Multiple Sulfur Isotopic Composition of Sulfate in the Fresh Water, Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

초록

Isotopic compositions of sulfur (δ33S, δ34S, δ36S) from sulfate of the fresh water in Deception island were measured to provide the information on the sources of sulfate in the surface water and to check the possibility of mass independent fractionation of sulfur in this area. Most part of the Deception Island is covered by volcanic rocks from the recent activities not exceeding 200 ka. To south and north of the Deception Island, plutonic rocks of granitic composition ranging from Mesozoic to Cenozoic are widely distributed. Because of the recent volcanic activities in Deception Island (most recent eruptions in 1970), sulfur containing aerosols produced in the stratosphere might have been added and could contribute the mass independent signature to the hydrologic system. The δ34S values of sulfate extracted from water samples at Deception Island range from 8.1 to 17.3 per mil. The Δ33S values of sulfate extracted from water samples at Deception island range from 0.000 to 0.046 per mil. Δ36S values of sulfate extracted from water samples range from -0.257 to 0.186 per mil. These waters represent the concentration from Antarctic snow and ice. In Antarctic region the natural source of sulfate dissolved in water could be originated from marine biogenic source (DMS), sea-salt, volcanic source, or other continental sources. The δ34S values of water sulfate at Deception Island well support the dominance of marine biogenic origin for the source of sulfur. Mass independent sulfur isotope anomalies are known to be produced through photochemical reactions and have been reported in Precambrian rock samples, recent atmospheric aerosols, and ice cores containing the volcanic erupted ashes piercing through stratosphere. Isotopic composition of sulfate in fresh water indicates that only mass-dependent fractionation was prevailing for sulfur isotopic system at Deception Island.