Sulfur transformations in freshwater peat were studied using contrasting st
able isotope signatures of atmospheric input (high delta(34)S) and Sphagnum
peat substrate (low delta(34)S). Wet subsurface peat samples from the Lehs
tenbach watershed, Fichtelgebirge, Germany were incubated anaerobically at
5 and 15 degrees C. Pore-water sulfate was augmented with natural precipita
tion at the onset of the experiments. Sulfate concentrations and delta(34)S
ratios of residual pore water were measured in 1-day intervals (9 days) an
d 1-week intervals (7 weeks) at 15 degrees C, and in 1-week intervals (7 we
eks) at 5 degrees C. Initially, SO42- concentrations decreased (by 50 to 85
%) and delta(34)S ratios increased (by as much as 16 parts per thousand) at
both temperatures due to bacterially-mediated dissimilatory sulfate reduct
ion. At the higher temperature (15 degrees C), the S isotope effect (Delta
delta(34)S) was higher than at the lower temperature (5 degrees C). On day
4 (at 15 degrees C) and day 29 (at 5 degrees C), the delta(34)S ratio of po
re-water sulfate started to decrease by as much as 20 parts per thousand. T
he changing S isotope composition provided evidence for a dynamic turnover
of the pore-water sulfate pool in anaerobic pest. The observed delta(34)S p
attern could not be explained solely by isotope selectivity of the sulfate-
reducing bacteria. Sulfur isotope data indicated a replenishment of the sul
fate pool by hydrolysis of ester-sulfate.