Sulfur and oxygen fluxes were quantified in the seasonally varying anoxic marine sedimentary system of Cape Lookout Bight, N.C., U.S.A. Over the three year study period, 1981-1983, the mean annual sulfate reduction rate was determined to be 18.2 ?? 1.6 moles ?? m-2 ?? y-1. This value, added to the estimate of the detrital sulfur input of 1.2 ?? 4.4 gave a total sulfur input of 19.4 ?? 4.7 moles ?? m-2 ?? y-1. The sulfide flux to the sediment-water interface, measured in anaerobic benthic chambers was 4.6 ?? 0.5 moles ?? m-2 ?? y-1, and represented 37% of the annual oxygen uptake rate of 25.2 ?? 2.8 moles ?? m-2 ?? y-1. The sulfide burial rate, determined to be 15.5 ?? 3.1 moles ?? m-2 ?? y-1, was within 5% of the value predicted by summing the fluxes at the sediment-water interface. The C S weight ratio of sediment below the depth of diagenetic reaction was determined to be 2.75. The sulfide retention rate in these rapidly accumulating sediments (10 cm/yr) was 77 ?? 19%. Comparison of this result with previous studies shows that rapid sediment accumulation and the lack of bioturbation control this unusually high degree of sulfide retention. ?? 1987.