Because of _______, soils developed in marine marshes can become extremely acid if drained for agriculture or used as topsoil.
A)oxidation of sulfates
B)reduction of sulfates
C)oxidation of sulfides
D)reduction of elemental sulfur
E)all of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Soils developed in marine marshes contain large amounts of organic matter, including sulfides. When these soils are drained for agriculture, oxygen enters and leads to the oxidation of sulfides to sulfuric acid, causing the soil to become extremely acidic. The other options (oxidation of sulfates, reduction of sulfates, reduction of elemental sulfur) are not as relevant to the development of acid soils in marine marshes.

Because of _______, Soils Developed in Marine Marshes Can Become