Measurement of sulfur isotope composition (δ34S) by multiple‐collector thermal ionization mass spectrometry using a 33S‐36S double spike

A new analytical technique is described for the determination of δ³⁴S that is comparable to or better than modern gas source mass spectrometry in precision and accuracy, but requires about a factor of 10 less sample. The technique is based on the production of singularly charged arsenic sulfide molecular ions (AsS⁺) by thermal ionization using silica gel as an emitter and combines multiple‐collector thermal ionization mass spectrometry (MC‐TIMS) with a ³³S‐³⁶S double spike to correct instrumental fractionation. Three international sulfur standards (IAEA‐S‐1, IAEA‐S‐2, and IAEA‐S‐3) were measured to evaluate the precision and accuracy of the new technique and to evaluate the consensus values for these standards. Two different double spike preparations were used. The δ³⁴S values (reported relative to Vienna Canyon Diablo Troilite (VCDT), (δ³⁴S (‰) = (((³⁴S/³²S)_sample/(³⁴S/³²S)_VCDT ? 1) × 1000]), ³⁴S/³²S_VCDT = 0.0441626) determined were ?0.32 ± 0.04‰ (1σ, n = 4) and ?0.31 ± 0.13‰ (1σ, n = 8) for IAEA‐S‐1, 22.65 ± 0.04‰ (1σ, n = 7) and 22.60 ± 0.06‰ (1σ, n = 5) for IAEA‐S‐2, and ?32.47 ± 0.07‰ (1σ, n = 8) for IAEA‐S‐3. The amount of natural sample used for these analyses ranged from 0.40 to 2.35 µmol. Replicate determinations of each standard showed less than 0.5‰ variability (IAEA‐S‐1 <0.4‰, IAEA‐S‐2 <0.2‰, and IAEA‐S‐3 <0.2‰). Because the technique is based on thermal ionization of AsS⁺, and As is mononuclidic, corrections for interferences or for scale contraction/expansion are not required. The availability of MC‐TIMS instruments in laboratories around the world makes this technique immediately available to a much larger scientific community who require highly accurate and precise measurements of sulfur. Published in 2005 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.