The distribution of sulfur in oceanic crust with respect to oxidative diagenesis (Table 1)

The net result appears to have been a rather pervasive remobilization of igneous sulfide to form secondary pyrite accompanied by a bulk loss of sulfur equivalent to about 50-60% of the original igneous value, assuming initial saturation.

It is suggested that during infiltration of seawater into the massive crystalline rock, igneous sulfide has experienced pervasive oxidation, under conditions of limited oxidation potential, to form a series of unstable, soluble sulfur species, primarily in the form of SO3[2-] and S2O3[2-]. Spontaneous decomposition of these intermediate compounds through disproportionation has resulted in partial reconstitution of the sulfur as secondary pyrite and the generation of SO4[2-] ion, which, due to its kinetic stability, has been lost from the basalt system and ultimately transferred to the ocean.