To explore the spatial distribution of total sulfur (TS) contents in plant-soil system of tidal marshes in the Shanyutan of the Min River estuary

from the land to the sea

two transects (A transect

away from the main tidal channels with no flooding as the tide ebbs; B transect

near the main tidal channels with flooding as the tide ebbs) with different flooding regimes were laid and three typical plants (Cyperusmalaccensis

Spartinaalterniflora and Cyperuscompressus ) of the marsh were studied in July 2015. Results showed that long-term flooding regimes caused same type of marsh top soil TS contents of B transect less than A transect

but also enhanced horizontal variability of 0-40 cm soil TS contents among different types marsh and vertical variability among the same ones. Although the long-term flooding regimes reduced the root TS contents and accumulation coefficient of three kinds of marsh plants in B transect

but increased above-ground organs and standing litter TS contents and accumulation coefficient

also increased the percentages of sulfur distribution in above-ground organs. Comparative studies had shown that the TS contents in soils and plants of the three typical marshes in the Min River estuary were in a high level across the country

and the values were much higher than those in the freshwater marshes of Sanjiang Plain

the salt marshes of Xianghai and the marshes in the Haihe River Basin

but slightly lower than those in mangrove swamps. The study found that flooding conditions and soil moisture were the dominant factors resulting in the differences of TS contents in soils of the same marsh located in A and B transects. Flooding conditions also altered the distribution patterns of TS content in different plants and plants could adjust their S absorption and accumulation traits to adapt to the flooding environment.