Hello everyone,

As there's a small S conversation going on, I thought I'd ask if anyone
might have any suggestions as to how to analyse d34S of BaSO4 by elemental
analysis?  I find that I often get very variable yields of SO2, which I
think is due to inconsistent heating of BaSO4 during Sn combustion, and
hence incomplete decomposition of BaSO4.  I've tried a couple of things to
try and increase the temperature/duration of the Sn combustion (e.g. using
a larger Sn cup, using two Sn cups, adding PbO or sucrose, etc.), and this
helps, but doesn't completely solve the problem.  I'm currently using a
single quartz tube at 1000 C - has anyone tried using a double tube
configuration with an alumina tube at higher temperature (1300+ C) for the
combustion, and then a quartz tube with Cu at 1000 C?  Alternatively, has
anyone identified an effective additive to promote complete BaSO4
decomposition?

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

Cheers,
Simon

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Simon R. Poulson
Dept. of Geological Sciences, MS-172
University of Nevada-Reno
Reno, NV 89557-0138
USA
Phone: (775) 784-1104
Fax: (775) 784-1833
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