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Zhao C, Guo Q, Zhang T, Han X, Usman D. Procedures from samples to sulfur isotopic data: A review. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2024; 38:e9733. [PMID: 38591181 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Sulfur isotopes have been widely used to solve some key scientific questions, especially in the last two decades with advanced instruments and analytical schemes. Different sulfur speciation and multiple isotopes analyzed in laboratories worldwide and in situ microanalysis have also been reported in many articles. However, methods of sampling to measurements are multifarious, and occasionally some inaccuracies are present in published papers. Vague methods may mislead newcomers to the field, puzzle readers, or lead to incorrect data-based correlations. METHODS We have reviewed multiple methods on sulfur isotopic analyses from the perspectives of sampling, laboratory work, and instrumental analysis in order to help reduce operational inhomogeneity and ensure the fidelity of sulfur isotopic data. We do not deem our proposed solutions as the ultimate standard methods but as a lead-in to the overall introduction and summary of the current methods used. RESULTS It has been shown that external contamination and transformation of different sulfur species should be avoided during the sampling, pretreatment, storage, and chemical treatment processes. Conversion rates and sulfur isotopic fractionations during sulfur extraction, purification, and conversion processes must be verified by researchers using standard or known samples. The unification of absence of isotopic fractionation is needed during all steps, and long-term monitoring of standard samples is recommended. CONCLUSION This review compiles more details on different methods in sampling, laboratory operation, and measurement of sulfur isotopes, which is beneficial for researchers' better practice in laboratories. Microanalyses and molecular studies are the frontier techniques that compare the bulk sample with the elemental analysis/continuous flow-gas source stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry method, but the latter is widely used. The development of sulfur isotopic measurements will lead to the innovation in scientific issues with sulfur proxies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changqiu Zhao
- Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingjun Guo
- Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tonggang Zhang
- College of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaokun Han
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dawuda Usman
- Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Aroskay A, Martin E, Bekki S, Le Pennec JL, Savarino J, Temel A, Manrique N, Aguilar R, Rivera M, Guillou H, Balcone-Boissard H, Phelip O, Szopa S. Geological evidence of extensive N-fixation by volcanic lightning during very large explosive eruptions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2309131121. [PMID: 38315852 PMCID: PMC10873604 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309131121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Most of the nitrogen (N) accessible for life is trapped in dinitrogen (N2), the most stable atmospheric molecule. In order to be metabolized by living organisms, N2 has to be converted into biologically assimilable forms, so-called fixed N. Nowadays, nearly all the N-fixation is achieved through biological and anthropogenic processes. However, in early prebiotic environments of the Earth, N-fixation must have occurred via natural abiotic processes. One of the most invoked processes is electrical discharges, including from thunderstorms and lightning associated with volcanic eruptions. Despite the frequent occurrence of volcanic lightning during explosive eruptions and convincing laboratory experimentation, no evidence of substantial N-fixation has been found in any geological archive. Here, we report on the discovery of a significant amount of nitrate in volcanic deposits from Neogene caldera-forming eruptions, which are well correlated with the concentrations of species directly emitted by volcanoes (sulfur, chlorine). The multi-isotopic composition (δ18O, Δ17O) of the nitrates reveals that they originate from the atmospheric oxidation of nitrogen oxides formed by volcanic lightning. According to these first geological volcanic nitrate archive, we estimate that, on average, about 60 Tg of N can be fixed during a large explosive event. Our findings hint at a unique role potentially played by subaerial explosive eruptions in supplying essential ingredients for the emergence of life on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeline Aroskay
- Institut des Sciences de la Terre de Paris (ISTeP - UMR7193), Sorbonne Université, Paris75005, France
| | - Erwan Martin
- Institut des Sciences de la Terre de Paris (ISTeP - UMR7193), Sorbonne Université, Paris75005, France
| | - Slimane Bekki
- Laboratoire Atmosphère, Obsevation spaticale (LATMOS - UMR 8190), Sorbonne Uiversité, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Paris75005, France
| | - Jean-Luc Le Pennec
- Geo-Ocean, University of Brest, CNRS, Ifremer, UMR6538, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Plouzané29280, France
| | - Joël Savarino
- Institut des Géiosciences et de l’Environnement (IGE - UMR 5001), Université de Grenoble, Saint Martin d’Hères38400, France
| | - Abidin Temel
- Department of Geological Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Beytepe06800, Turkey
| | - Nelida Manrique
- Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico, Arequipa, Yanahuara04013, Peru
| | - Rigoberto Aguilar
- Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico, Arequipa, Yanahuara04013, Peru
| | - Marco Rivera
- Instituto Geofísico del Perú Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur, Arequipa, Sachaca04013, Peru
| | - Hervé Guillou
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE - UMR8212), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif sur Yvette91491, France
| | - Hélène Balcone-Boissard
- Institut des Sciences de la Terre de Paris (ISTeP - UMR7193), Sorbonne Université, Paris75005, France
| | - Océane Phelip
- Institut des Sciences de la Terre de Paris (ISTeP - UMR7193), Sorbonne Université, Paris75005, France
| | - Sophie Szopa
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE - UMR8212), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif sur Yvette91491, France
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Kagawa M, Katsuta N, Naito S, Masuki Y, Yoshimizu C, Chiba H, Tayasu I. Sample pretreatment effects on isotopic compositions of oxygen and sulfur in BaSO 4 derived from atmospheric sulfate. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2023; 37:e9659. [PMID: 37953543 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Preparation of BaSO4 from samples of atmospheric rain, snow, and aerosols has been used for δ18 O and δ34 S analyses. In the present study, we investigated the effect of various sample pretreatments on δ18 O and δ34 S values determined from a Na2 SO4 reagent solution and samples of atmospheric precipitation to improve assay time and cost efficiency. METHODS BaSO4 was prepared from a Na2 SO4 solution by (a) evaporative concentration, (b) evaporation to dryness, (c) evaporation to dryness after adding HCl, and (d) evaporation to concentration after adding HCl, followed by cooling and then precipitation using a BaCl2 solution. To analyze the atmospheric precipitation samples for δ18 O, BaSO4 prepared from the samples was treated with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and SO4 2- and separated chromatographically. The values of δ18 O and δ34 S were measured using a continuous-flow elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer. RESULTS The δ34 S values in BaSO4 precipitated from Na2 SO4 solution determined by methods (a)-(c) were consistent within precisions of ±0.5‰. The δ18 O values of methods (a) and (b) were consistent within ±0.2‰, whereas the δ18 O values of methods (c) and (d) increased with increasing HCl concentrations. Similar results were obtained from samples of atmospheric precipitations. The δ18 O values from DTPA-treated BaSO4 were consistent with those obtained by chromatographic separation within ±0.5‰. CONCLUSIONS We found no significant differences in the effects of various pretreatments (acidification, heating, concentration, and drying) on δ18 O and δ34 S values in sulfate from samples of atmospheric precipitation and aerosols extracted as BaSO4 if HCl was not added to the sample before heating and BaSO4 was treated with DTPA for the δ18 O analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sayuri Naito
- Faculty of Education, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yuma Masuki
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | | | - Hitoshi Chiba
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Ichiro Tayasu
- Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, Japan
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Klipsch S, Herwartz D, Staubwasser M. Optimizing sulfate pyrolysis triple oxygen isotope analysis for samples from desert environments. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2021; 35:e9102. [PMID: 33864312 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The triple oxygen isotope composition of sulfate may reveal the formation pathway and depositional sources and may indicate slow biologic cycling in the environment. Pyrolysis mass spectrometry is better suited for large sample workloads during environmental profiling but sufficient precision and a thorough verification of accuracy are required for comparison with higher precision laser fluorination data. METHODS Quantitative sulfate extraction from soil samples at neutral pH, purification, conversation into Ag-sulfate, and pyrolysis mass spectrometry were modified for high sample throughput. Samples were analyzed after pyrolysis in quartz cups and gold capsules in a modified EuroVector model 3000 elemental analyzer. Sample O2 was measured in continuous He-flow after purification by cryo-trapping and chromatography on a Thermo Finnigan MAT253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer. A protocol for routine quality control and data normalization ensures long-term accuracy of the pyrolysis method. RESULTS The 1σ SD external reproducibility is 0.12‰ for Δ17 OSO4 values on 30 μmol samples. Careful normalization for a daily analytical session accounts for changing pyrolysis conditions over the course of multiple sessions. The precision and accuracy obtained with quartz cups are comparable with those obtained with gold capsules. Pyrolysis and fluorination data for in-house standards from four laboratories and from an Atacama Desert gypsum-soil profile are identical and demonstrate the accuracy of our simplified method. CONCLUSIONS Pyrolysis of sulfate in quartz cups and a modified simple elemental analyzer setup allows for accurate, precise, fast, cost-efficient, and non-hazardous mass spectrometric analysis. Exchangeability of data from pyrolysis and laser fluorination methods was demonstrated by repeat analysis of standards and natural samples despite high contents of interfering, easily soluble nitrates and chlorides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swea Klipsch
- Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Daniel Herwartz
- Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Staubwasser
- Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Aroskay A, Martin E, Bekki S, Montana G, Randazzo L, Cartigny P, Chabas A, Verney-Carron A. Multi O- and S-isotopes as tracers of black crusts formation under volcanic and non-volcanic atmospheric conditions in Sicily (Italy). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 750:142283. [PMID: 33182218 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The deterioration of monument or building stone materials is mostly due to the growth of black crusts that cause blackening and disaggregation of the exposed surface. This study reports on new oxygen (δ17O, δ18O and Δ17O) and sulphur (δ33S, δ34S, δ36S, Δ33S and Δ36S) isotopic analyses of black crust sulphates formed on building stones in Sicily (Southern Italy). The measurements are used to identify the possible influence of volcanic emissions on black crust formation. Black crusts were mostly sampled on carbonate stone substrate in different locations subject to various sulphur emission sources (marine, anthropogenic and volcanic). Unlike atmospheric sulphate aerosols that mostly exhibit Δ33S > 0‰, here most of the analysed black crust sulphates show negative Δ33S. This confirms that black crust sulphates do not result from deposition of sulphate aerosols or of rainwater but mostly from the oxidation of dry deposited SO2 onto the stone substrate. The δ34S and δ18O values indicate that most of black crust sulphate originates from anthropogenic activities. Δ17O values are found to be related to the sampling location. The largest 17O-anomalies (up to ~4‰) are measured in black crust from areas highly influenced by volcanic emissions, which demonstrates the strong involvement of ozone in the formation of black crusts in volcanically influenced environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Aroskay
- Institut des Sciences de la Terre de Paris (ISTeP), Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
| | - E Martin
- Institut des Sciences de la Terre de Paris (ISTeP), Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - S Bekki
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS), Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - G Montana
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare (DiSTeM), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - L Randazzo
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), Università della Calabria, Italy
| | - P Cartigny
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - A Chabas
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), Université Paris-Est-Créteil, Université de Paris, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL), Créteil, France
| | - A Verney-Carron
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), Université Paris-Est-Créteil, Université de Paris, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL), Créteil, France
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Yang LW, Liu C, Yang T. An evaluation on the extraction capability of anion exchange membranes for high-precision sulfur isotope measurement by multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. RSC Adv 2019; 9:31224-31232. [PMID: 35527964 PMCID: PMC9072498 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra04121d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are adept at extracting sulfate for sulfur isotope analyses by multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) from natural samples typically with low sulfate concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Willow Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research
- School of Earth Sciences and Engineering
- Nanjing University
- Nanjing 210093
- P. R. China
| | - Chenhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research
- School of Earth Sciences and Engineering
- Nanjing University
- Nanjing 210093
- P. R. China
| | - Tao Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research
- School of Earth Sciences and Engineering
- Nanjing University
- Nanjing 210093
- P. R. China
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Volcanic Plume Impact on the Atmosphere and Climate: O- and S-Isotope Insight into Sulfate Aerosol Formation. GEOSCIENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences8060198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Geng L, Savarino J, Savarino CA, Caillon N, Cartigny P, Hattori S, Ishino S, Yoshida N. A simple and reliable method reducing sulfate to sulfide for multiple sulfur isotope analysis. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2018; 32:333-341. [PMID: 29271042 PMCID: PMC5888127 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Precise analysis of four sulfur isotopes of sulfate in geological and environmental samples provides the means to extract unique information in wide geological contexts. Reduction of sulfate to sulfide is the first step to access such information. The conventional reduction method suffers from a cumbersome distillation system, long reaction time and large volume of the reducing solution. We present a new and simple method enabling the process of multiple samples at one time with a much reduced volume of reducing solution. METHODS One mL of reducing solution made of HI and NaH2 PO2 was added to a septum glass tube with dry sulfate. The tube was heated at 124°C and the produced H2 S was purged with inert gas (He or N2 ) through gas-washing tubes and then collected by NaOH solution. The collected H2 S was converted into Ag2 S by adding AgNO3 solution and the co-precipitated Ag2 O was removed by adding a few drops of concentrated HNO3 . RESULTS Within 2-3 h, a 100% yield was observed for samples with 0.2-2.5 μmol Na2 SO4 . The reduction rate was much slower for BaSO4 and a complete reduction was not observed. International sulfur reference materials, NBS-127, SO-5 and SO-6, were processed with this method, and the measured against accepted δ34 S values yielded a linear regression line which had a slope of 0.99 ± 0.01 and a R2 value of 0.998. CONCLUSIONS The new methodology is easy to handle and allows us to process multiple samples at a time. It has also demonstrated good reproducibility in terms of H2 S yield and for further isotope analysis. It is thus a good alternative to the conventional manual method, especially when processing samples with limited amount of sulfate available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Geng
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IRDInstitut des Géosciences de l'EnvironnementIGE38000GrenobleFrance
| | - Joel Savarino
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IRDInstitut des Géosciences de l'EnvironnementIGE38000GrenobleFrance
| | - Clara A. Savarino
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IRDInstitut des Géosciences de l'EnvironnementIGE38000GrenobleFrance
- School of ChemistryCardiff UniversityCardiffCF10 3ATUK
| | - Nicolas Caillon
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IRDInstitut des Géosciences de l'EnvironnementIGE38000GrenobleFrance
| | - Pierre Cartigny
- Laboratoire de Géochimie des Isotopes StablesInstitut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Univ. Paris Diderot, UMR 7154 CNRS75005ParisFrance
| | - Shohei Hattori
- School of Materials and Chemical TechnologyTokyo Institute of Technology226‐8502YokohamaJapan
| | - Sakiko Ishino
- School of Materials and Chemical TechnologyTokyo Institute of Technology226‐8502YokohamaJapan
| | - Naohiro Yoshida
- School of Materials and Chemical TechnologyTokyo Institute of Technology226‐8502YokohamaJapan
- Earth‐Life Science InstituteTokyo Institute of Technology152‐8551TokyoJapan
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