Monday, February 15, 2021

Why Does My Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs? Hydrogen Sulfide and Sulfur Bacteria in Well Water

According to a current classification, pathophysiological states with H2S overproduction and pathophysiological states with H2S deficit (e.g. vascular disease) can be identified. Although the understanding of H2S biology has significantly advanced over the last decade, many questions remain, for instance related to the quantification of endogenous H2S levels. At high temperatures or in the presence of catalysts, sulfur dioxide reacts with hydrogen sulfide to form elemental sulfur and water. This reaction is exploited in the Claus process, an important industrial method to dispose of hydrogen sulfide. It also occurs in volcanic gases, natural gas deposits, and sometimes in well-drawn water. Zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas because it’s more reactive than hydrogen, and thus displaces the latter from an acid.

Put a chunk of iron sulfide into some vinegar, and you get a room smelling badly of rotten eggs. This experiment was also described in some "chemistry for kids" boxes from the 80's. Once again, I would advise against doing it, and I’m giving the information below as a “MacGyver” stile contraption. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME unless you have laboratory experience and know how to handle dangerous gases. DO NOT try this without wearing proper safety equipment such as gas mask equiped with acid gas filters. DO NOT try this indoors unless you have an efficient fume hood properly installed.

Removal from fuel gases

I cannot be held responsible for any accidents resultant from the use of the information below. All facts below can easily be found by a comprehensive search online. There are two simple improvements you can make to improve the efficiency of hydrogen gas production.

make hydrogen sulfide at home

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. 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.

What does zinc chloride and hydrogen sulfide make?

While sulfur bacteria are not harmful, hydrogen sulfide gas in the air can be harmful at high levels. It is important to remove the gas from the water, or vent the gas to the atmosphere. Venting prevents the gas from collecting in low-lying spaces or enclosed spaces . Only well professionals should enter a well pit or other enclosed space where hydrogen sulfide gas may be present. This is having an impact on the size of the hydrogen sulfide market.

Hydrogen sulfide might be released to water in liquid waste of an industrial facility or as the result of a natural event. Hydrogen sulfide concentrations in surface water are usually very low because it readily evaporates from water. Groundwater concentrations of hydrogen sulfide are generally less than 1 ppm; however, measured sulfur concentrations in surface and waste waters have ranged from slightly less than 1 to 5 ppm. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the nation.

Hydrogen Gas Safety

Families can be exposed to more hydrogen sulfide than the general population if they live near natural or industrial sources of hydrogen sulfide, such as hot springs, manure holding tanks, or pulp and paper mills. However, these exposure levels are generally not high enough to make you sick. As organic matter decays under low-oxygen conditions , 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. Water heaters can aid the conversion of sulfate in water to hydrogen sulfide gas.

make hydrogen sulfide at home

@StianYttervik Note that you can't count on the smell of the gas, since at high concentrations, the gas paralyzes your olfactory receptors, so you won't smell anything when it starts to become dangerous. Yes, I also don't expect to reach lethal amounts, I've done the experiment many times, but anyway, I want to have some quantitative estimation. Sulfide ions not existing by themselves in water would have an effect on reaction energies and other chemical properties, it seems, which is likely why they want to have this cleared up. Hydrogen sulfide may oxidize to the sulfate of thiosulfate in certain tissues.

It could be hydrogen sulfide if you notice a strange odor in your water. This gas can dissolve in water, which can be dangerous at high levels. Here’s what you need to know about testing for and dealing with hydrogen sulfide in your water supply. Provides information on the safety and health effects of hydrogen sulfide.

make hydrogen sulfide at home

Many transition metals such as iron, chromium, nickel, tin, zinc, and lead are more reactive than hydrogen. However, metals like gold, copper, and platinum are less reactive than hydrogen. First, it’s essential to test your water to see if the levels of hydrogen sulfide are dangerous.

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Another way to test for hydrogen sulfide is to use test strips specifically designed for this purpose. If the strip changes color, it indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide. Another option is to send your water sample to a certified laboratory for testing. This is generally the most accurate option but can also be the most expensive.

One trend that Vantage Market Research expects to see in the hydrogen sulfide industry is that increased exploration and production activities have led to increased demand from the oil and gas sector. Asia Pacific dominates the hydrogen sulfide market, and this trend of dominance will continue throughout the projection period because the agriculture industry has a high demand for fertilizers. The largest market growth drivers for hydrogen sulfide are China and India. The federal government develops regulations and recommendations to protect public health. Federal agencies that develop regulations for toxic substances include the Environmental Protection Agency , the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , and the Food and Drug Administration . Recommendations provide valuable guidelines to protect public health but are not enforceable by law.

Hydrogen sulfide can also be synthesized by non-enzymatic pathway, which is derived from proteins such as ferredoxins and Rieske proteins. There has been continuing interest in exploiting such knowledge of hydrogen sulfide's role in signaling through development of mechanistically related therapeutic agents. At pressures above 90 GPa , hydrogen sulfide becomes a metallic conductor of electricity.

make hydrogen sulfide at home

6 H2O + Al2S3 → 3 H2S + 2 Al3This 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 treating hydrogen with molten elemental sulfur at about 450 °C. How much iron sulfide would be enough to create a dangerous amount of hydrogen sulfide?

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. Activated carbon filters are effective for hydrogen sulfide levels less than 1 milligram per liter (mg/L). Since the carbon filter can remove substances in addition to hydrogen sulfide gas, it is difficult to predict its service life.

make hydrogen sulfide at home

Mix the sulfur powder and the cut steel wool in a small pan and heat it on the flame of a stove. You will notice that a reaction will occur and the material will get red hot. The main safety consideration is making certain hydrogen gas isn't allowed to mix with oxygen in the air. Nothing bad will happen if it does, but the resulting air-hydrogen mixture is much more flammable than hydrogen on its own because it now contains oxygen, which will act as an oxidizer. If you think you may have hydrogen sulfide in your water, there are a few ways you can test for it. One way is to fill a glass with water and let it sit for a few minutes.

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