Hydrogen Sulfide layers in water

[dfreeman]

Hydrogen sulfide concentration in water is a Henry's Law gas.  Therefore, the concentration dissolved in water is dependent on pressure (the higher the pressure the more hydrogen sulfide it will hold) and temperature (the higher the temperature, the less hydrogen sulfide it would hold).  Gas can get trapped in stagnent layers of water which usually occurs at boundaries (thermocline or salt layer).  The concentration builds up until the limit predicted by Henry's Law is reached.

Most hydrogen sulfide that divers run into is biologically generated and then trapped in a stagnent water layer.  Only in a few situations is a volcanic or metal sulfide source the reason for a hydrogen sulfide layer.

Hydrogen sulfide is a weak acid and will eat the things that are affected by acids.  Something like tomato juice.

I hope that this helps people to better understand hydrogen sulfide.

Doug