Let’s talk Sulfur metabolism
Since 0.4.0 the only process responsible for utilization of sulfur was Hydrogen Sulfide Chemosynthesis which allowed players to turn hydrogen sulfide and CO2 into glucose.
6 CO2 + 12 H2S = C6H12O6 + 6 H2O + (S?)
While this process surely introduced some great mechanics, in today’s version with dynamic environments, it will need some tuning.
I suggest that sulfur should have at lease 2 different states:
• Sulfate (SO4)
• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
This way the process of hydrogen sulfide chemosynthesis will eventually, alongside with producing glucose, also transform H2S into SO4 instead of ignoring it. This reaction might look something like this:
30 CO2 + 12 H2S + 18 H2O = 5 C6H12O6 + 12 SO4
Another simple, yet effective way cells could produce SO4 is by oxidizing H2S thereby producing water or hydrogen
2 H2S + 5 O2 = 2 H2O + 2 SO4
What will happen to produced SO4?
The produced SO4 might later be used in different metabolic processes such as Dissimilatory sulfate reduction where by using hydrogen or water it will be transformed into O2 and H2S.
If we take a step forward and add other simple molecules such as methane, we can flesh it out even more with a process such as Anaerobic oxidation of methane and some non lawk processes that might lead to the production of glucose, but that’s a different story.
Why do that?
This way the whole process will not only get more realistic, but also make Chemoautotrophs gameplay more unique and balanced.