hydrogen sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide is slightly denser than air. A mixture of {{chem2|H2S}} and air can be explosive.

In general, hydrogen sulfide acts as a reducing agent, as indicated by its ability to reduce sulfur dioxide in the Claus process. Hydrogen sulfide burns in oxygen with a blue flame to form sulfur dioxide ({{chem2|SO2}}) and water:

:{{chem2|2 H2S + 3 O2 → 2 SO2 + 2 H2O}}

If an excess of oxygen is present, sulfur trioxide ({{chem2|SO3}}) is formed, which quickly hydrates to sulfuric acid:

:{{chem2|H2S + 2 O2 → H2SO4}}

It is slightly soluble in water and acts as a weak acid (pK_a = 6.9 in 0.01–0.1 mol/litre solutions at 18 °C), giving the hydrosulfide ion {{chem2|HS-}}. Hydrogen sulfide and its solutions are colorless. When exposed to air, it slowly oxidizes to form elemental sulfur, which is not soluble in water. The sulfide anion {{chem2|S(2-)}} is not formed in aqueous solution.{{cite journal|last1=May|first1=P.M.|last2=Batka|first2=D.|last3=Hefter|first3=G.|last4=Könignberger|first4=E.|last5=Rowland|first5=D.|title=Goodbye to S2-|journal=Chem. Comm.|volume=54|issue=16|pages=1980–1983|date=2018|doi=10.1039/c8cc00187a|pmid=29404555}}

{{chem2|H2S and H2O}} exchange protons rapidly. This behavior is the basis of technologies for the purification of deuterium oxide ("heavy water" or {{chem2|D2O}}), which exploits the easy distillation of these compounds.{{cite book |doi=10.1002/0471238961.0919152008011212.a01 |chapter=Isotope Separation |title=Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology |date=2000 |last1=von Halle |first1=Edward |isbn=978-0-471-48494-3 }}

At pressures above 90 GPa (gigapascal), hydrogen sulfide becomes a metallic conductor of electricity. When cooled below a critical temperature this high-pressure phase exhibits superconductivity. The critical temperature increases with pressure, ranging from 23 K at 100 GPa to 150 K at 200 GPa.{{Cite arXiv|last1= Drozdov|first1=A.|last2=Eremets|first2=M. I.|last3=Troyan|first3=I. A.|title=Conventional superconductivity at 190 K at high pressures|eprint=1412.0460|year=2014|class=cond-mat.supr-con}} If hydrogen sulfide is pressurized at higher temperatures, then cooled, the critical temperature reaches {{convert|203|K|°C}}, which was the highest accepted superconducting critical temperature until the discovery of Lanthanum decahydride in 2019. By substituting a small part of sulfur with phosphorus and using even higher pressures, it has been predicted that it may be possible to raise the critical temperature to above {{convert|0|°C|K}} and achieve room-temperature superconductivity.{{cite journal |last1=Cartlidge |first1=Edwin |title=Superconductivity record sparks wave of follow-up physics |journal=Nature |date=August 2015 |volume=524 |issue=7565 |pages=277 |doi=10.1038/nature.2015.18191 |pmid=26289188 |bibcode=2015Natur.524..277C |doi-access=free }}

Hydrogen sulfide decomposes without a presence of a catalyst under atmospheric pressure around 1200 °C into hydrogen and sulfur.{{cite journal |title=The direct conversion of hydrogen sulfide to hydrogen and sulfur |journal=International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |date=1998 |volume=23 |issue=6 |pages=451–456 |doi=10.1016/S0360-3199(97)00099-2|last1=Faraji |first1=F. |bibcode=1998IJHE...23..451F }}

Hydrogen sulfide reacts with metal ions to form metal sulfides, which are insoluble, often dark colored solids. This behavior is the basis of the use of hydrogen sulfide as a reagent in the qualitative inorganic analysis of metal ions. In these analyses, heavy metal (and nonmetal) ions (e.g., Pb(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), As(III)) are precipitated from solution upon exposure to {{chem2|H2S}}. The components of the resulting solid are then identified by their reactivity. Lead(II) acetate paper is used to detect hydrogen sulfide because it readily converts to lead(II) sulfide, which is black.{{cite book|first1=Edward J.|last1=King|first2=Larkin H.|last2=Farinholt|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zikLAAAAIAAJ|title=Qualitative Analysis and Electrolytic Solutions|year=1959|publisher=Harcourt, Brace|oclc=594863676|location=New York}}{{cite book|last1=Vogel|first1=A. I.|last2=Svehla|first2=G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MpPenWMDPd0C|title=Vogel's Qualitative Inorganic Analysis|date=1996|publisher=Longman|location=Harlow, England (1996); New Delhi, India (2008)|isbn=9788177582321|oclc=792729931}}

Hydrogen sulfide is also responsible for tarnishing on various metals including copper and silver; the chemical responsible for black toning found on silver coins is silver sulfide ({{chem2|Ag2S}}), which is produced when the silver on the surface of the coin reacts with atmospheric hydrogen sulfide.{{Cite journal |last=JCE staff|date=March 2000 |title=Silver to Black - and Back|url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ed077p328A|journal=Journal of Chemical Education|volume=77|issue=3|pages=328A|doi=10.1021/ed077p328a |bibcode=2000JChEd..77R.328J |issn=0021-9584}} Coins that have been subject to toning by hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur-containing compounds may have the toning add to the numismatic value of a coin based on aesthetics, as the toning may produce thin-film interference, resulting in the coin taking on an attractive coloration.{{Cite web |title=What causes coins to tone – ICCS |url=https://iccscoin.ca/what-causes-coins-to-tone/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=iccscoin.ca|date=23 September 2021 }} Coins can also be intentionally treated with hydrogen sulfide to induce toning, though artificial toning can be distinguished from natural toning, and is generally criticised among collectors.{{Cite web|title=Coin Toning 101: The Differences between Naturally and Artificially Toned Coins|url=https://www.originalskincoins.com/blogs/news/coin-toning-101-the-differences-between-naturally-and-artificially-toned-coins|access-date=2021-10-15 |website=Original Skin Coins|date=26 June 2016 }}

Hydrogen sulfide is most commonly obtained by its separation from sour gas, which is natural gas with a high content of {{chem2|H2S}}. It can also be produced by treating hydrogen with molten elemental sulfur at about 450 °C. Hydrocarbons can serve as a source of hydrogen in this process.{{cite book |doi=10.1002/14356007.a13_467 |chapter=Hydrogen Sulfide |title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |year=2000 |last1=Pouliquen |first1=Francois |last2=Blanc |first2=Claude |last3=Arretz |first3=Emmanuel |last4=Labat |first4=Ives |last5=Tournier-Lasserve |first5=Jacques |last6=Ladousse |first6=Alain |last7=Nougayrede |first7=Jean |last8=Savin |first8=Gérard |last9=Ivaldi |first9=Raoul |last10=Nicolas |first10=Monique |last11=Fialaire |first11=Jean |last12=Millischer |first12=René |last13=Azema |first13=Charles |last14=Espagno |first14=Lucien |last15=Hemmer |first15=Henri |last16=Perrot |first16=Jacques |isbn=3527306730 }}

:{{chem2|S + H2 -> H2S}}

The very favorable thermodynamics for the hydrogenation of sulfur implies that the dehydrogenation (or cracking) of hydrogen sulfide would require very high temperatures.{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.cej.2023.141398 |title=Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) conversion to hydrogen (H2) and value-added chemicals: Progress, challenges and outlook |date=2023 |last1=Chan |first1=Yi Herng |last2=Loy |first2=Adrian Chun Minh |last3=Cheah |first3=Kin Wai |last4=Chai |first4=Slyvester Yew Wang |last5=Ngu |first5=Lock Hei |last6=How |first6=Bing Shen |last7=Li |first7=Claudia |last8=Lock |first8=Serene Sow Mun |last9=Wong |first9=Mee Kee |last10=Yiin |first10=Chung Loong |last11=Chin |first11=Bridgid Lai Fui |last12=Chan |first12=Zhe Phak |last13=Lam |first13=Su Shiung |journal=Chemical Engineering Journal |volume=458 |s2cid=255887336 |url=http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/41182/3/Hydrogen%20sulfide%20%28.pdf }}

A standard lab preparation is to treat ferrous sulfide with a strong acid in a Kipp generator:

:{{chem2|FeS + 2 HCl → FeCl2 + H2S}}

For use in qualitative inorganic analysis, thioacetamide is used to generate {{chem2|H2S}}:

:{{chem2|CH3C(S)NH2 + H2O → CH3C(O)NH2 + H2S}}

Many metal and nonmetal sulfides, e.g. aluminium sulfide, phosphorus pentasulfide, silicon disulfide liberate hydrogen sulfide upon exposure to water:{{cite book|last=McPherson|first=William|title=Laboratory manual|year=1913|publisher=Ginn and Company|location=Boston|page=445|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oaMe7OtctlIC&q=%22aluminium+sulfide%22}}

:{{chem2|6 H2O + Al2S3 → 3 H2S + 2 Al(OH)3}}

This gas is also produced by heating sulfur with solid organic compounds and by reducing sulfurated organic compounds with hydrogen.

It can also be produced by mixing ammonium thiocyanate to concentrated sulphuric acid and adding water to it.

Hydrogen sulfide can be generated in cells via enzymatic or non-enzymatic pathways. Three enzymes catalyze formation of {{chem|H|2|S}}: cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine β-synthetase (CBS), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST).{{Citation|last1=Huang|first1=Caleb Weihao|title=H2S Synthesizing Enzymes: Biochemistry and Molecular Aspects|volume=230|date=2015|work=Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology of Hydrogen Sulfide|pages=3–25|publisher=Springer International Publishing|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-18144-8_1|pmid=26162827|isbn=9783319181431|last2=Moore|first2=Philip Keith|series=Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology }} CBS and CSE are the main proponents of {{chem2|H2S}} biogenesis, which follows the trans-sulfuration pathway.{{cite journal |last1=Kabil |first1=Omer |last2=Vitvitsky |first2=Victor |last3=Xie |first3=Peter |last4=Banerjee |first4=Ruma |title=The Quantitative Significance of the Transsulfuration Enzymes for H 2 S Production in Murine Tissues |journal=Antioxidants & Redox Signaling |date=15 July 2011 |volume=15 |issue=2 |pages=363–372 |doi=10.1089/ars.2010.3781 |pmid=21254839 |pmc=3118817 }} These enzymes have been identified in a breadth of biological cells and tissues, and their activity is induced by a number of disease states.{{cite journal |last1=Kabil |first1=Omer |last2=Banerjee |first2=Ruma |title=Enzymology of H₂S Biogenesis, Decay and Signaling |journal=Antioxidants & Redox Signaling |date=10 February 2014 |volume=20 |issue=5 |pages=770–782 |doi=10.1089/ars.2013.5339 |pmid=23600844 |pmc=3910450 }} These enzymes are characterized by the transfer of a sulfur atom from methionine to serine to form a cysteine molecule. 3-MST also contributes to hydrogen sulfide production by way of the cysteine catabolic pathway. Dietary amino acids, such as methionine and cysteine serve as the primary substrates for the transulfuration pathways and in the production of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide can also be derived from proteins such as ferredoxins and Rieske proteins.

Sulfate-reducing (resp. sulfur-reducing) bacteria generate usable energy under low-oxygen conditions by using sulfates (resp. elemental sulfur) to oxidize organic compounds or hydrogen; this produces hydrogen sulfide as a waste product.{{citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yu2lmzwcQ6UC&q=sulfate+reducing+bacteria|title=Sulfate-reducing bacteria|editor=Larry Barton |year=1995|publisher=Springer|isbn=9780306448577}}

{{chem2|H2S}} in the body acts as a gaseous signaling molecule with implications for health and in diseases.{{cite journal |last1=Wallace |first1=John L. |last2=Wang |first2=Rui |title=Hydrogen sulfide-based therapeutics: exploiting a unique but ubiquitous gasotransmitter |journal=Nature Reviews Drug Discovery |date=May 2015 |volume=14 |issue=5 |pages=329–345 |doi=10.1038/nrd4433 |pmid=25849904 |s2cid=5361233 }}{{cite journal | last1=Powell | first1=Chadwick R. | last2=Dillon | first2=Kearsley M. | last3=Matson | first3=John B. | title=A review of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donors: Chemistry and potential therapeutic applications | journal=Biochemical Pharmacology | volume=149 | year=2018 | issn=0006-2952 | pmid=29175421 | pmc=5866188 | doi=10.1016/j.bcp.2017.11.014 | pages=110–123}}{{Cite journal |last1=Cirino |first1=Giuseppe |last2=Szabo |first2=Csaba |last3=Papapetropoulos |first3=Andreas |date=2023-01-01 |title=Physiological roles of hydrogen sulfide in mammalian cells, tissues, and organs |url=https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00028.2021?checkFormatAccess=true |journal=Physiological Reviews |language=en |volume=103 |issue=1 |pages=31–276 |doi=10.1152/physrev.00028.2021 |pmid=35435014 |issn=0031-9333}}

Hydrogen sulfide is involved in vasodilation in animals, as well as in increasing seed germination and stress responses in plants. Hydrogen sulfide signaling is moderated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). {{chem2|H2S}} has been shown to interact with the NO pathway resulting in several different cellular effects, including the inhibition of cGMP phosphodiesterases,{{Cite journal |last1=Bucci |first1=Mariarosaria |last2=Papapetropoulos |first2=Andreas |last3=Vellecco |first3=Valentina |last4=Zhou |first4=Zongmin |last5=Pyriochou |first5=Anastasia |last6=Roussos |first6=Charis |last7=Roviezzo |first7=Fiorentina |last8=Brancaleone |first8=Vincenzo |last9=Cirino |first9=Giuseppe |date=2010 |title=Hydrogen Sulfide Is an Endogenous Inhibitor of Phosphodiesterase Activity |url=https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/ATVBAHA.110.209783 |journal=Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology |language=en |volume=30 |issue=10 |pages=1998–2004 |doi=10.1161/ATVBAHA.110.209783 |pmid=20634473 |issn=1079-5642}} as well as the formation of another signal called nitrosothiol. Hydrogen sulfide is also known to increase the levels of glutathione, which acts to reduce or disrupt ROS levels in cells.

The field of {{chem2|H2S}} biology has advanced from environmental toxicology to investigate the roles of endogenously produced {{chem2|H2S}} in physiological conditions and in various pathophysiological states.{{cite journal |last1=Szabo |first1=Csaba |title=A Timeline of Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) Research: From Environmental toxin to biological mediator |journal=Biochemical Pharmacology |date=March 2018 |volume=149 |pages=5–19 |doi=10.1016/j.bcp.2017.09.010 |pmid=28947277 |pmc=5862769 }} {{chem2|H2S}} has been implicated in cancer, in Down syndrome and in vascular disease.{{cite journal |last1=Szabo |first1=Csaba |last2=Papapetropoulos |first2=Andreas |title=International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CII: Pharmacological Modulation of H₂S Levels: H₂S Donors and H₂S Biosynthesis Inhibitors |journal=Pharmacological Reviews |date=October 2017 |volume=69 |issue=4 |pages=497–564 |doi=10.1124/pr.117.014050 |pmid=28978633 |pmc=5629631 }}{{cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Rui |title=Physiological Implications of Hydrogen Sulfide: A Whiff Exploration That Blossomed |journal=Physiological Reviews |date=April 2012 |volume=92 |issue=2 |pages=791–896 |doi=10.1152/physrev.00017.2011 |pmid=22535897 |s2cid=21932297 }}{{cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Zhen |last2=Polhemus |first2=David J. |last3=Lefer |first3=David J. |title=Evolution of Hydrogen Sulfide Therapeutics to Treat Cardiovascular Disease |journal=Circulation Research |date=17 August 2018 |volume=123 |issue=5 |pages=590–600 |doi=10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.311134 |pmid=30355137 |s2cid=53027283 |doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |last1=Kimura |first1=Hideo |title=Signalling by Hydrogen Sulfide and Polysulfides via Protein S-Sulfuration |journal=British Journal of Pharmacology |date=February 2020 |volume=177 |issue=4 |pages=720–733 |doi=10.1111/bph.14579 |pmid=30657595 |pmc=7024735 }}

At lower concentrations, it stimulates mitochondrial function via multiple mechanisms including direct electron donation.{{Cite journal |last1=Goubern |first1=Marc |last2=Andriamihaja |first2=Mireille |last3=Nübel |first3=Tobias |last4=Blachier |first4=Francois |last5=Bouillaud |first5=Frédéric |date=2007 |title=Sulfide, the first inorganic substrate for human cells |journal=The FASEB Journal |language=en |volume=21 |issue=8 |pages=1699–1706 |doi=10.1096/fj.06-7407com |doi-access=free |pmid=17314140 |issn=0892-6638}}{{Cite journal |last1=Murphy |first1=Brennah |last2=Bhattacharya |first2=Resham |last3=Mukherjee |first3=Priyabrata |date=2019 |title=Hydrogen sulfide signaling in mitochondria and disease |journal=The FASEB Journal |language=en |volume=33 |issue=12 |pages=13098–13125 |doi=10.1096/fj.201901304R |doi-access=free |issn=0892-6638 |pmc=6894098 |pmid=31648556}} However, at higher concentrations, it inhibits Complex IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which effectively reduces ATP generation and biochemical activity within cells.{{Cite book|title=Cell signalling|last=Hancock|first=John T.|isbn=9780199658480|edition= Fourth|location=Oxford, United Kingdom |oclc=947925636|year=2017}}

Hydrogen sulfide is mainly consumed as a precursor to elemental sulfur. This conversion, called the Claus process, involves partial oxidation to sulfur dioxide. The latter reacts with hydrogen sulfide to give elemental sulfur. The conversion is catalyzed by alumina.{{Cite book |last=Lee |first=J. D. |title=Concise inorganic chemistry |date=1998 |publisher=Blackwell Science |isbn=978-0-632-05293-6 |edition=5. ed., reprinted |location=Oxford |page=538}}

:{{chem2|2H2S + SO2→ 3S + 2H2O}}

Many fundamental organosulfur compounds are produced using hydrogen sulfide. These include methanethiol, ethanethiol, and thioglycolic acid. Hydrosulfides can be used in the production of thiophenol.{{cite journal |last1=Khazaei |first1=Ardeshir |last2=Kazem-Rostami |first2=Masoud |last3=Moosavi-Zare |first3=Ahmad |last4=Bayat |first4=Mohammad |last5=Saednia |first5=Shahnaz |title=Novel One-Pot Synthesis of Thiophenols from Related Triazenes under Mild Conditions |journal=Synlett |date=August 2012 |volume=23 |issue=13 |pages=1893–1896 |doi=10.1055/s-0032-1316557 |s2cid=196805424 }}

Upon combining with alkali metal bases, hydrogen sulfide converts to alkali hydrosulfides such as sodium hydrosulfide and sodium sulfide:

:{{chem2|H2S + NaOH → NaSH + H2O}}

:{{chem2|NaSH + NaOH → Na2S + H2O}}

Sodium sulfides are used in the paper making industry. Specifically, salts of {{chem2|SH−}} break bonds between lignin and cellulose components of pulp in the Kraft process.

As indicated above, many metal ions react with hydrogen sulfide to give the corresponding metal sulfides. Oxidic ores are sometimes treated with hydrogen sulfide to give the corresponding metal sulfides which are more readily purified by flotation.Metal parts are sometimes passivated with hydrogen sulfide. Catalysts used in hydrodesulfurization are routinely activated with hydrogen sulfide.

Image:Deposit from hydrogen sulphide.jpg on a rock, caused by volcanic gas]]

Volcanoes and some hot springs (as well as cold springs) emit some {{chem2|H2S}}. Hydrogen sulfide can be present naturally in well water, often as a result of the action of sulfate-reducing bacteria.{{cite web|title=Hydrogen Sulphide In Well Water|url=https://extension.psu.edu/hydrogen-sulfide-rotten-egg-odor-in-water-wells|access-date=4 September 2018}}{{better source needed|date = January 2020}} Hydrogen sulfide is produced by the human body in small quantities through bacterial breakdown of proteins containing sulfur in the intestinal tract; it therefore contributes to the characteristic odor of flatulence. It is also produced in the mouth (halitosis).{{cite web|author=Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry|date=July 2006|title=Toxicological Profile For Hydrogen Sulfide|url=http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp114.pdf|access-date=2012-06-20|page=154}}

A portion of global {{chem2|H2S}} emissions are due to human activity. By far the largest industrial source of {{chem2|H2S}} is petroleum refineries: The hydrodesulfurization process liberates sulfur from petroleum by the action of hydrogen. The resulting {{chem2|H2S}} is converted to elemental sulfur by partial combustion via the Claus process, which is a major source of elemental sulfur. Other anthropogenic sources of hydrogen sulfide include coke ovens, paper mills (using the Kraft process), tanneries and sewerage. {{chem2|H2S}} arises from virtually anywhere where elemental sulfur comes in contact with organic material, especially at high temperatures. Depending on environmental conditions, it is responsible for deterioration of material through the action of some sulfur oxidizing microorganisms. It is called biogenic sulfide corrosion.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

In 2011 it was reported that increased concentrations of {{chem2|H2S}} were observed in the Bakken formation crude, possibly due to oil field practices, and presented challenges such as "health and environmental risks, corrosion of wellbore, added expense with regard to materials handling and pipeline equipment, and additional refinement requirements".{{cite web|url=http://www.onepetro.org/mslib/servlet/onepetropreview?id=SPE-141434-MS|title=Home - OnePetro|author=OnePetro|work=onepetro.org|access-date=2013-08-14|archive-date=2013-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014053027/http://www.onepetro.org/mslib/servlet/onepetropreview?id=SPE-141434-MS|url-status=dead}}

Besides living near gas and oil drilling operations, ordinary citizens can be exposed to hydrogen sulfide by being near waste water treatment facilities, landfills and farms with manure storage. Exposure occurs through breathing contaminated air or drinking contaminated water.{{cite web|title=Hydrogen Sulfide|url=https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts114.pdf|publisher=Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry|date=December 2016}}

In municipal waste landfill sites, the burial of organic material rapidly leads to the production of anaerobic digestion within the waste mass and, with the humid atmosphere and relatively high temperature that accompanies biodegradation, biogas is produced as soon as the air within the waste mass has been reduced. If there is a source of sulfate bearing material, such as plasterboard or natural gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate), under anaerobic conditions sulfate reducing bacteria converts this to hydrogen sulfide. These bacteria cannot survive in air but the moist, warm, anaerobic conditions of buried waste that contains a high source of carbon – in inert landfills, paper and glue used in the fabrication of products such as plasterboard can provide a rich source of carbon{{Cite journal |doi = 10.1016/S1093-0191(00)00056-3|title = Sulfate leaching from recovered construction and demolition debris fines|journal = Advances in Environmental Research|volume = 5|issue = 3|pages = 203–217|year = 2001|last1 = Jang|first1 = Yong-Chul|last2 = Townsend|first2 = Timothy| bibcode=2001AdvER...5..203J }} – is an excellent environment for the formation of hydrogen sulfide.

In industrial anaerobic digestion processes, such as waste water treatment or the digestion of organic waste from agriculture, hydrogen sulfide can be formed from the reduction of sulfate and the degradation of amino acids and proteins within organic compounds.{{Cite web|url=http://www.valorgas.soton.ac.uk/Pub_docs/JyU%20SS%202011/CC%201.pdf|title=Anaerobic digestion fundamentals|last=Cavinato|first=C. |date=2013|orig-year=2013}} Sulfates are relatively non-inhibitory to methane forming bacteria but can be reduced to {{chem2|H2S}} by sulfate reducing bacteria, of which there are several genera.{{cite journal |last1=Pokorna |first1=Dana |last2=Zabranska |first2=Jana |title=Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in environmental technology |journal=Biotechnology Advances |date=November 2015 |volume=33 |issue=6 |pages=1246–1259 |doi=10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.02.007 |pmid=25701621 }}

A number of processes have been designed to remove hydrogen sulfide from drinking water.{{cite web |last1=Lemley |first1=Ann T. |last2=Schwartz |first2=John J. |last3=Wagenet |first3=Linda P. |title=Hydrogen Sulfide in Household Drinking Water |url=http://waterquality.cce.cornell.edu/publications/CCEWQ-07-HydrogenSulfide.pdf |publisher=Cornell University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819132148/http://waterquality.cce.cornell.edu/publications/CCEWQ-07-HydrogenSulfide.pdf |archive-date=19 August 2019 |url-status=dead}}

; Continuous chlorination: For levels up to 75 mg/L chlorine is used in the purification process as an oxidizing chemical to react with hydrogen sulfide. This reaction yields insoluble solid sulfur. Usually the chlorine used is in the form of sodium hypochlorite.{{cite web|title=Hydrogen Sulfide (Rotten Egg Odor) in Pennsylvania Groundwater Wells|url=http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/drinking-water/water-testing/pollutants/hydrogen-sulfide-rotten-egg-odor-in-pennsylvania-groundwater-wells|website=Penn State|publisher=Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences|access-date=1 December 2014|archive-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104222350/http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/drinking-water/water-testing/pollutants/hydrogen-sulfide-rotten-egg-odor-in-pennsylvania-groundwater-wells|url-status=dead}}

; Aeration: For concentrations of hydrogen sulfide less than 2 mg/L aeration is an ideal treatment process. Oxygen is added to water and a reaction between oxygen and hydrogen sulfide react to produce odorless sulfate.{{cite web|last1=McFarland|first1=Mark L.|last2=Provin|first2=T. L.|title=Hydrogen Sulfide in Drinking Water Treatment Causes and Alternatives|url=http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/publications/L-5312.pdf|publisher=Texas A&M University|access-date=1 December 2014|archive-date=30 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730113102/http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/publications/L-5312.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Hydrogen sulfide is commonly found in raw natural gas and biogas. It is typically removed by amine gas treating technologies. In such processes, the hydrogen sulfide is first converted to an ammonium salt, whereas the natural gas is unaffected.{{cite book|author1=Arthur Kohl |author2=Richard Nielson |title=Gas Purification|edition=5th|publisher=Gulf Publishing|year=1997|isbn=0-88415-220-0}}{{cite book|author1=Gary, J.H. |author2=Handwerk, G.E.|title=Petroleum Refining Technology and Economics|edition=2nd|publisher=Marcel Dekker, Inc|year=1984|isbn=0-8247-7150-8}}

: {{chem2|RNH2 + H2S ⇌ [RNH3]+ + SH−}}

The bisulfide anion is subsequently regenerated by heating of the amine sulfide solution. Hydrogen sulfide generated in this process is typically converted to elemental sulfur using the Claus Process.

Image:AmineTreating.png of a typical amine treating process used in petroleum refineries, natural gas processing plants and other industrial facilities]]

The underground mine gas term for foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide-rich gas mixtures is stinkdamp. Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic and flammable gas (flammable range: 4.3–46%). It can poison several systems in the body, although the nervous system is most affected.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} The toxicity of {{chem2|H2S}} is comparable with that of carbon monoxide.{{cite journal |last1=Lindenmann |first1=J. |last2=Matzi |first2=V. |last3=Neuboeck |first3=N. |last4=Ratzenhofer-Komenda |first4=B. |last5=Maier |first5=A |last6=Smolle-Juettner |first6=F. M. |title=Severe hydrogen sulphide poisoning treated with 4-dimethylaminophenol and hyperbaric oxygen |journal=Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine |volume=40 |issue=4 |pages=213–217 |date=December 2010 |pmid=23111938 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/10235 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615171751/http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/10235 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |access-date=2013-06-07}} It binds with iron in the mitochondrial cytochrome enzymes, thus preventing cellular respiration. Its toxic properties were described in detail in 1843 by Justus von Liebig.{{Cite journal|last=Harrison|first=J. Bower|date=1843-11-18|title=Some Remarks on the Production of Sulphuretted Hydrogen Gas in the Alimentary Canal, and Its Effects on the System |journal=Provincial Medical Journal and Retrospect of the Medical Sciences |volume=7|issue=164 |pages=127–129|jstor=25492480}}

Even before hydrogen sulfide was discovered, Italian physician Bernardino Ramazzini hypothesized in his 1713 book De Morbis Artificum Diatriba that occupational diseases of sewer-workers and blackening of coins in their clothes may be caused by an unknown invisible volatile acid (moreover, in late 18th century toxic gas emanation from Paris sewers became a problem for the citizens and authorities).{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=A Short History of Hydrogen Sulfide |url=https://www.americanscientist.org/article/a-short-history-of-hydrogen-sulfide |access-date=2023-12-25 |website=American Scientist |language=en}}

Although very pungent at first (it smells like rotten eggs{{cite web|title=Why Does My Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs? |url=https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/wells/waterquality/hydrosulfide.html |publisher=Minnesota Department of Health |access-date=20 January 2020}}), it quickly deadens the sense of smell, creating temporary anosmia,{{Cite book|last=Contaminants|first=National Research Council (US) Committee on Emergency and Continuous Exposure Guidance Levels for Selected Submarine |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219913/|title=Hydrogen Sulfide|date=2009|publisher=National Academies Press (US)|language=en}} so victims may be unaware of its presence until it is too late. Safe handling procedures are provided by its safety data sheet (SDS).{{cite web

|last=Iowa State University

|publisher=Department of Chemistry

|title=Hydrogen Sulfide Material Safety Data Sheet

|url=http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/hydrogen_sulfide.pdf

|access-date=2009-03-14

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327094137/http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/hydrogen_sulfide.pdf

|archive-date=2009-03-27

}}

Since hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally in the body, the environment, and the gut, enzymes exist to metabolize it. At some threshold level, believed to average around 300–350 ppm, the oxidative enzymes become overwhelmed. Many personal safety gas detectors, such as those used by utility, sewage and petrochemical workers, are set to alarm at as low as 5 to 10 ppm and to go into high alarm at 15 ppm. Metabolism causes oxidation to sulfate, which is harmless.{{cite journal |last1=Ramasamy |first1=S. |last2=Singh |first2=S. |last3=Taniere |first3=P. |last4=Langman |first4=M. J. S. |last5=Eggo |first5=M. C. |title=Sulfide-detoxifying enzymes in the human colon are decreased in cancer and upregulated in differentiation |journal=American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology |date=August 2006 |volume=291 |issue=2 |pages=G288–G296 |doi=10.1152/ajpgi.00324.2005 |pmid=16500920 |s2cid=15443357 }} Hence, low levels of hydrogen sulfide may be tolerated indefinitely.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

Exposure to lower concentrations can result in eye irritation, a sore throat and cough, nausea, shortness of breath, and fluid in the lungs. These effects are believed to be due to hydrogen sulfide combining with alkali present in moist surface tissues to form sodium sulfide, a caustic.{{cite book |last=Lewis |first=Richard J. |title=Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials |edition=9th |location=New York, NY |publisher=Van Nostrand Reinhold |date=1996 |isbn=0442022557|page=1844}} These symptoms usually subside in a few weeks.

Long-term, low-level exposure may result in fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, poor memory, and dizziness. Chronic exposure to low level {{chem2|H2S}} (around 2 ppm) has been implicated in increased miscarriage and reproductive health issues among Russian and Finnish wood pulp workers,{{cite journal|last1=Hemminki |first1=K. |last2=Niemi |first2=M. L. |date=1982 |journal=Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health |volume=51 |issue=1 |pages=55–63|title=Community study of spontaneous abortions: relation to occupation and air pollution by sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon disulfide|pmid=7152702 |doi=10.1007/bf00378410|bibcode=1982IAOEH..51...55H |s2cid=2768183 }} but the reports have not (as of 1995) been replicated.

Short-term, high-level exposure can induce immediate collapse, with loss of breathing and a high probability of death. If death does not occur, high exposure to hydrogen sulfide can lead to cortical pseudolaminar necrosis, degeneration of the basal ganglia and cerebral edema. Although respiratory paralysis may be immediate, it can also be delayed up to 72 hours.{{cite web |url=http://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/hazmat-equipment/articles/968922-The-chemical-suicide-phenomenon/ |title=The chemical suicide phenomenon |publisher=Firerescue1.com |date=2011-02-07 |access-date=2013-12-19 |archive-date=2015-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404182626/http://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/hazmat-equipment/articles/968922-The-chemical-suicide-phenomenon/ |url-status=dead }}

Inhalation of {{chem2|H2S}} resulted in about 7 workplace deaths per year in the U.S. (2011–2017 data), second only to carbon monoxide (17 deaths per year) for workplace chemical inhalation deaths.{{cite web |title=Fatal chemical inhalations in the workplace up in 2017 |url=https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2019/fatal-chemical-inhalations-in-the-workplace-up-in-2017.htm |publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |access-date=15 April 2022}}

• Exposure limits stipulated by the United States government:{{Cite web|title=Hydrogen Sulfide - Hazards {{!}} Occupational Safety and Health Administration|url=https://www.osha.gov/hydrogen-sulfide/hazards|access-date=2021-09-27|website=www.osha.gov}}
• 10 ppm REL-Ceiling (NIOSH): recommended permissible exposure ceiling (the recommended level that must not be exceeded, except once for 10 min. in an 8-hour shift, if no other measurable exposure occurs)
• 20 ppm PEL-Ceiling (OSHA): permissible exposure ceiling (the level that must not be exceeded, except once for 10 min. in an 8-hour shift, if no other measurable exposure occurs)
• 50 ppm PEL-Peak (OSHA): peak permissible exposure (the level that must never be exceeded)
• 100 ppm IDLH (NIOSH): immediately dangerous to life and health (the level that interferes with the ability to escape)
• 0.00047 ppm or 0.47 ppb is the odor threshold, the point at which 50% of a human panel can detect the presence of an odor without being able to identify it.{{cite web|author=Iowa State University Extension|date=May 2004|title=The Science of Smell Part 1: Odor perception and physiological response|url=http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1963A.pdf|access-date=2012-06-20|work=PM 1963a}}
• 10–20 ppm is the borderline concentration for eye irritation.
• 50–100 ppm leads to eye damage.
• At 100–150 ppm the olfactory nerve is paralyzed after a few inhalations, and the sense of smell disappears, often together with awareness of danger.USEPA; Health and Environmental Effects Profile for Hydrogen Sulfide p.118-8 (1980) ECAO-CIN-026A{{cite book|last1=Zenz |first1=C. |first2=O.B. |last2=Dickerson |first3=E.P. |last3=Horvath |title=Occupational Medicine. |edition= 3rd |location=St. Louis, MO. |date=1994 |page=886}}
• 320–530 ppm leads to pulmonary edema with the possibility of death.
• 530–1000 ppm causes strong stimulation of the central nervous system and rapid breathing, leading to loss of breathing.
• 800 ppm is the lethal concentration for 50% of humans for 5 minutes' exposure (LC50).
• Concentrations over 1000 ppm cause immediate collapse with loss of breathing, even after inhalation of a single breath.

Treatment involves immediate inhalation of amyl nitrite, injections of sodium nitrite, or administration of 4-dimethylaminophenol in combination with inhalation of pure oxygen, administration of bronchodilators to overcome eventual bronchospasm, and in some cases hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT has clinical and anecdotal support.{{cite journal |last1=Gerasimon |first1=Gregg |last2=Bennett |first2=Steven |last3=Musser |first3=Jeffrey |last4=Rinard |first4=John |title=Acute hydrogen sulfide poisoning in a dairy farmer |journal=Clinical Toxicology |date=January 2007 |volume=45 |issue=4 |pages=420–423 |doi=10.1080/15563650601118010 |pmid=17486486 |s2cid=10952243 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1234517 }}{{cite journal |last1=Belley |first1=R. |last2=Bernard |first2=N. |last3=Côté |first3=M |last4=Paquet |first4=F. |last5=Poitras |first5=J. |title=Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of two cases of hydrogen sulfide toxicity from liquid manure |journal=CJEM |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=257–261 |date=July 2005 |pmid=17355683 |doi=10.1017/s1481803500014408 |doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |last1=Hsu |first1=P |last2=Li |first2=H-W |last3=Lin |first3=Y-T |title=Acute hydrogen sulfide poisoning treated with hyperbaric oxygen. |journal=Journal of Hyperbaric Medicine |date=1987 |volume=2 |issue=4 |pages=215–221 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/4354 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207074326/http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/4354 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=December 7, 2008 }}

Hydrogen sulfide was used by the British Army as a chemical weapon during World War I. It was not considered to be an ideal war gas, partially due to its flammability and because the distinctive smell could be detected from even a small leak, alerting the enemy to the presence of the gas. It was nevertheless used on two occasions in 1916 when other gases were in short supply.{{cite book

| last = Foulkes

| first = Charles Howard

| author-link = Charles Foulkes (British Army officer)

| title = "Gas!" The story of the special brigade

| publisher = Published by Naval & Military P.

| year = 2001

| orig-year = First published Blackwood & Sons, 1934

| isbn = 978-1-84342-088-0

| page = 105 }}

On September 2, 2005, a leak in the propeller room of a Royal Caribbean Cruise Liner docked in Los Angeles resulted in the deaths of 3 crewmen due to a sewage line leak. As a result, all such compartments are now required to have a ventilation system.{{cite web |url=http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/reports/spclrpts/spcrpt05/DeathsHydrogenSulfide05.pdf |website=County of Los Angeles: Department of Public Health |title=LA County Department of Public Health |access-date=2017-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218043631/http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/Acd/reports/spclrpts/spcrpt05/DeathsHydrogenSulfide05.pdf |archive-date=2017-02-18 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|title=Gas Kills 3 Crewmen on Ship |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-sep-03-me-port3-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=2005-09-03 |last1=Becerra |first1=Hector |last2=Pierson |first2=David }}

A dump of toxic waste containing hydrogen sulfide is believed to have caused 17 deaths and thousands of illnesses in Abidjan, on the West African coast, in the 2006 Côte d'Ivoire toxic waste dump.Amnesty International and Greenpeace Netherlands: The Toxic Truth - About a company called Trafigura, a ship called the Probo Koala, and the dumping of toxic waste in Côte d’Ivoire. Amnesty International Publications, London 2012, {{ISBN|978-0-86210-478-8}}. ([http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/afr310022012eng.pdf PDF, 232 pages, 7.6 Mb] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214053/http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/afr310022012eng.pdf |date=3 March 2016 }})

In September 2008, three workers were killed and two suffered serious injury, including long term brain damage, at a mushroom growing company in Langley, British Columbia. A valve to a pipe that carried chicken manure, straw and gypsum to the compost fuel for the mushroom growing operation became clogged, and as workers unclogged the valve in a confined space without proper ventilation the hydrogen sulfide that had built up due to anaerobic decomposition of the material was released, poisoning the workers in the surrounding area.{{cite web|title=Details of Langley mushroom farm tragedy finally disclosed|url=https://www.abbynews.com/news/details-of-langley-mushroom-farm-tragedy-finally-disclosed/|first=Dan|last=Ferguson|publisher=Abbotsford News|date=September 16, 2011|access-date=April 13, 2020}} An investigator said there could have been more fatalities if the pipe had been fully cleared and/or if the wind had changed directions.{{cite news|title=Dozens could have died because of owner's negligence in B.C. mushroom farm incident: investigator|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/dozens-could-have-died-because-of-owners-negligence-in-bc-mushroom-farm-incident-investigator/article4106103/|work=The Canadian Press|publisher=The Globe and Mail|first=Terri|last=Theodore|date=May 8, 2012|access-date=April 13, 2020}}

In 2014, levels of hydrogen sulfide as high as 83 ppm were detected at a recently built mall in Thailand called Siam Square One at the Siam Square area. Shop tenants at the mall reported health complications such as sinus inflammation, breathing difficulties and eye irritation. After investigation it was determined that the large amount of gas originated from imperfect treatment and disposal of waste water in the building.{{cite web|title=Do not breathe: Dangerous, toxic gas found at Siam Square One|url=http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/10/21/do-not-breathe-dangerous-toxic-gas-found-siam-square-one|website=Coconuts Bangkok|publisher=Coconuts Media |access-date=20 November 2014|date=2014-10-21}}

In 2014, hydrogen sulfide gas killed workers at the Promenade shopping center in North Scottsdale, Arizona, USA {{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/two-sewer-workers-die-apparently-due-to-toxic-fumes/ | title=Two sewer workers die, apparently due to toxic fumes - CBS News | website=CBS News | date=26 August 2014 }} after climbing into 15 ft deep chamber without wearing personal protective gear. "Arriving crews recorded high levels of hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide coming out of the sewer."

In November 2014, a substantial amount of hydrogen sulfide gas shrouded the central, eastern and southeastern parts of Moscow. Residents living in the area were urged to stay indoors by the emergencies ministry. Although the exact source of the gas was not known, blame had been placed on a Moscow oil refinery.{{cite news|title=Russian capital Moscow shrouded in noxious gas|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29990375|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=1 December 2014|work=BBC News|date=2014-11-10}}

In June 2016, a mother and her daughter were found dead in their still-running 2006 Porsche Cayenne SUV against a guardrail on Florida's Turnpike, initially thought to be victims of carbon monoxide poisoning.{{cite news |title=Sources: Mom, daughter found dead in Porsche likely died from carbon monoxide |url=https://www.wftv.com/news/local/sources-mom-daughter-found-dead-in-porsche-likely-died-from-carbon-monoxide/328786342/ |work=WFTV |date=7 June 2016 |quote=Both had red skin and rash-like symptoms, and had vomited, sources said. }}{{cite news|last1=Salinger|first1=Tobias|title=Woman, girl died after inhaling hydrogen sulfide, coroners say|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/woman-girl-died-inhaling-hydrogen-sulfide-coroners-article-1.2817657|access-date=28 April 2017|work=New York Daily News|date=4 October 2016}} Their deaths remained unexplained as the medical examiner waited for results of toxicology tests on the victims,{{cite news|last1=Lotan|first1=Gal Tziperman|title=Hydrogen sulfide inhalation killed mother, toddler found on Florida's Turnpike in June|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-latifa-lincoln-dead-hydrogen-sulfide-20161004-story.html|access-date=28 April 2017|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=4 October 2016}} until urine tests revealed that hydrogen sulfide was the cause of death. A report from the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner's Office indicated that toxic fumes came from the Porsche's starter battery, located under the front passenger seat.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wesh.com/news/medical-examiner-confirms-suspected-cause-of-deaths-in-turnpike-mystery/41939954|title=Medical examiner confirms suspected cause of deaths in Turnpike mystery|last=Kealing|first=Bob|access-date=2016-10-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005164308/http://www.wesh.com/news/medical-examiner-confirms-suspected-cause-of-deaths-in-turnpike-mystery/41939954|archive-date=2016-10-05}}{{cite web|last1=Bell|first1=Lisa|others=Produced by Donovan Myrie |title=Hidden car dangers you should be aware of|url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/investigators/hidden-car-dangers-you-should-be-aware-of |website=ClickOrlando.com |publisher=WKMG-TV|access-date=28 April 2017|date=19 March 2017|quote=Porsche Cayennes, along with a few other vehicles, have their batteries in the passenger compartment.}}

In January 2017, three utility workers in Key Largo, Florida, died one by one within seconds of descending into a narrow space beneath a manhole cover to check a section of paved street.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/01/18/three-utility-workers-descend-to-their-deaths-in-florida-manhole-overcome-by-fumes/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118220358/https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/01/18/three-utility-workers-descend-to-their-deaths-in-florida-manhole-overcome-by-fumes/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-01-18|title=One by one, 3 utility workers descended into a manhole. One by one, they died |website=www.washingtonpost.com}} In an attempt to save the men, a firefighter who entered the hole without his air tank (because he could not fit through the hole with it) collapsed within seconds and had to be rescued by a colleague.{{cite news|last1=Goodhue|first1=David|title=Firefighter who tried to save 3 men in a manhole is fighting for his life|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article126958804.html|access-date=28 April 2017|work=Miami Herald|date=17 January 2017}} The firefighter was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital and later recovered.{{cite news |title=Key Largo firefighter takes first steps since nearly getting killed |url=https://wsvn.com/news/local/key-largo-firefighter-takes-first-steps-since-nearly-getting-killed/ |work=WSVN |date=18 January 2017 }}{{cite news |title=Firefighter who survived Key Largo rescue attempt that killed 3 leaves hospital |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/sfl-ap-key-largo-firefighter-recovering-20170126-story.html |work=Sun Sentinel |agency=The Associated Press |date=26 January 2017 }} A Monroe County Sheriff officer initially determined that the space contained hydrogen sulfide and methane gas produced by decomposing vegetation.{{cite news|last1=Rabin|first1=Charles|last2=Goodhue|first2=David|title=Three Keys utility workers die in wastewater trench|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article126799319.html|access-date=28 April 2017|work=Miami Herald|date=16 January 2017}}

On May 24, 2018, two workers were killed, another seriously injured, and 14 others hospitalized by hydrogen sulfide inhalation at a Norske Skog paper mill in Albury, New South Wales.{{cite news |last=Clantar |first=Claire |title=Former Victorian paper mill fined $1 million after deaths of two workers |work=9News |date=25 Sep 2020 |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/norske-skog-paper-mill-1-million-fine-after-deaths-of-two-employees/2320f231-debc-4ae4-9fae-e4933bbb9c8b |access-date=30 May 2021}}{{cite news |author= |title=Two fatalities in suspected hydrogen sulfide gas leak at paper mill |work=Australian Institute of Health & Safety |date=31 May 2018 |url=https://www.aihs.org.au/news-and-publications/news/two-fatalities-in-suspected-hydrogen-sulfide-gas-leak-paper-mill |access-date=30 May 2021}} An investigation by SafeWork NSW found that the gas was released from a tank used to hold process water. The workers were exposed at the end of a 3-day maintenance period. Hydrogen sulfide had built up in an upstream tank, which had been left stagnant and untreated with biocide during the maintenance period. These conditions allowed sulfate-reducing bacteria to grow in the upstream tank, as the water contained small quantities of wood pulp and fiber. The high rate of pumping from this tank into the tank involved in the incident caused hydrogen sulfide gas to escape from various openings around its top when pumping was resumed at the end of the maintenance period. The area above it was sufficiently enclosed for the gas to pool there, despite not being identified as a confined space by Norske Skog. One of the workers who was killed was exposed while investigating an apparent fluid leak in the tank, while the other who was killed and the worker who was badly injured were attempting to rescue the first after he collapsed on top of it. In a resulting criminal case, Norske Skog was accused of failing to ensure the health and safety of its workforce at the plant to a reasonably practicable extent. It pleaded guilty, and was fined AU$1,012,500 and ordered to fund the production of an anonymized educational video about the incident.{{cite news |last=Brescia |first=Paul |title=SafeWork investigating Norske Skog |work=Sprinter |date=28 May 2018 |url=https://www.sprinter.com.au/safework-investigating-norske-skog/ |access-date=30 May 2021}}{{cite court |litigants=SafeWork NSW v Norske Skog Paper Mills (Australia) Limited |court=District Court of New South Wales |reporter=NSWDC 559 |date=25 September 2020 |url=https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/174be35ee49dc41d188b23cd |access-date=30 May 2021}}{{cite AV media |author=SafeWork NSW |author-link=Safe Work Australia |title=Incident Animation – Hazardous Gas |type=Motion picture |date=29 Mar 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo2XN43lXAc | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/bo2XN43lXAc| archive-date=2021-10-30|access-date=30 May 2021}}{{cbignore}}

In October 2019, an Odessa, Texas employee of Aghorn Operating Inc. and his wife were killed due to a water pump failure. Produced water with a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide was released by the pump. The worker died while responding to an automated phone call he had received alerting him to a mechanical failure in the pump, while his wife died after driving to the facility to check on him.{{cite news |author= |title=Feds Probe Fatal 2019 Hydrogen Sulfide Release in Texas |work=Industrial Fire World |date=27 July 2020 |url=https://www.industrialfireworld.com/566266/feds-probe-fatal-2019-hydrogen-sulfide-release-in-texas |access-date=29 May 2021 }} A CSB investigation cited lax safety practices at the facility, such as an informal lockout-tagout procedure and a nonfunctioning hydrogen sulfide alert system.{{cite web |url=https://www.csb.gov/aghorn-operating-waterflood-station-hydrogen-sulfide-release-/ |title=Aghorn Operating Waterflood Station Hydrogen Sulfide Release |publisher=U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazardous Investigation Board |author= |date=21 May 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021}}

The gas, produced by mixing certain household ingredients, was used in a suicide wave in 2008 in Japan.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2009/03/japanese-deterg/|title=Dangerous Japanese 'Detergent Suicide' Technique Creeps Into U.S|date=March 13, 2009|magazine=Wired}} The wave prompted staff at Tokyo's suicide prevention center to set up a special hotline during "Golden Week", as they received an increase in calls from people wanting to kill themselves during the annual May holiday.{{cite news |last1=Namiki |first1=Noriko |title=Terrible Twist in Japan Suicide Spates |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4908320 |work=ABC News |date=23 May 2008 }}

As of 2010, this phenomenon has occurred in a number of US cities, prompting warnings to those arriving at the site of the suicide.http://info.publicintelligence.net/LARTTAChydrogensulfide.pdf{{full citation needed|date=September 2020}}http://info.publicintelligence.net/MAchemicalsuicide.pdf{{full citation needed|date=September 2020}}http://info.publicintelligence.net/illinoisH2Ssuicide.pdf{{full citation needed|date=September 2020}}http://info.publicintelligence.net/NYhydrogensulfide.pdf{{full citation needed|date=September 2020}}http://info.publicintelligence.net/KCTEWhydrogensulfide.pdf{{full citation needed|date=September 2020}}

In 2020, {{chem2|H2S}} ingestion was used as a suicide method by Japanese pro wrestler Hana Kimura.{{cite news |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/hana-kimura-cause-of-death-suicide-hydrogen-sulfide-suicide-wwe-stardom/ |title=Hana Kimura Cause Of Death Revealed |work=ComicBook.com |first=Connor |last=Casey |date=26 May 2020 |quote=More details about her death have since come to light, as Dave Meltzer provided details about what happened on the night of her death during a recent Wrestling Observer Radio. According to Meltzer, Kimura died after inhalation of hydrogen sulfide. He explained that concerns about her health first popped up when she posted a tweet early Saturday morning indicating that she was going to cause self-harm.}}

In 2024, Lucy-Bleu Knight, stepdaughter of famed musician Slash, also used {{chem2|H2S}} ingestion to commit suicide.{{cite news |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2492245/slashs-stepdaughters-cause-of-death-explained-by-medical-examiner |title=Slash's stepdaughter's cause of death explained by medical examiner|work=tribune.com.pk |date=30 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-30}}

{{Anchor|Microbial|Sulfur cycle}}

{{main|Sulfur cycle}}

File:Teichschlamm1.jpg on the bottom; its black colour is due to the presence of metal sulfides, the result of reactions with hydrogen sulfide produced by bacteria]]

Hydrogen sulfide is a central participant in the sulfur cycle, the biogeochemical cycle of sulfur on Earth.{{cite book |doi=10.1007/978-94-017-9269-1_10 |chapter=Hydrogen Sulfide: A Toxic Gas Produced by Dissimilatory Sulfate and Sulfur Reduction and Consumed by Microbial Oxidation |title=The Metal-Driven Biogeochemistry of Gaseous Compounds in the Environment |series=Metal Ions in Life Sciences |year=2014 |last1=Barton |first1=Larry L. |last2=Fardeau |first2=Marie-Laure |last3=Fauque |first3=Guy D. |volume=14 |pages=237–277 |pmid=25416397 |isbn=978-94-017-9268-4 }}

In the absence of oxygen, sulfur-reducing and sulfate-reducing bacteria derive energy from oxidizing hydrogen or organic molecules by reducing elemental sulfur or sulfate to hydrogen sulfide. Other bacteria liberate hydrogen sulfide from sulfur-containing amino acids; this gives rise to the odor of rotten eggs and contributes to the odor of flatulence.

As organic matter decays under low-oxygen (or hypoxic) conditions (such as in swamps, eutrophic lakes or dead zones of oceans), sulfate-reducing bacteria will use the sulfates present in the water to oxidize the organic matter, producing hydrogen sulfide as waste. Some of the hydrogen sulfide will react with metal ions in the water to produce metal sulfides, which are not water-soluble. These metal sulfides, such as ferrous sulfide FeS, are often black or brown, leading to the dark color of sludge.

Several groups of bacteria can use hydrogen sulfide as fuel, oxidizing it to elemental sulfur or to sulfate by using dissolved oxygen, metal oxides (e.g., iron oxyhydroxides and manganese oxides), or nitrate as electron acceptors.{{cite book|last1=Jørgensen |first1=B. B. |first2=D. C. |last2=Nelson |date=2004 |chapter=Sulfide oxidation in marine sediments: Geochemistry meets microbiology |pages=36–81 |editor1-first=J. P. |editor1-last=Amend |editor2-first=K. J. |editor2-last=Edwards |editor3-first=T. W. |editor3-last=Lyons |title=Sulfur Biogeochemistry – Past and Present |publisher=Geological Society of America}}

The purple sulfur bacteria and the green sulfur bacteria use hydrogen sulfide as an electron donor in photosynthesis, thereby producing elemental sulfur. This mode of photosynthesis is older than the mode of cyanobacteria, algae, and plants, which uses water as electron donor and liberates oxygen.

The biochemistry of hydrogen sulfide is a key part of the chemistry of the iron-sulfur world. In this model of the origin of life on Earth, geologically produced hydrogen sulfide is postulated as an electron donor driving the reduction of carbon dioxide.{{cite journal |last1=Wächtershäuser |first1=G |title=Before enzymes and templates: theory of surface metabolism. |journal=Microbiological Reviews |date=December 1988 |volume=52 |issue=4 |pages=452–484 |doi=10.1128/MMBR.52.4.452-484.1988 |pmid=3070320 |pmc=373159 }}

Hydrogen sulfide is lethal to most animals, but a few highly specialized species (extremophiles) do thrive in habitats that are rich in this compound.{{cite journal |last1=Tobler |first1=M |last2=Riesch |first2=R. |last3=García de León |first3=F. J. |last4=Schlupp |first4=I. |last5=Plath |first5=M. |date=2008 |title=Two endemic and endangered fishes, Poecilia sulphuraria (Álvarez, 1948) and Gambusia eurystoma Miller, 1975 (Poeciliidae, Teleostei) as only survivors in a small sulphidic habitat |journal=Journal of Fish Biology |volume=72 |issue=3 |pages=523–533 |doi=10.1111/j.1095-8649.2007.01716.x |bibcode=2008JFBio..72..523T |s2cid=27303725 }}

In the deep sea, hydrothermal vents and cold seeps with high levels of hydrogen sulfide are home to a number of extremely specialized lifeforms, ranging from bacteria to fish.{{which|date=June 2015}}{{cite journal|last1=Bernardino|first1=Angelo F. |last2=Levin|first2=Lisa A. |last3=Thurber|first3=Andrew R. |last4=Smith|first4=Craig R. |date=2012 |title=Comparative Composition, Diversity and Trophic Ecology of Sediment Macrofauna at Vents, Seeps and Organic Falls. |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=7|issue=4|page=e33515|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0033515 |pmid=22496753 |pmc=3319539|bibcode=2012PLoSO...733515B|doi-access=free }} Because of the absence of sunlight at these depths, these ecosystems rely on chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis.{{cite web|work=Marine Society of Australia|url=http://www.mesa.edu.au/deep_sea/hydrothermal_vents.asp|title=Hydrothermal Vents|access-date=28 December 2014}}

Freshwater springs rich in hydrogen sulfide are mainly home to invertebrates, but also include a small number of fish: Cyprinodon bobmilleri (a pupfish from Mexico), Limia sulphurophila (a poeciliid from the Dominican Republic), Gambusia eurystoma (a poeciliid from Mexico), and a few Poecilia (poeciliids from Mexico).{{cite journal|last1=Palacios|first1=Maura |last2=Arias-Rodríguez|first2=Lenín |last3=Plath|first3=Martin |last4=Eifert|first4=Constanze |last5=Lerp|first5=Hannes |last6=Lamboj|first6=Anton |last7=Voelker |first7=Gary|last8=Tobler|first8=Michael |date=2013 |title=The Rediscovery of a Long Described Species Reveals Additional Complexity in Speciation Patterns of Poeciliid Fishes in Sulfide Springs.|journal=PLOS ONE |volume=8|issue=8 |page=e71069|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0071069 |pmid=23976979 |pmc=3745397|bibcode=2013PLoSO...871069P|doi-access=free }} Invertebrates and microorganisms in some cave systems, such as Movile Cave, are adapted to high levels of hydrogen sulfide.{{cite journal |last1=Kumaresan |first1=Deepak |last2=Wischer |first2=Daniela |last3=Stephenson |first3=Jason |last4=Hillebrand-Voiculescu |first4=Alexandra |last5=Murrell |first5=J. Colin |title=Microbiology of Movile Cave—A Chemolithoautotrophic Ecosystem |journal=Geomicrobiology Journal |date=16 March 2014 |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=186–193 |doi=10.1080/01490451.2013.839764 |bibcode=2014GmbJ...31..186K |s2cid=84472119 }}

Hydrogen sulfide has often been detected in the interstellar medium.{{cite journal |last1=Despois |first1=D. |title=Radio Line Observations Of Molecular And Isotopic Species In Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) |journal=Earth, Moon, and Planets |date=1997 |volume=79 |issue=1/3 |pages=103–124 |doi=10.1023/A:1006229131864 |bibcode=1997EM&P...79..103D |s2cid=118540103 }} It also occurs in the clouds of planets in our solar system.{{cite journal |last1=Irwin |first1=Patrick G. J. |last2=Toledo |first2=Daniel |last3=Garland |first3=Ryan |last4=Teanby |first4=Nicholas A. |last5=Fletcher |first5=Leigh N. |last6=Orton |first6=Glenn A. |last7=Bézard |first7=Bruno |title=Detection of hydrogen sulfide above the clouds in Uranus's atmosphere |journal=Nature Astronomy |date=May 2018 |volume=2 |issue=5 |pages=420–427 |doi=10.1038/s41550-018-0432-1 |bibcode=2018NatAs...2..420I |hdl=2381/42547 |s2cid=102775371 |url=https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/detection-of-hydrogen-sulfide-above-the-clouds-in-uranuss-atmosphere(099d2fdd-8d3d-4e78-b009-bebffdece302).html |hdl-access=free }}{{Cite book |title=Fundamental Planetary Sciences : physics, chemistry, and habitability |last1=Lissauer|first1=Jack J. |last2=de Pater|first2=Imke |year=2019 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |pages=149–152|isbn=9781108411981 |location=New York, NY, USA }}{{page needed|date=September 2020}}

{{main|Anoxic event}}

File:Hydrogen Sulfide Emissions off of Africa.jpg

Hydrogen sulfide has been implicated in several mass extinctions that have occurred in the Earth's past. In particular, a buildup of hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere may have caused, or at least contributed to, the Permian-Triassic extinction event 252 million years ago.{{cite journal |last1=Lamarque |first1=J.-F. |last2=Kiehl |first2=J. T. |last3=Orlando |first3=J. J. |date=16 January 2007 |title=Role of hydrogen sulfide in a Permian-Triassic boundary ozone collapse |journal=Geophysical Research Letters |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=1–4 |doi=10.1029/2006GL028384 |bibcode=2007GeoRL..34.2801L |s2cid=55812439 |doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |last1=Kump |first1=Lee |last2=Pavlov |first2=Alexander |first3=Michael A. |last3=Arthur |title=Massive release of hydrogen sulfide to the surface ocean and atmosphere during intervals of oceanic anoxia |journal=Geology |date=1 May 2005 |volume=33 |issue=5 |pages=397–400 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/253144294 |doi=10.1130/G21295.1 |bibcode=2005Geo....33..397K |access-date=2 April 2023}}

Organic residues from these extinction boundaries indicate that the oceans were anoxic (oxygen-depleted) and had species of shallow plankton that metabolized {{chem2|H2S}}. The formation of {{chem2|H2S}} may have been initiated by massive volcanic eruptions, which emitted carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, which warmed the oceans, lowering their capacity to absorb oxygen that would otherwise oxidize {{chem2|H2S}}. The increased levels of hydrogen sulfide could have killed oxygen-generating plants as well as depleted the ozone layer, causing further stress. Small {{chem2|H2S}} blooms have been detected in modern times in the Dead Sea and in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Namibia.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/impact-from-the-deep/|title=Impact from the Deep|magazine=Scientific American | date = October 2006 }}

• {{Annotated link|Hydrogen chalcogenide}}
• Hydrogen sulfide chemosynthesis
• Marsh gas
• {{Annotated link|Sewer gas}}
• {{Annotated link|Targeted temperature management|aka=induced hypothermia}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book|title=Hydrogen Sulfide|author=Committee on Medical and Biological Effects of Environmental Pollutants|publisher=University Park Press|date=1979|location=Baltimore|isbn=978-0-8391-0127-7}}
• {{cite thesis|degree=MS|last=Siefers|first=Andrea|title=A novel and cost-effective hydrogen sulfide removal technology using tire derived rubber particles|publisher=Iowa State University|year=2010|url=http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/11281/|access-date=8 February 2013}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0165.htm International Chemical Safety Card 0165]
• [http://www.inchem.org/documents/cicads/cicads/cicad53.htm Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 53]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060309114102/http://www.npi.gov.au/database/substance-info/profiles/49.html National Pollutant Inventory - Hydrogen sulfide fact sheet]
• [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0337.html NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards]
• [https://www.nace.org/ NACE (National Association of Corrosion Epal)]

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