1
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li T, Li J, Xie L, Lin B, Jiang H, Sun R, Wang X, Liu B, Tian C, Li Q, Jia W, Zhang G, Peng P. In situ biomass burning enhanced the contribution of biogenic sources to sulfate aerosol in subtropical cities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168384. [PMID: 37956844 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Sulfurous gases released by biogenic sources play a key role in the global sulfur cycle. However, the contribution of biogenic sources to sulfate aerosol in the urban atmosphere has received little attention. Emission sources and formation process of sulfate in Guangzhou, a subtropical mega-city in China, were clarified using multiple methods, including isotope tracers and chemical markers. The δ18O of sulfate suggested that secondary sulfate was the dominant component (84 %) of sulfate aerosol, which mainly formed by transition metal ion (TMI) catalyzed oxidation (31 %) and OH radical oxidation (30 %). The factors driving secondary sulfate formation were revealed using a tree boosting model, which suggested that NH3, temperature, and oxidants were the most important factors. The δ34S of sulfate indicated that biogenic sources accounted for annual average of 26.0 % of the sulfate, which increased to 30.4 % in winter monsoon period. Rice straw burning enhanced sulfate formation by promoting the release of reduced sulfur from soil, which is rapidly converted into sulfate under a subtropical urban atmosphere with high concentration of NH3 and oxidants. This study revealed the important influence of rice straw burning on biogenic sulfur emission during the rice harvest, thereby providing insight into the sulfur cycle and regional air pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
| | - Luhua Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, PR China.
| | - Boji Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Hongxing Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
| | - Rong Sun
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Xiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Ben Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Chongguo Tian
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, PR China
| | - Qilu Li
- School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Xinxiang 453007, PR China
| | - Wanglu Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
| | - Gan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
| | - Ping'an Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Han X, Dong X, Liu CQ, Wei R, Lang Y, Strauss H, Guo Q. Multiple Sulfur Isotopic Evidence for Sulfate Formation in Haze Pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:20647-20656. [PMID: 38033251 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of sulfate formation during winter haze events in North China remains largely elusive. In this study, the multiple sulfur isotopic composition of sulfate in different grain-size aerosol fractions collected seasonally from sampling sites in rural, suburban, urban, industrial, and coastal areas of North China are used to constrain the mechanism of SO2 oxidation at different levels of air pollution. The Δ33S values of sulfate in aerosols show an obvious seasonal variation, except for those samples collected in the rural area. The positive Δ33S signatures (0‰ < Δ33S < 0.439‰) observed on clean days are mainly influenced by tropospheric SO2 oxidation and stratospheric SO2 photolysis. The negative Δ33S signatures (-0.236‰ < Δ33S < ∼0‰) observed during winter haze events (PM2.5 > 200 μg/m3) are mainly attributed to SO2 oxidation by H2O2 and transition metal ion catalysis (TMI) in the troposphere. These results reveal that both the H2O2 and TMI pathways play critical roles in sulfate formation during haze events in North China. Additionally, these new data provide evidence that the tropospheric oxidation of SO2 can produce significant negative Δ33S values in sulfate aerosols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokun Han
- Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xinyuan Dong
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Cong-Qiang Liu
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Rongfei Wei
- Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yunchao Lang
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Harald Strauss
- Institut für Geologie und Paläontologie, Universität Münster, Corrensstrasse 24, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Qingjun Guo
- Center for Environmental Remediation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rodiouchkina K, Rodushkin I, Goderis S, Vanhaecke F. A comprehensive evaluation of sulfur isotopic analysis (δ 34S and δ 33S) using multi-collector ICP-MS with characterization of reference materials of geological and biological origin. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1240:340744. [PMID: 36641153 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340744] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur isotope ratios are often used as biogeochemical tracers to gain understanding of abiotic and biological processes involved in the sulfur cycle in both modern and ancient environments. There is however a lack of matrix-matched well-characterized isotopic reference materials that are essential for controlling the accuracy and precision. This study therefore focused on expanding and complementing the currently available sulfur isotope ratio data by providing the bulk sulfur isotopic composition, as determined using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), for a comprehensive set of commercially and/or readily available biological and geological reference materials. A total 7 isotopic reference materials and 41 elemental reference materials were studied. These reference materials include standards of terrestrial and marine animal origin, terrestrial plant origin, human origin, and geological origin. Different sample preparation protocols, including digestion and subsequent chromatographic isolation of S, were evaluated and the optimum approach selected for each matrix type. For achieving enhanced robustness, the sample preparation and sulfur isotope ratio measurements were done at two different laboratories for selected reference materials, while at one of the laboratories the measurements were additionally performed using two different MC-ICP-MS instruments. Determined δ34SVCDT and δ33SVCDT values compared well between the different laboratories, as well as between the different generation MC-ICP-MS instruments, and for standards that were previously characterized, our data are similar to literature values. The δ34SVCDT ranges determined for the different categories of the reference materials - terrestrial animal origin: +2 to +9‰, marine animal origin: +15 to +20‰, human origin: +6 to +10‰, terrestrial plant origin: -20 to +7‰, and geological origin: -12 to +21‰ - fit the expected values based on previous studies of similar types of matrices well. No significant mass-independent fractionation is observed when considering the expanded uncertainties for Δ33SV-CDT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Rodiouchkina
- Ghent University, Department of Chemistry, Atomic and Mass Spectrometry (A&MS) Research Group, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281 - S12, 9000, Ghent, Belgium; Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Chemistry; Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC) Research Group, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ilia Rodushkin
- ALS Scandinavia AB, ALS Laboratory Group, Aurorum 10, S-977 75, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Steven Goderis
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Chemistry; Analytical, Environmental and Geo-Chemistry (AMGC) Research Group, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frank Vanhaecke
- Ghent University, Department of Chemistry, Atomic and Mass Spectrometry (A&MS) Research Group, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281 - S12, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yu X, Yin B, Lin M. Removal of contamination in helium for precise SF 6 -based Δ 36 S measurements. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2022; 36:e9404. [PMID: 36166321 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Quantifications of quadruple sulfur isotopic compositions (δ34 S, Δ33 S, and Δ36 S) of sulfur-bearing compounds in nature are valuable for providing new insights into the Earth's evolution such as the crust-mantle cycle, oxygenation of atmosphere and oceans, and the origin and evolution of early life. SF6 -based isotope ratio mass spectrometry is the most widely used method of quantification, but Δ36 S measurements at high precision and accuracy have always been technically difficult due to the low abundance of 36 S (~0.01%). In this paper, we identify a major source of isobaric interferences (i.e., contamination in helium carrier gas in the gas chromatography purification step) and propose a simple strategy to solve this problem. METHODS An SF6 fluorination and purification system was built. Laboratory SF6 reference gas and international Ag2 S standard (IAEA-S1) were used as reference materials to test our method. Contamination from helium carrier gas (99.999%) was purified by a simple two-step cryogenic method to allow for accurate and precise measurements of Δ36 S using the SF6 -based isotope ratio mass spectrometry method. RESULTS Without proper purification of helium carrier gas, large errors in Δ36 S measurements were found. Measured Δ36 S values of SF6 with trace contamination from helium were >10‰ higher than expected values. Using a newly developed purification strategy, the difference in Δ36 S values of SF6 before and after passing through the gas chromatography is less than instrumental errors (<0.2‰). Our improved method yielded an overall Δ36 S precision for IAEA-S1 of 0.12‰ (n = 6). This precision is comparable to that found by other laboratories around the world. CONCLUSION Our simple two-step cryogenic method significantly improved the accuracy and precision of Δ36 S measurements and is therefore recommended for future determination of quadruple sulfur isotopic compositions in natural samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry and CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Binyan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry and CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry and CAS Center for Excellence in Deep Earth Science, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yuan S, Chen J, Hintelmann H, Cai H, Yuan W, He S, Zhang K, Zhang Y, Liu Y. Event-Based Atmospheric Precipitation Uncovers Significant Even and Odd Hg Isotope Anomalies Associated with the Circumpolar Vortex. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:12713-12722. [PMID: 35978561 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The determination of the mass-independent fractionation of even Hg isotopes (even-MIF, Δ200Hg) in atmospheric samples adds another intriguing feature to the Hg isotope system. Despite our lack of sufficient experimental verification and the momentary absence of a valid mechanism to explain its occurrence, even-MIF could be instrumental in understanding the cycle and deposition of atmospheric Hg. In contrast to slightly positive Δ200Hg values (<0.30‰) frequently observed in most atmospheric samples, large Δ200Hg values (up to 1.24‰) determined in precipitation from Peterborough (Ontario, Canada) stand out and could provide valuable information for the origin of the even-MIF mystery. We now report a systematic analysis of high-resolution rainfall and snowfall samples collected in winter during cold weather at Peterborough, Canada. Dissolved and particulate Hg both displayed large variations of odd-MIF (from -0.93‰ to 2.02‰ for Δ199Hg), which may result from long-range transportation, as the negative odd-MIF in particulate Hg is likely a result of long-distance transport of arctic atmospheric Hg(II). Dissolved Hg revealed significant even-MIF values (from 0.25‰ to 1.19‰ for Δ200Hg) and a negative relationship between Δ200Hg and Δ204Hg, which provide further evidence for the previously proposed conceptual model of Δ200Hg. Disconnected odd-MIF and even-MIF trends were detected in sequentially collected precipitation samples, which further suggests different sources or mechanisms for Δ199Hg and Δ200Hg. Particularly, the high Δ200Hg values highlight the transport of stratospheric Hg through a polar vortex to the sampling region, stimulating further systematic investigation. The new Δ200Hg data for particulate Hg add to existing information on atmospheric Hg(II) worldwide, suggesting a global distribution of Hg characterized by even-MIF in the atmosphere, and further constrain the model of atmospheric Hg deposition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengliu Yuan
- Chemistry Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Jiubin Chen
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Holger Hintelmann
- Chemistry Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Hongming Cai
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng He
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550002, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou 550002, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Dasari S, Paris G, Charreau J, Savarino J. Sulfur-isotope anomalies recorded in Antarctic ice cores as a potential proxy for tracing past ozone layer depletion events. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac170. [PMID: 36714879 PMCID: PMC9802080 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Changes in the cosmic-ray background of the Earth can impact the ozone layer. High-energy cosmic events [e.g. supernova (SN)] or rapid changes in the Earth's magnetic field [e.g. geomagnetic Excursion (GE)] can lead to a cascade of cosmic rays. Ensuing chemical reactions can then cause thinning/destruction of the ozone layer-leading to enhanced penetration of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation toward the Earth's surface. However, observational evidence for such UV "windows" is still lacking. Here, we conduct a pilot study and investigate this notion during two well-known events: the multiple SN event (≈10 kBP) and the Laschamp GE event (≈41 kBP). We hypothesize that ice-core-Δ33S records-originally used as volcanic fingerprints-can reveal UV-induced background-tropospheric-photochemical imprints during such events. Indeed, we find nonvolcanic S-isotopic anomalies (Δ33S ≠ 0‰) in background Antarctic ice-core sulfate during GE/SN periods, thereby confirming our hypothesis. This suggests that ice-core-Δ33S records can serve as a proxy for past ozone-layer-depletion events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Guillaume Paris
- Centre de Recherches Pétrographiques et Géochimiques, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Julien Charreau
- Centre de Recherches Pétrographiques et Géochimiques, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 54000 Nancy, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lin YC, Yu M, Xie F, Zhang Y. Anthropogenic Emission Sources of Sulfate Aerosols in Hangzhou, East China: Insights from Isotope Techniques with Consideration of Fractionation Effects between Gas-to-Particle Transformations. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:3905-3914. [PMID: 35294169 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sulfate (SO42-) is a major species in atmospheric fine particles (PM2.5), inducing haze formation and influencing Earth's climate. In this study, the δ34S values in PM2.5 sulfate (δ34S-SO42-) were measured in Hangzhou, east China, from 2015 September to 2016 October. The result showed that the δ34S-SO42- values varied from 1.6 to 6.4‰ with the higher values in the winter. The estimated fractionation factor (α34Sg→p) from SO2 to SO42- averaged at 3.9 ± 1.6‰. The higher α34Sg→p values in the winter were mainly attributed to the decrease of ambient temperature. We further compared the quantified source apportionments of sulfate by isotope techniques with and without the consideration of fractionation factors. The result revealed that the partitioned emission sources to sulfate with the consideration of the fractionation effects were more logical, highlighting that fractionation effects should be considered in partitioning emission sources to sulfate using sulfur isotope techniques. With considering the fractionation effects, coal burning was the dominant source to sulfate (85.5%), followed by traffic emissions (12.8%) and oil combustion (1.7%). However, the coal combustion for residential heating contributed only 0.9% to sulfate on an annual basis in this megacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chi Lin
- Yale-NUIST Center on Atmospheric Environment, International Joint Laboratory on Climate and Environment Change, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Key Laboratory Meteorological Disaster; Ministry of Education & Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disaster, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Mingyuan Yu
- Yale-NUIST Center on Atmospheric Environment, International Joint Laboratory on Climate and Environment Change, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Key Laboratory Meteorological Disaster; Ministry of Education & Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disaster, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Feng Xie
- Yale-NUIST Center on Atmospheric Environment, International Joint Laboratory on Climate and Environment Change, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Key Laboratory Meteorological Disaster; Ministry of Education & Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disaster, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Yanlin Zhang
- Yale-NUIST Center on Atmospheric Environment, International Joint Laboratory on Climate and Environment Change, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Key Laboratory Meteorological Disaster; Ministry of Education & Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disaster, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bulk and grain-scale minor sulfur isotope data reveal complexities in the dynamics of Earth's oxygenation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2025606119. [PMID: 35312361 PMCID: PMC9060445 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2025606119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The permanent disappearance of mass-independent sulfur isotope fractionation (S-MIF) from the sedimentary record has become a widely accepted proxy for atmospheric oxygenation. This framework, however, neglects inheritance from oxidative weathering of pre-existing S-MIF–bearing sedimentary sulfide minerals (i.e., crustal memory), which has recently been invoked to explain apparent discrepancies within the sulfur isotope record. Herein, we demonstrate that such a crustal memory effect does not confound the Carletonville S-isotope record; rather, the pronounced Δ33S values identified within the Rooihoogte Formation represent the youngest known unequivocal oxygen-free photochemical products. Previously observed 33S-enrichments within the succeeding Timeball Hill Formation, however, contrasts with our record, revealing kilometer-scale heterogeneities that highlight significant uncertainties in our understanding of the dynamics of Earth’s oxygenation. The disappearance of mass-independent sulfur isotope fractionation (S-MIF) within the c. 2.3-billion-year-old (Ga) Rooihoogte Formation has been heralded as a chemostratigraphic marker of permanent atmospheric oxygenation. Reports of younger S-MIF, however, question this narrative, leaving significant uncertainties surrounding the timing, tempo, and trajectory of Earth’s oxygenation. Leveraging a new bulk quadruple S-isotope record, we return to the South African Transvaal Basin in search of support for supposed oscillations in atmospheric oxygen beyond 2.3 Ga. Here, as expected, within the Rooihoogte Formation, our data capture a collapse in Δ3×S values and a shift from Archean-like Δ36S/Δ33S slopes to their mass-dependent counterparts. Importantly, the interrogation of a Δ33S-exotic grain reveals extreme spatial variability, whereby atypically large Δ33S values are separated from more typical Paleoproterozoic values by a subtle grain-housed siderophile-enriched band. This isotopic juxtaposition signals the coexistence of two sulfur pools that were able to escape diagenetic homogenization. These large Δ33S values require an active photochemical sulfur source, fingerprinting atmospheric S-MIF production after its documented cessation elsewhere at ∼2.4 Ga. By contrast, the Δ33S monotony observed in overlying Timeball Hill Formation, with muted Δ33S values (<0.3‰) and predominantly mass-dependent Δ36S/Δ33S systematics, remains in stark contrast to recent reports of pronounced S-MIF within proximal formational equivalents. If reflective of atmospheric processes, these observed kilometer-scale discrepancies disclose heterogenous S-MIF delivery to the Transvaal Basin and/or poorly resolved fleeting returns to S-MIF production. Rigorous bulk and grain-scale analytical campaigns remain paramount to refine our understanding of Earth’s oxygenation and substantiate claims of post-2.3 Ga oscillations in atmospheric oxygen.
Collapse
|
10
|
A Clustering Framework to Reveal the Structural Effect Mechanisms of Natural and Social Factors on PM2.5 Concentrations in China. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13031428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of various factors that affect PM2.5 can assist in the development of scientific measures to improve air quality. Nevertheless, existing research has concentrated on exploring local effect mechanisms, while structural effect mechanisms at regional or national scales have scarcely been analysed. Consequently, this study presents an analytical framework for elucidating the structural effect mechanisms of associated factors on PM2.5. Geographically and temporally weighted regression was used to explore the local effect mechanisms. This was followed by spatial clustering analysis to reveal these mechanisms by detecting their aggregation patterns. In the analysis, datasets for annual mean PM2.5 and socio-economic factors in China from 1999 to 2016 were employed. Urban population, gross industrial output, and sulphur dioxide emissions were identified as factors affecting changes in PM2.5 concentrations. These three factors had both negative and positive effects, while the gross industrial output had the largest coefficient variation degree. Three geographically related factors exhibited different impacts on PM2.5 concentrations in most of mainland China. These factors were the urban population roughly west of the Heihe-Tengchong line, gross industrial output primarily in southwestern China, and sulphur dioxide emissions primarily in southern China.
Collapse
|
11
|
Li J, Zhang YL, Cao F, Zhang W, Fan M, Lee X, Michalski G. Stable Sulfur Isotopes Revealed a Major Role of Transition-Metal Ion-Catalyzed SO 2 Oxidation in Haze Episodes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:2626-2634. [PMID: 31944676 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b07150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Secondary sulfate aerosols played an important role in aerosol formation and aging processes, especially during haze episodes in China. Secondary sulfate was formed via atmospheric oxidation of SO2 by OH, O3, H2O2, and transition-metal-catalyzed (TMI) O2. However, the relative importance of these oxidants in haze episodes was strongly debated. Here, we use stable sulfur isotopes (δ34S) of sulfate aerosols and a Rayleigh distillation model to quantify the contributions of each oxidant during a haze episode in Nanjing, a megacity in China. The observed δ34S values of sulfate aerosols showed a negative correlation with sulfur oxidation ratios, which was attributed to the sulfur isotopic fractionations during the sulfate formation processes. Using the average fractionation factor calculated from our observations and zero-dimensional (0-D) atmospheric chemistry modeling estimations, we suggest that OH oxidation was trivial during the haze episode, while the TMI pathway contributed 49 ± 10% of the total sulfate production and O3/H2O2 oxidations accounted for the rest. Our results displayed good agreement with several atmospheric chemistry models that carry aqueous and heterogeneous TMI oxidation pathways, suggesting the role of the TMI pathway was significant during haze episodes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianghanyang Li
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Yan-Lin Zhang
- Yale-NUIST Center on Atmospheric Environment, Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change (ILCEC), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster Ministry of Education (KLME), Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Fang Cao
- Yale-NUIST Center on Atmospheric Environment, Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change (ILCEC), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster Ministry of Education (KLME), Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Wenqi Zhang
- Yale-NUIST Center on Atmospheric Environment, Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change (ILCEC), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster Ministry of Education (KLME), Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Meiyi Fan
- Yale-NUIST Center on Atmospheric Environment, Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change (ILCEC), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster Ministry of Education (KLME), Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Xuhui Lee
- Yale-NUIST Center on Atmospheric Environment, Joint International Research Laboratory of Climate and Environment Change (ILCEC), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
- School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Greg Michalski
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sulfur isotope analysis for representative regional background atmospheric aerosols collected at Mt. Lulin, Taiwan. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19707. [PMID: 31873111 PMCID: PMC6928072 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56048-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Air pollution resulted from fossil fuel burning has been an environmental issue in developing countries in Asia. Sulfur-bearing compounds, in particular, are species that are regulated and monitored routinely. To assess how the species affect at local and global scales, regional background level has to be defined. Here, we report analysis of sulfur isotopes in atmospheric sulfate, the oxidation end product of sulfur species, in particulate phase collected at the Lulin observatory located at 2862 m above mean sea level in 2010. The averaged sulfate concentration for 44 selected samples is 2.7 ± 2.3 (1-σ standard deviation) μg m−3, and the averaged δ34S is 2.2 ± 1.6‰, with respect to the international standard Vienna Canyon Diablo Troilite. Regardless of the origins of air masses, no noticeable difference between the low-altitude Pacific and high-altitude free troposphere sulfate aerosols is observed. Also, no identifiable seasonal cycle in seen. Correlation analysis with respect to coal burning tracers such as lead and oil industry tracers such as vanadium shows sulfate concentration is in better correlation with vanadium (R2 = 0.86, p-value < 0.001) than with lead (R2 = 0.45, p-value < 0.001) but no statistically significant correlation is found in δ34S with any of physical quantities measured. We suggest the sulfate collected at Lulin can best represent the regional background level in the Western Pacific, a quantity that is needed in order to quantitatively assess the budget of sulfur in local to country scales.
Collapse
|
13
|
Thiemens MH, Lin M. Use of Isotope Effects To Understand the Present and Past of the Atmosphere and Climate and Track the Origin of Life. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201812322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark H. Thiemens
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of California San Diego La Jolla California 92093 USA
| | - Mang Lin
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of California San Diego La Jolla California 92093 USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Thiemens MH, Lin M. Use of Isotope Effects To Understand the Present and Past of the Atmosphere and Climate and Track the Origin of Life. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:6826-6844. [PMID: 30633432 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201812322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Stable isotope ratio measurements have been used as a measure of a wide variety of processes, including solar system evolution, geological formational temperatures, tracking of atmospheric gas and aerosol chemical transformation, and is the only means by which past global temperatures may be determined over long time scales. Conventionally, isotope effects derive from differences of isotopically substituted molecules in isotope vibrational energy, bond strength, velocity, gravity, and evaporation/condensation. The variations in isotope ratio, such as 18 O/16 O (δ18 O) and 17 O/16 O (δ17 O) are dependent upon mass differences with δ17 O/δ18 O=0.5, due to the relative mass differences (1 amu vs. 2 amu). Relations that do not follow this are termed mass independent and are the focus of this Minireview. In chemical reactions such as ozone formation, a δ17 O/δ18 O=1 is observed. Physical chemical models capture most parameters but differ in basic approach and are reviewed. The mass independent effect is observed in atmospheric species and used to track their chemistry at the modern and ancient Earth, Mars, and the early solar system (meteorites).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark H Thiemens
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA
| | - Mang Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|