Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Sulfur chemistry in aqueous solutions -- Sedimentary iron biogeochemistry -- Aqueous metal-sulfide chemistry: complexes, clusters and nanoparticles -- Metastable sedimentary iron sulfides -- Sedimentary pyrite -- Metal sequestration by sedimentary iron sulfides -- Microbial sulfate reduction in sediments -- Microbial sulfide oxidation in sediments -- Microbial ecology of sulfidic sediments -- Sedimentary sulfur isotope biogeochemistry -- Iron isotope fractionation in sedimentary sulfides -- Euxinic systems -- Sedimentary sulfides -- The geochemistry of sulfidic sedimentary rocks -- Fossil bacteria: evidence for the evolution of the sulfur biome -- The evolution of the sedimentary sulfur cycle.

"The geochemistry and chemistry of sulfur, iron and iron sulfides in sedimentary systems is reviewed. Sulfur microbiology is described and the microbial ecology of sulfidic sediments is discussed. Sulfur and iron stable isotope biochemistry is addressed against the background of recent advances in this field with respect to sedimentary and microbial systems. Environmental aspects of the present sedimentary sulfur cycle are considered with special references to the development of euxinia and global anoxic events. The biogeochemistry of ancient sulphur-rich sediments is considered and the evolution of the sedimentary sulfur system is discussed against the background of the evolution of the Earth surface environment. The evolution of the sulfur biome and its impact of the early development of life on Earth are discussed."--Cover.