A SIMPLE METHOD FOR FIELD DETERMINATION OF SOME REDUCED SULFUR SPECIES IN SOIL GASES

A simple method is described for the measurement of the concentration of some volatile reduced sulphur compounds in soil gases and for assessing their rate of emission. Analysis is by a fluorometric technique which is sensitive to reduced sulphur as H2S, carbonyl sulphide, carbon disulphide and dimethyl disulphide. The method is suitable for determination of sulphide in the range 0. 5 to 100 ppb and can be used for soils of low sulphide productivity. In addition to determination of productivity of volatile sulphides from soils the technique has application to leakage of sulphide gases from landfill sites.