Determination of total sulfur in geothermal water by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

Sulfur speciation and concentration in geothermal water are of great significance for the research and utilization of the water resources. In most situations, it is necessary to determine the total sulfur in geothermal water. In this study, the method was established for the determination of determining total sulfur content — the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), with the wavelength of 182.034 nm selected in spectral line of sulfur. It was identified that the optimal working conditions of the ICP-AES instrument were 1 200 W for high frequency generator power 9 mm for vertical observation height, 0.30 MPa atomizer pressure, and 50 r/min analytical pump speed. The matrix interference of the method was eliminated by the matrix matching method. Using this method, sulfur detection limit and minimum quantitative detection limit were 0.028 mg/L and 0.110 mg/L, respectively, whilst the linear range was 0.0–100.0 mg/L. The recovery rate of sample was between 90.67% and 108.7%, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was between 0.36% and 2.14%. The method was used to analyze the actual samples and the results were basically consistent with the industry standard method. With high analysis efficiency, the method has low detection limit and minimum quantitative detection limit, wide linear range, good precision and accuracy, and provides an important detection method for the determination of total sulfur in geothermal water.