Determination and fractionation of sulphur in a contaminated dredged sediment

Conversion of sulphur compounds in reduced, contaminated sediments that are brought in upland conditions may largely affect the potential mobility of heavy metal contaminants. We applied selected methods for the determination of total sulphur and sulphur fractions in a contaminated sediment in the reduced state and after gradual drying and oxidation during 1 month. Dry ashing, followed by ion chromatographic detection, was reliable for the determination of total sulphur. Good recoveries were obtained in both reference samples and spiked samples. Total sulphur was 14.5±0.6 g kg⁻¹ relative to dry sediment. Wet chemical methods that involve the determination of acid-volatile, Zn–HCl-reducible, chromium-reducible, acetone-soluble and HI-reducible sulphur were used to estimate specific sulphur forms. Results for acetone-soluble sulphur were to high and not consistent with results for other fractions. Major part of sulphur in the sediment (90%) was inorganic. Sulphides were converted partially to sulphate and to intermediary oxidised sulphur compounds upon oxidation of the sediment. The results suggested that the intermediary oxidised sulphur pool in the reduced sediment (2.5 g kg⁻¹) mainly consisted of pyrite, that was not converted during drying and oxidation. No significant changes in organic sulphur were detected.     

Determination of sulphur and total sulphur dioxide in wines by an ICP-AES method

Sulphur contents of the original sample and the sample free from sulphur dioxide were determined by ICP-AES following nitric acid digestion under high pressure (using PAAR HPA equipment), and the total sulphur content was calculated from the difference between the results obtained. With the aim of preparing a sample free from sulphur dioxide, bound sulphur dioxide was released by sodium hydroxide, then after acidifying by phosphoric acid, boiling was carried out. Relative standard deviations of the results obtained for total sulphur, the sulphur without S(IV) and total sulphur dioxide were lower than 2.5, 3.5 and 5% respectively. Various amounts of sulphur (in the form of Na₂SO₄), added to wine samples, were successfully recovered between 95.5 and 104.9%. Based on comparative analyses performed by a widely accepted classic method, the indirect method developed was found to be adequate for the determination of total sulphur dioxide. The procedure is suitable for serial tests.     

Investigation of sulphur compounds in coal tar using monodimensional and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Coal is a non renewable fossil fuel, used mainly as a source of electrical energy and in the production of coke. It is subjected to thermal treatment, pyrolysis, which produces coke as a main product, in addition to a condensed liquid by-product, called tar. Tar is a complex mixture of organic compounds which contains different chemical classes, presenting aromatic and sulphur heterocyclic compounds. In general, identification of these compounds requires steps of isolation and fractionation, mainly due to co-elution of these compounds with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The objective of this work is to characterize the sulphur compounds present in the coal tar obtained via pyrolysis, using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry detector (GC×GC/TOFMS). Coal samples from the State of Paraná, Brazil were subjected to laboratorial scale pyrolysis. Several experimental conditions were tested, such as sample weight (5, 10 and 15g), heating ramp (10, 25 and 100°C/min) and final temperature (500, 700 and 900°C). Samples were analyzed by one dimensional gas chromatography (1D-GC) coupled to a quadrupole mass spectrometry detector (GC/qMS) and two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry detector (GC×GC/TOFMS). The higher amount of sulphur compounds was obtained at a final temperature of 700°C and a heating ramp of 100°C/min. The main classes observed in the color plot were thiophenes, benzothiophenes and alkylated dibenzothiophenes. GC×GC/TOFMS allowed the identification of the greater number of compounds and the separation of several sulphur compounds from one another. Moreover, separation of sulphur compounds from polyaromatic hydrocarbons and phenols was achieved, which was not possible by 1D-GC. Comparing GC×GC/TOFMS and 1D-GC (SIM mode) also showed that 1D-GC, one of the most employed quantification tools for sulphur compounds, can be misleading for detection, identification and quantification, as the number of isomers of sulphur compounds found was greater than theoretically possible.     

Volatile sulphur compounds in wines related to yeast metabolism and nitrogen composition of grape musts

The influence of nitrogen compounds in grape musts on the content of sulphur compounds of wines was studied. Different vinifications were performed with the addition of methionine (20 mg l⁻¹) and/or cysteine (40 mg l⁻¹) to grape musts before alcoholic fermentation. Six grape musts, with different nitrogen composition, from cultivars of the ‘Vinhos Verdes’ Region, in Portugal, were used. Addition of methionine to grape musts enhanced the content of wines in 3-(methylthio)-1-propanol, acetic acid-3-(methylthio)propyl ester, 3-(methylthio)propionic acid and some unidentified sulphur compounds. Increase of cysteine concentration in musts led to the production of wines with high levels of hydrogen sulphide and cis-2-methyltetrahydro-thiophene-3-OL and also unidentified sulphur compounds; however, the content of 3-(methylthio)propionic acid in the wines decreased considerately with the addition of cysteine to grape musts. This work showed that cultivars from the Vinho Verde Region show different sulphur compound contents. Avesso wines, elaborated from grape musts with low amino acids level, presented the highest total sulphur compounds content. Wines from Azal branco and Alvarinho were characterised by high contents of 4-(methylthio)-1-butanol and 3-(methylthio)propionic acid, respectively. A high content of N-(3-(methylthio) propyl)-acetamide and dimethylsulphone characterise the Loureiro wines. In contrast, Trajadura wines, produced from a must rich in amino acids, presented a low total sulphur compounds content; however, these wines were also characterised by high concentrations of 4-(methylthio)-1-butanol, acetic acid-3-(methylthio)propyl ester and hydrogen sulphide.     

Method for analysis of heavy sulphur compounds using gas chromatography with flame photometric detection

A method for analysis of heavy sulphur compounds in wines, based on gas chromatography (GC) with flame photometric detection, is reported. Wine samples preparation includes a dichloromethane liquid-liquid extraction followed by concentration under a nitrogen atmosphere. The extracted fraction was also analysed by GC-mass spectrometry. The method enables high recovery of sulphur compounds in wine and satisfies the requirements of repeatability and sensitivity. Applications of the method to red, white and Port wines are reported.     

Measurement of reduced sulphur compounds contained in aqueous matrices by direct injection into a gas chromatograph with a flame photometric detector

An analytical method was developed to measure the concentration of hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide contained in aqueous matrices (distilled water, tap water, kraft mill condensates and membrane bioreactor mixed liquor) by direct injection of aqueous samples into a gas chromatograph with a flame photometric detector. The analytical method requires a small sample volume (2 ml), sample preparation and analysis can be completed within 20 min and no complex sampling apparatus is needed. Consistent results and good recoveries were observed in all matrices investigated over the range of concentrations examined. The relationship between the normalized peak area obtained from GC–flame photometric detection and the concentration of the reduced sulphur compounds (RSCs) examined did not follow the theoretical power law exponent of two. The power law exponent appeared to decrease with the organic fraction associated with each RSC. The observed power law exponents for hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide were 1.92, 1.90, 1.66 and 1.72, respectively.     

Determination of sulphur in uranium matrix by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

The possibility of sulphur determination in uranium matrix by total reflection x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) has been studied. Calibration solutions and samples of sulphur in uranium matrix were prepared by mixing uranium in form of a standard uranyl nitrate solution and sulphur in the form of Na₂SO₄ standard solution, prepared by dissolving Na₂SO₄ in Milli-Q water. For major element analysis of sulphur, it was determined without separation of uranium whereas for the trace level determinations, uranium was first separated by solvent extraction using 30% tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in dodecane as an extractant. In order to countercheck the TXRF results, a few samples of Rb₂U(SO₄)₃, a chemical assay standard for uranium, were diluted to different dilutions and sulphur content in these solutions were determined. The TXRF determined results for trace determinations of sulphur in these diluted solutions were counterchecked after addition of another uranium solution, so that sulphur is at trace level compared to uranium, separating uranium from these solution mixtures using TBP extraction and determining sulphur in aqueous phase by TXRF. For such TXRF determinations, Co was used as internal standard and W Lα was used as excitation source. The precision and accuracy of the method was assessed for trace and major element determinations and was found to be better than 8% (1σ RSD) and 15% at a concentration level of 1 μg/mL of sulphur measured in solutions whereas for Rb₂U(SO₄)₃, these values were found to be better than 4 and 13%, respectively.     

Comparison of sulphur and sulphur–oxygen ligands as ionophores for liquid–liquid extraction and facilitated transport of silver and palladium

The reactivity of new ligands described as S₁, S₅, S₂O₉ (in respect to character and amount of donors) towards metal ions was examined by extraction from HNO₃ and HCl media. These ligands were next utilised as carriers for Ag and Pd transport through a supported liquid membrane (SLM). The effect of collecting a greater number of S donors in one molecule and the influence of type of donors (O–S versus S) on efficiency and selectivity of Ag and Pd(II) extraction and transport were examined.

The extraction of Ag from HNO₃ solutions increased with increasing amount of S-donors in one molecule (S₁2O₉5). For palladium the sequence was different (S₅12O₉). The transport of Ag through SLM impregnated with m-chlorotoluene solution of ionophore increased in the same order as in the case of extraction, whereas for Pd the row was different: S₅2O₉1. The highest fluxes of Ag and Pd transported from HNO₃ equalled to 5.25×10⁻⁷ and 1.37×10⁻⁷ mol/m² s, respectively. Palladium flux depended on stripping solution type (Na₂S₂O₃相似文献   

Characterization of the flame photometric detector in the sulphur mode

Summary The effect of experimental conditions such as gas flow rates, detector and column temperatures on sulphur response are discussed. It is concluded that the response of the flame photometric detector is affected by the O/H ratio and the total gas flow. Column temperature has an important influence upon S₂ emission. It is shown that the sulphur response of the FPD is dependent on the compound containing the sulphur.     

Combination of gravitational SPLITT fractionation and field-flow fractionation for size-sorting and characterization of sea sediment

A combination of gravitational split-flow thin (SPLITT) fractionation and sedimentation/steric field-flow fractionation (Sd/StFFF) has been used for continuous size-sorting of a sediment sample and for size analysis of the collected fractions. An IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) sediment material was separated into four size fractions (with theoretical size ranges <1.0, 1.0–3.0, 3.0–5.0, and >5.0 m in diameter) by means of a three-step gravitational SPLITT fractionation (GSF) for which the same GSF channel was used throughout. The GSF fractions were collected and examined by optical microscopy (OM) and by Sd/St FFF. The mean diameters of the GSF fractions measured by OM were within the size interval predicted by GSF theory, despite the theory assuming that all particles are spherical, which is not true for the sediment particles. The Sd/St FFF results showed that retention shifted toward shorter elution time (or larger size) than expected, probably because of the shape effect. The results from GSF, OM, and Sd/StFFF are discussed in detail.     

Determination of sulphur in liquids obtained by thermal cracking of waste polymers and commercial fuels with different analytical methods

Low sulphur concentration in hydrocarbon products as fuels or lubricants is an important requirement for the high quality standards of refineries. A non-polarised energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRFS) and sample combustion technique (ASTM D6428-99) was compared. A new application of energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry as analytical method for the determination of sulphur in fuels and fuel-like fractions was investigated. Low sulphur containing fuels and hydrocarbon mixtures obtained by thermal cracking of waste polymers were measured and the influence of C/H ratio on accuracy was studied. The concentration of sulphur in samples was measured with calibration graphs of different hydrocarbon matrices (commercial gasoline, diesel oil and white oil were used). Good correlation was observed between the different methods, but the correlation was depending on the characteristics of the matrices. Detection limits of 1.0 ppm, 1.1 ppm and 0.9 ppm were obtained for S in gasoline, diesel oil and white oil, respectively.     

Conversion of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere

Summary Pertinent, previous studies of the oxidation of SO₂ in the atmosphere are briefly reviewed. A project dealing with the conversion in the plume from an oil-fired power station is described in greater detail. Measurements were performed from an aircraft and included continuous registration of NO_x, SO₂ and ozone concentrations. The possibility of using NO_x as an internal tracer is discussed; also the use of the inert tracer SF₆ is treated and a special detector for the continuous registration of SF₆ in relative concentrations down to 10^–6 ppm is described. Preliminary results indicate a half-life for SO₂ in the plume of about half an hour.

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Umsetzung von Schwefeldioxid in der Atmosphäre

Zusammenfassung Einschlägige frühere Studien über die Oxidation von SO₂ in der Atmosphäre werden kurz diskutiert. Ein Projekt zum Studium der Umwandlung im Abrauch eines ölbefeuerten Kraftwerkes wird im Detail beschrieben. Die Messungen wurden mit Hilfe eines Flugzeuges vorgenommen und schließen die kontinuierliche Aufzeichnung von NO_x-, SO₂- und Ozon-Konzentrationen ein. Die Möglichkeit der Verwendung von NO_x als interner Indicator wird diskutiert. Außerdem wird der Gebrauch des inerten Indicators SF₆ behandelt und ein spezieller Detektor für die kontinuierliche Aufzeichnung von SF₆ mit relativen Konzentrationen bis herunter auf 10^–6 ppm beschrieben. Vorläufige Ergebnisse deuten auf eine Halbwertszeit von SO₂ im Abrauch von etwa 30 min hin.

Presented at the 6th Annual Symposium on Recent Advances in the Analytical Chemistry of Pollutants, April 21–23, 1976; Vienna, Austria     

Determination of phenols in water by on-line solid-phase disk extraction and liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB) membrane extraction disks were used as sorbents for the on-line solid phase extraction of 13 phenols (nitro and chlorophenols) in river and tap waters. Determination was performed by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (LC-ED). An acetate buffer-acetonitrile-methanol mixture as mobile phase and amperometric detection at +1100 mV were used. High water volumes, up to 250 ml, can be preconcentrated without loss of phenols (recoveries between 80% and 100%) except for the more polar ones. Moreover, detection limits between 0.01 and 0.1 μg l⁻¹ in tap water and between 0.1 and 1.0 μg⁻¹ in river water were obtained. The method has been applied to the analysis of two river water samples.     

What is the true odour of cut Allium? Complementarity of various hyphenated methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with particle beam and atmospheric pressure ionization interfaces in sulphenic acids rearrangement components discrimination

Many sulphur volatiles were previously claimed to participate in the Allium odours (thiosulphinates, degradation compounds of sulphenic acids or thiosulphinates). To determine the true Allium odours we reexamine garlic (Allium sativum L.), leek (Allium porrum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.) by different methods of isolation (extraction, trapping on adsorbent, cold trapping), transfer techniques (liquid samples, headspace SPME) and chromatographic procedures (various HPLC-MS (-MS) systems: thermabeam, electrospray and APCI, SPME-GC-MS and GC-MS). Analysis of Allium odours show only thiopropanal S-oxide, thiosulphinates and related compounds (zwiebelanes, cepaenes) in minor quantities and no disulphides or other rearrangement products.     

Application of microwave heating to the determination of free, combined and total sulphur in rubber

An atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) method for the determination of total and combined sulphur in rubber and a catalytic method for the determination of free sulphur in rubber are described. The catalytic method is based on the iodine-azide reaction and is followed by an extraction of free sulphur with benzene, toluene or acetone. The catalytic determination, with the aid of gas chromatography, was performed in N,N-dimethylformamide after expelling the more volatile solvents used in the extraction. The calibration is linear over the range 2 × 10⁻⁶ – 3 × 10⁻⁴ M. Before the determination of total and combined sulphur, the rubber samples were decomposed by microwave assisted heating (5 min, 110 W) in a Teflon closed vessel. After microwave heating the solution was clear and homogenous and all sulphur compounds contained in the rubber were quantitatively oxidized to sulphate. The sulphates were then precipitated as BaSO₄ and an excess of barium was determined by AAS. From the difference in the results of the determinations of total and free sulphur the amount of combined sulphur can be calculated, and from the difference in the determinations of total and combined sulphur the amount of free sulphur can be calculated. In the latter case the catalytic analysis is not needed.     

Mechanistic modeling of reversion phenomenon in sulphur cured natural rubber vulcanization kinetics

A novel kinetic model of natural rubber sulphur vulcanization is proposed. The modeling approach takes into account current knowledge on the different polysulfidic structures present during vulcanization, and the associated individual reactions. A simplified scheme is proposed, giving a mechanistic view of the reversion phenomenon, which results in a decrease of the elastic modulus (related to the sulphur crosslink density) for long vulcanization times at high temperature. The resulting set of differential equations is solved by an appropriate numerical method to predict the evolution of the degree of vulcanization for isothermal cure conditions.     

Determination of butyl- and phenyltin compounds in biological material by gas chromatography-flame photometric detection after ethylation with sodium tetraethylborate

A reliable and rapid speciation method for the simultaneous determination of butyl- and phenyltin species in biological samples has been developed. Three extraction procedures are compared: enzymatic hydrolysis and solubilization by ethanoic and hydrochloric acids. Derivatization is performed by the one-step ethylation/extraction procedure using the sodium tetraethylborate reagent directly in the aqueous phase in the presence of an isooctane layer. Analysis is performed using capillary gas chromatography coupled to flame photometric detection. The detection limits are in the range of a few ng(Sn)/g. Analysis of the environmental samples and the certified reference material demonstrates the accuracy of the analytical method.     

Determination of hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide in a mixture

A method has been proposed for the determination of hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide in a mixture. The method is based upon the quantitative oxidation of sulphide and sulphite with an excess of radiochloramine-T in alkaline medium /0.1N NaOH/. The released chloride activity is proportional to the total amount of sulphide and sulphite present. Addition of 1% CdSO₄ solution to the mixture of sulphide and sulphite precipitates sulphide, and sulphite in the filtrate determined by the reagent. From the difference in activities, the amount of sulphide can be calculated. This method can be employed for the determination of hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide in air samples.     

Analytical phosphorus fractionation in sewage sludge and sediment samples

The Standards, Measurements and Testing (SMT) harmonized procedure for phosphorus fractionation in freshwater sediments (SMT protocol), which was developed within the framework of the Standards, Measurements and Testing (SMT) Programme of the European Commission, has been applied to different environmental samples such as sewage sludge, river and marine sediments. The phosphorus contents in the extracts were spectrophotometrically determined; the measurement conditions and the matrix effects were evaluated for each fraction. The partitioning patterns obtained for sewage sludge and sediment samples reveal that the distribution between inorganic and organic phosphorus forms is independent of the matrix composition of the samples. In addition, a higher available phosphorus content was found in sewage sludges due to the higher percentages of labile phosphorus forms, which suggests possible internal phosphorus release. Finally, one simplified pseudototal microwave digestion method was performed for total phosphorus determination which was validated by its application to the reference material BCR-684.     

Characterisation of organic matter in sediment from Corin Reservoir, Australia

Analytical pyrolysis was performed to characterise the organic matter present in sediments from Corin Reservoir, a major water supply for Canberra, Australia. Pyrolysis of the whole sediment yielded furans, methoxyphenols, aliphatic products and nitrogenous compounds that are indicative of carbohydrates, lignin, lipids and proteins respectively. There was a decrease in the observed relative peak area of polysaccharide and lignin-derived marker compounds with increasing depth of sediment and an increase in nitrogenous marker compounds. In addition, eucalyptol, a molecular marker compound characteristic of eucalyptus—the dominant vegetation of the surrounding catchment—was detected.