Publications

Development and validation of analytical methods for elemental sulphur in Alberta soils

Description

Deposition of air-borne sulphur dust from industrial facilities that handle or process solid elemental sulphur has the potential to cause soil acidification at or near those sites in Alberta. Lack of suitable analytical methods for elemental sulphyr has become a challenge for soil monitoring for industry operators and regulators. An acetone extraction-sodium cyanide colorimetric analysis method has been used in Alberta but environmental consultants and laboratories complained about the high detection limit and questioned its reliability. A chloroform extraction-HPLC analysis method developed in New Zealand was reported to work well with a wide range of agricultural mineral soils and some sediments. It was not clear if it would be suitable in Alberta because the impact of elemental sulphur on soils is frequently monitored in forested sites where organic materials from forest litter may interfere. There was also a need to assess if the above-noted methods were compatible with the analytical laboratories in Alberta. As chloroform is a toxic substance, alternative solvents of similar extracting capacity for elemental sulphur needed to be explored.

Updated

June 1, 2015

Tags
soil contamination sulfur sulphur

Title and publication information

Type
Report
Extent

78 pages

Frequency

Once

Publisher / Creator Information

Publisher

Environment and Parks

Contributor

Maxxam Analytics

Place of Publication

Edmonton

Resource Dates

Date Created

2015-06-01

Date Added

2015-10-30T21:02:12.084071

Date Modified

2015-06-01

Date Issued

2015-06-01

Audience information

Identifiers

ISBN (pdf)

9781460121474

ISBN (print)

9781460121467

NEOS catalogue key

7102085

Usage / Licence

Contact

Contact Name

Environment and Parks

Contact Other

Land Policy Branch Oxbridge Place, 10th floor, 9820-106 street Edmonton AB T5K 2J6 780-415-2585 780-422-4192 (fax)