Theoretical estimates of equilibrium sulfur isotope effects in aqueous sulfur systems: Highlighting the role of isomers in the sulfite and sulfoxylate systems

Journal Article · Mon Sep 26 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2016.09.021· OSTI ID:1481754

Eldridge, D. L. ^[1]; Guo, W. ^[2]; Farquhar, J. ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States). Dept. of Geology and ESSIC
2. Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst., Woods Hole, MA (United States). Dept.of Geology and Geophysics

We present theoretical calculations for all three isotope ratios of sulfur (³³S/³²S,³⁴S/³²S,³⁶S/³²S) at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory for aqueous sulfur compounds modeled in 30–40H₂O clusters spanning the range of sulfur oxidation state (Sⁿ, n = -2 to +6) for estimating equilibrium fractionation factors in aqueous systems. Computed ³⁴β values based on major isotope (³⁴S/³²S) reduced partition function ratios (RPFRs) scale to a first order with sulfur oxidation state and coordination, where ³⁴β generally increase with higher oxidation state and increasing coordination of the sulfur atom. Exponents defining mass dependent relationships based on β values (^x/34κ = ln(^xβ)/ln(³⁴β), x = 33 or 36) conform to tight ranges over a wide range of temperature for all aqueous compounds (^33/34κ ≈ 0.5148–0.5159,^36/34κ ≈ 1.89–1.90 from T ≽ 0 °C). The exponents converge near a singular value for all compounds at the high temperature limit (^33/34κT→∞= 0.51587 ± 0.00003 and ^36/34κT→∞= 1.8905 ± 0.0002; 1 s.d. of all computed compounds), and typically follow trends based on oxidation state and coordination similar to those seen in ³⁴β values at lower temperatures. Theoretical equilibrium fractionation factors computed from these β-values are compared to experimental constraints for HSO₃^-T(aq)/SO_{2(g, aq)}, SO_2(aq)/SO_2(g), H₂S_(aq)/H₂S_(g), H₂S_(aq)/HS^-_(aq), SO₄^2-_(aq)/H₂S_T(aq), S₂O₃^2-_(aq) (intramolecular), and S₂O₃^2-_(aq)/H₂S_T(aq), and generally agree within a reasonable estimation of uncertainties. We make predictions of fractionation factors where other constraints are unavailable. Isotope partitioning of the isomers of protonated compounds in the sulfite and sulfoxylate systems depend strongly on whether protons are bound to either sulfur or oxygen atoms. The magnitude of the HSO₃^-_T/SO₃^2- major isotope (³⁴S/³²S) fractionation factor is predicted to increase with temperature from 0 to 70 °C due to the combined effects of the large magnitude (HS)O₃^-/SO₃^2- fractionation factor (1000ln³⁴α_{(HS)bisulfite-sulfite} = 19.9‰, 25 °C) relative to the (HO)SO₂^-/SO₃^2- fractionation factor (1000ln³⁴α_{(HO)bisulfite–sulfite} = -2.2‰, 25 °C), and the increased stability of the (HS)O₃^- isomer with increasing temperature. Finally, we argue that isomerization phenomenon should be considered in models of the sulfur cycle, including models that describe the overall sulfur isotope fractionations associated with microbial metabolism (e.g., microbial sulfate reduction).

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 1481754
• Journal Information: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 195, Issue C; ISSN 0016-7037
• Publisher: The Geochemical Society; The Meteoritical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Sulfur isotopes
Sulfite
Bisulfite
Sulfoxylate
Isotope effects
Mass dependent
Theoretical calculations