Analysis of elemental sulfur in sediments by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract

We were very interested to read the paper by D. Fabbri, C. Locatelli, and S. Tarabusi, Chromatographia 2001, 53, 119 121. We quite agree with the authors' opinion of the importance of subject studied, i.e. elemental sulfur in bottom sediments geochemical studies, environment studies, and the development of new methods for its analysis. When considering chromatographic methods, the authors of this paper did not mention reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP HPLC). We were to some extent puzzled, because RP HPLC has incontestable advantages in comparison with the method proposed in the paper cited above. We therefore believe we must present our opinion on this matter, as this might be of interest to readers of your journal.The first time RP HPLC was used for analysis of elemental sulfur (SO) was in a study of the decomposition of sulfur-organic combinations in an aquatic environment [1]; later it was used to study soils and soil extracts [2, 3], dormant and germinating s-spores of plants [4], and aqueous suspensions [5]. This method is also easily adapted for studies of S o in bottom sediments [6]. The utility of the method is confirmed by our experience of studies of sulfur in Lake Baikal bottom sediments. It is particularly important to state that use of RP HPLC enables simpler sample preparation, the analysis of untreated extracts by direct injection into the chromatographic column (for sulfur content of at least 4 ixg g 1 in dry sediment), and highly reproducible analytical results (Sr = 6 %). t'igue 1. A Solution of sulfur S~ in acetone (50 ~tg mL 1). B Crude extract of the core sample from the layer 168 173 cm (Southern Lake Baikal), acetone (27 ~tgmL 1). Column 2x75 mm with Nucleosil 100-5 C18 PAH. Eluent: acetonitrile:water = 75:25 (v/v). UV detection at 200 nm. Flow rate 0.2 ml/ min. Temperature 45 ~ References[1] M6ckel, H.; Masloch,