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Sulfur isotope analyses by 3×EA/IRMS: Saving helium and energy while reducing analytical time and costs
  • Jorge Spangenberg,
  • Alice Bosco-Santos
Jorge Spangenberg
Universite de Lausanne Institut de dynamique de la surface terrestre

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Alice Bosco-Santos
Universite de Lausanne Institut de dynamique de la surface terrestre
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Abstract

Rationale: Helium (He) and energy shortages have dramatically increased prices and reduced their availability of these commodities. The use of three combustion reactions per acquisition of carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios saved 50% He and energy used in elemental analysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS). This approach should be tested for sulfur isotope analyses. Mathods: A method was developed to measure sulfur isotope ratios ( d 34S values) in the SO 2 produced from three sequential combustion reactions in a single EA/IRMS acquisition. The combustion cycles involved capsules of the same or different materials. Two other developments are presented: a system for simultaneous extraction of chromium-reducible sulfur from four sediments or rock samples and the connections between the SO 2 reference gas and nitrogen cylinders for purging residual gases at the end of the EA/IRMS sequences. Results: The 3×EA/IRMS- d 34S method was validated with replicate analyses of international reference materials and laboratory standards with a wide range of mineralogical compositions and d 34S values. It was used for d 34S measurements of CRS-pyrites from Archean black shales and Swiss lake sediments. The accuracy and precision of the 3×EA/IRMS values were essentially matched those obtained by conventional EA/IRMS, with good agreement between the mean ± SD values and the recommended values and their Conclusions: Compared with the conventional EA/IRMS method. the proposed method provides accurate and precise sulfur isotope compositions of sulfate and sulfide samples while saving approximately 50% of the He, energy, SO 2 reference gas, O 2, and analysis time and cost. Notably, 3×EA/IRMS provided two d 34S values unaffected by potential memory effects.
Submitted to Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry
10 Apr 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 May 20241st Revision Received
07 May 2024Submission Checks Completed
07 May 2024Assigned to Editor
16 May 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Jun 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
21 Jun 2024Submission Checks Completed
21 Jun 2024Assigned to Editor
23 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Jun 2024Editorial Decision: Accept