Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide may occur in intensively managed shrimp ponds where intense feeding leads to heavy accumulation of organic detritus, anoxic bottom sediments and subsequent formation of H2S. Only under extreme anaerobic conditions do certain bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide as a by-product of anaerobic metabolism.

Hydrogen sulfide breaks down in water (into H2S, HS and S?, but only H2S is toxic. The breakdown of hydrogen sulfide is strongly influenced by pH and to a lesser extent temperature
and salinity.

Hydrogen sulfide is extremely toxic and exposure leads rapidly to death. Shrimp are apparently
susceptible to toxic Ievels of H2S in the 10 to 200 ppb range. Several authors indicate that sublethal exposure can negatively effect shrimp growth, but supporting data is unavailable and the effect seems unlikely.

The rotten egg odor of hydrogen sulfide, when it is at a concentration of2 to 5 ppb, can be detected by the human nose (Boyd and Fast 1992). Hydrogen sulfide can be toxic to people if prolonged exposure occurs.

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