Multiple sulfur isotopes fractionations associated with abiotic sulfur transformations in Yellowstone National Park geothermal springs

Abiotic sulfur transformations in Yellowstone National Park's geothermal springs exhibit complex multiple sulfur isotope fractionations, with variations in sulfate isotopic composition and differences in ∆(33)S among species. These findings suggest a network of redox reactions involving intermediate sulfur species, rather than bacterial processes. The study quantified main (hydrogen sulfide, sulfate) and intermediate sulfur species (zero-valent sulfur, thiosulfate, sulfite, thiocyanate) across six springs, combining these with quadruple sulfur isotope measurements. Key insights include the near-zero fractionation between zero-valent sulfur and hydrogen sulfide at low pH, and slight enrichment of zero-valent sulfur at higher pH due to equilibration in the rhombic sulfur-polysulfide - hydrogen sulfide system.

Kamyshny, A., Druschel, G., Mansaray, Z. F., & Farquhar, J. (2014). Multiple sulfur isotopes fractionations associated with abiotic sulfur transformations in Yellowstone National Park geothermal springs. Geochemical Transactions, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1467-4866-15-7