
Sulphur occurs naturally near volcanoes. Native sulphur occurs
naturally as massive deposits in Texas and Louisiana in the USA. Many
sulphide minerals are known: pyrite and marcaiste are iron sulphide ;
stibnite is antimony sulphide; galena is lead sulphide; cinnabar is
mercury sulphide and sphalerite is zinc sulphide. Other, more important,
sulphide ores are chalcopyrite, bornite, penlandite, millerite and
molybdenite.
The chief source of sulphur for industry is the hydrogen sulphide of
natural gas, Canada is the main producer.
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All living things need sulphur. It is
especially important for humans because it is part of the amino
acid methionine, which is an absolute dietary requirement for
us. The amino acid cysteine also contains sulphur. The average
person takes in around 900 mg of sulphur per day, mainly in the
form of protein.
Elemental sulphur is not toxic, but many
simple sulphur derivates are, such as sulphur dioxide (SO2)
and hydrogen sulfide.
Sulfur can be found commonly in nature as
sulphides. During several processes sulfur bonds are added to the
environment that are damaging to animals, as well as humans. These
damaging sulphur bonds are also shaped in nature during various
reactions, mostly when substances that are not naturally present
have already been added. They are unwanted because of their
unpleasant smells and are often highly toxic.
Globally sulphuric substances can have the following effects on
human health:
- Neurological effects and behavioural changes
- Disturbance of blood circulation
- Heart damage
- Effects on eyes and eyesight
- Reproductive failure
- Damage to immune systems
- Stomach and gastrointestinal disorder
- Damage to liver and kidney functions
- Hearing defects
- Disturbance of the hormonal metabolism
- Dermatological effects
- Suffocation and lung embolism
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Sulfur can be found in the air in many
different forms. It can cause irritations of the eyes and the
throat with animals, when the uptake takes place through
inhalation of sulfur in the gaseous phase. Sulfur is applied in
industries widely and emitted to air, due to the limited
possibilities of destruction of the sulfur bonds that are applied.
The damaging effects of sulfur with animals are mostly brain
damage, through malfunctioning of the hypothalamus, and damage to
the nervous system.
Laboratory tests with test animals have indicated that sulfur can
cause serious vascular damage in veins of the brains, the heart
and the kidneys. These tests have also indicated that certain
forms of sulfur can cause foetal damage and congenital effects.
Mothers can even carry sulfur poisoning over to their children
through mother milk.
Finally, sulfur can damage the internal enzyme systems of animals.
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Sources
of periodic table.
Back to the
periodic table of elements.
For more information on sulphur's place in the environment, move to
the sulphur
cycle.
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