ISOTOPIC GEOCHEMISTRY OF SULPHUR

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1959 · Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(59)90112-7· OSTI ID:4248716

Ault, W U; Kulp, J L

The isotopic composition of sulfur was determined for a large number of specimens representing the important geochemicai phases in which sulfur is present. The most significant process that causes sulfur isotopic fractionation is the reduction of dissolved sulfate by bacteria, although other processes such as distillation of volcanic emanations, oxidation-reduction of H/sub 2/S, SO/sub 2/, and S during volcanism, and sulfide--sulfate equilibrium under magmatic or hydrothermal condittons can be locally important. The new data are combined with earlier work in an attempt to deftne the range and average Sa/sup 32/S/sup 34/ ratio of the various sulfur-bearing phases of tlie crust. The most important averages are meteorttes, ocean sulfate, mafic rocks, plutonic silictc rocks, hydrothermal sulfides, and sedimentary sulfide and postCambrian evaporite sulfate. A material balance calculation of the sulfur isotopes in the crust, although subject to considerable uncertainties, points to an average crustal composttion of sulfur heavier than that for meteorites. No age effect ts found for at least the last 2 x 10/sup 9/ years. Finally, a geochemical theory ts described to account for the apparent distrtbution of sulfur isotopes in the lithosphere. (auth)

• Research Organization: Columbia Univ., New York
• NSA Number: NSA-13-019879
• OSTI ID: 4248716
• Journal Information: Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta, Journal Name: Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta Vol. Vol: 16
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BACTERIA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DISTILLATION
GEOLOGY
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPES
MAGNESIUM
METEORITES
OXIDATION
QUANTITY RATIO
REDUCTION
ROCKS
SOLUTIONS
SULFATES
SULFIDES
SULFUR 32
SULFUR 34
SULFUR ISOTOPES
SULFUR OXIDES