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- Title
Sulfur isotope analyses using 3× elemental analysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometry: Saving helium and energy while reducing analytical time and costs.
- Authors
Spangenberg, Jorge E.; Bosco‐Santos, Alice
- Abstract
Rationale: Helium (He) and energy shortages have caused price increases and reduced their availability. Using three combustion reactions per acquisition of carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios saves 50% He and energy during the elemental analysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS). This approach needs to be tested for sulfur isotope (δ34S) analyses. Methods: A new method to measure δ34S in three sequential combustion reactions within one EA/IRMS acquisition was developed. The same material or blank samples could be used in the three reactions. After SO2 was used, a N2 purging method was employed to prolong the lifetime of the valves in the EA/IRMS interface. The 3×EA/IRMS was applied to measure δ34S in precious samples, such as Ag2S from acid‐volatile and chromium‐reducible sulfur extracted with a multiple‐port setup. Results: The 3×EA/IRMS‐δ34S method was validated with replicate analyses of international reference materials and laboratory standards with a wide range of mineralogical compositions and δ34S values. The method provided a strategic advantage for the δ34S measurements of small precious samples (measured between blanks). The accuracy and precision of the 3×EA/IRMS values effectively matched those obtained using conventional EA/IRMS, with good agreement between the mean ± SD values and the recommended values with their uncertainties. Conclusions: Compared with the conventional EA/IRMS, the proposed method provides accurate and precise δ34S measurements of the sulfate and sulfide samples while saving approximately 50% of He, energy, SO2 reference gas, O2, analysis time, and cost. Notably, 3×EA/IRMS can provide up to three δ34S values unaffected by memory effects.
- Subjects
SULFUR isotopes; NITROGEN isotopes; ISOTOPIC analysis; CARBON isotopes; ENERGY shortages
- Publication
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry: RCM, 2024, Vol 38, Issue 19, p1
- ISSN
0951-4198
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/rcm.9866