Sulfur Isotopic Composition of H2S and SO4 2− from Mineral Springs in the Polish Carpathians

Abstract

A number of springs in Carpathian Mts. contain dissolved H2S and SO4 2- in concentrations above 10 mg/dm3. In this study we have investigated the sulfur isotope composition (δ34S) of the dissolved sulfur species in the springs from the flysch area in the Carpathian Mts. along the tectonic dislocation. It is believed that some of these springs may carry a major fraction of dissolved sulfur species of extremely deep sulfur (of mantle origin), which is subjected to SO4 2-—H2S isotope exchange at high temperatures. The original isotopic compositions may be modified by reduction/oxidation at low temperatures and by admixture of sulfur from other sources. In order to distinguish the sulfur of mantle origin we investigated δ34S of dissolved sulfide and sulfate and on the basis of known concentrations we calculated δ34S of total dissolved sulfur. The isotope fractionation between sulfate and sulfide helped to distinguish the sulfur origin. Evaluating the sulfur isotope exchange, we selected 4 springs which likely have only weakly disturbed sulfur of mantle origin.