This research was jointly funded and supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 91128101, 41273054, and 41373007), the China Geological Survey Project for South China Sea Gas Hydrate Resource Exploration (No. DD20160211), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 16lgjc11), and Guangdong Province Universities and Colleges Pearl River Scholar Funded Scheme (No. 2011). Zhiyong Lin acknowledges the financial support provided by the China Scholarship Council (No. 201506380046). Yang Lu thanks the Guangzhou Elite Project (No. JY201223) and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2016M592565). We are grateful to Dr. Shengxiong Yang, Guangxue Zhang, and Dr. Jinqiang Liang of the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey for providing samples and valuable suggestions. We thank Dr. Xianhua Li and Dr. Lei Chen of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics (Beijing), Chinese Academy of Sciences, for help with the SIMS analysis. Dr. Xiaoping Xia is thanked for making available the SIMS Lab of the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, for the filming of this article. The manuscript benefited from comments from Dr. Alisha Dsouza, review editor of JoVE, and two anonymous referees.

1. Collection of Samples from a Sediment Core
Note: The core HS148 was obtained from a site near the gas hydrate drilling zone in the Shenhu area, South China Sea, during a cruise of the R/V Haiyang Sihao in 2006.
<ol>
	<li>Cut the piston core (here, HS148) into sections at intervals of 0.7 m from the top to the bottom (onboard the vessel) and transfer the sections to a cold room (4 &#176;C) for storage after retrieval.</li>
	<li>Transfer the core sections to a cold room (4 &#176;C) in the l...

<ol>
	<li>Judd, A. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+global+importance+and+context+of+methane+escape+from+the+seabed.">The global importance and context of methane escape from the seabed.</a> Geo-Mar Lett. 23 (3), 147-154 (2003).</li><li>Suess, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Marine+cold+seeps+and+their+manifestations:+geological+control,+biogeochemical+criteria+and+environmental+conditions.">Marine cold seeps and their manifestations: geological control, biogeochemical criteria and environmental conditions.</a> Int J Earth Sci. 103 (7), 1889-1916 (2014).</li><li>Boetius, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+marine+microbial+consortium+apparently+mediating+anaerobic+oxidation+of+methane.">A marine microbial consortium apparently mediating anaerobic oxidation of methane.</a> Nature. 407 (6804), 623-626 (2000).</li><li>Orphan, V. J., House, C. H., Hinrichs, K. -. U., McKeegan, K. D., DeLong, E. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methane-consuming+archaea+revealed+by+directly+coupled+isotopic+and+phylogenetic+analysis.">Methane-consuming archaea revealed by directly coupled isotopic and phylogenetic analysis.</a> Science. 293 (5529), 484-487 (2001).</li><li>J&#248;rgensen, B. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mineralization+of+organic+matter+in+the+seabed+-+the+role+of+sulfate+reduction.">Mineralization of organic matter in the seabed - the role of sulfate reduction.</a> Nature. 296, 643-645 (1982).</li><li>Lin, Z. Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=How+sulfate-driven+anaerobic+oxidation+of+methane+affects+the+sulfur+isotopic+composition+of+pyrite:+A+SIMS+study+from+the+South+China+Sea.">How sulfate-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane affects the sulfur isotopic composition of pyrite: A SIMS study from the South China Sea.</a> Chem Geol. 440, 26-41 (2016).</li><li>J&#248;rgensen, B. B., B&#246;ttcher, M. E., L&#252;schen, H., Neretin, L. N., Volkov, I. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anaerobic+methane+oxidation+and+a+deep+H2S+sink+generate+isotopically+heavy+sulfides+in+Black+Sea+sediments.">Anaerobic methane oxidation and a deep H2S sink generate isotopically heavy sulfides in Black Sea sediments.</a> Geochim Cosmochim Ac. 68 (9), 2095-2118 (2004).</li><li>Borowski, W. S., Rodriguez, N. M., Paull, C. K., Ussler, III, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Are+34S-enriched+authigenic+sulfide+minerals+a+proxy+for+elevated+methane+flux+and+gas+hydrates+in+the+geologic+record?.">Are 34S-enriched authigenic sulfide minerals a proxy for elevated methane flux and gas hydrates in the geologic record?.</a> Mar Petrol Geol. 43, 381-395 (2013).</li><li>Canfield, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isotope+fractionation+by+natural+populations+of+sulfate-reducing+bacteria.">Isotope fractionation by natural populations of sulfate-reducing bacteria.</a> Geochim Cosmochim Ac. 65 (7), 1117-1124 (2001).</li><li>McKibben, M. A., Eldridge, C. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Micron-scale+isotopic+zoning+in+minerals;+a+record+of+large-scale+geologic+processes.">Micron-scale isotopic zoning in minerals; a record of large-scale geologic processes.</a> Mineral Mag. 58A, 587-588 (1994).</li><li>Peevler, J., Fayek, M., Misra, K. C., Riciputi, L. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sulfur+isotope+microanalysis+of+sphalerite+by+SIMS:+constraints+on+the+genesis+of+Mississippi+valley-type+mineralization,+from+the+Mascot-Jefferson+City+district,+East+Tennessee.">Sulfur isotope microanalysis of sphalerite by SIMS: constraints on the genesis of Mississippi valley-type mineralization, from the Mascot-Jefferson City district, East Tennessee.</a> J Geochem Explor. 80 (2-3), 277-296 (2003).</li><li>Ferrini, V., Fayek, M., De Vito, C., Mignardi, S., Pignatti, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Extreme+sulphur+isotope+fractionation+in+the+deep+Cretaceous+biosphere.">Extreme sulphur isotope fractionation in the deep Cretaceous biosphere.</a> J Geol Soc. 167, 1009-1018 (2010).</li><li>Ireland, T. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Charge-mode+electrometer+measurements+of+S-isotopic+compositions+on+SHRIMP-SI.">Charge-mode electrometer measurements of S-isotopic compositions on SHRIMP-SI.</a> Int J Mass Spectrom. 359, 26-37 (2014).</li><li>Pimminger, A., Grasserbauer, M., Schroll, E., Cerny, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microanalysis+in+galena+by+Secondary+Ion+Mass+Spectrometry+for+determination+of+sulfur+isotopes.">Microanalysis in galena by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry for determination of sulfur isotopes.</a> Anal Chem. 56 (3), 407-411 (1984).</li><li>Eldridge, C. S., Compston, W., Williams, I. S., Walshe, J. L., Both, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+situ+microanalysis+for+34S/32S+ratios+using+the+ion+microprobe+SHRIMP.">In situ microanalysis for 34S/32S ratios using the ion microprobe SHRIMP.</a> Int J Mass Spectrom Ion Processes. 76 (1), 65-83 (1987).</li><li>Kozdon, R., Kita, N. T., Huberty, J. M., Fournelle, J. H., Johnson, C. A., Valley, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+situ+sulfur+isotope+analysis+of+sulfide+minerals+by+SIMS:+precision+and+accuracy,+with+application+to+thermometry+of+3.5+Ga+Pilbara+cherts.">In situ sulfur isotope analysis of sulfide minerals by SIMS: precision and accuracy, with application to thermometry of 3.5 Ga Pilbara cherts.</a> Chem Geol. 275 (3-4), 243-253 (2010).</li><li>Farquhar, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pathways+for+Neoarchean+pyrite+formation+constrained+by+mass-independent+sulfur+isotopes.">Pathways for Neoarchean pyrite formation constrained by mass-independent sulfur isotopes.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 110 (44), 17638-17643 (2013).</li><li>Whitehouse, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiple+sulfur+isotope+determination+by+SIMS:+evaluation+of+reference+sulfides+for+&#916;33S+with+observations+and+a+case+study+on+the+determination+of+&#916;36S.">Multiple sulfur isotope determination by SIMS: evaluation of reference sulfides for &#916;33S with observations and a case study on the determination of &#916;36S.</a> Geostand Geoanal Res. 37 (1), 19-33 (2013).</li><li>Chen, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Extreme+variation+of+sulfur+isotopic+compositions+in+pyrite+from+the+Qiuling+sediment-hosted+gold+deposit,+West+Qinling+orogen,+central+China:+an+in+situ+SIMS+study+with+implications+for+the+source+of+sulfur.">Extreme variation of sulfur isotopic compositions in pyrite from the Qiuling sediment-hosted gold deposit, West Qinling orogen, central China: an in situ SIMS study with implications for the source of sulfur.</a> Miner Depos. 50 (6), 643-656 (2015).</li><li>LaFlamme, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+situ+multiple+sulfur+isotope+analysis+by+SIMS+of+pyrite,+chalcopyrite,+pyrrhotite,+and+pentlandite+to+refine+magmatic+ore+genetic+models.">In situ multiple sulfur isotope analysis by SIMS of pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, and pentlandite to refine magmatic ore genetic models.</a> Chem Geol. 444, 1-15 (2016).</li><li>Peckmann, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methane-derived+carbonates+and+authigenic+pyrite+from+the+northwestern+Black+Sea.">Methane-derived carbonates and authigenic pyrite from the northwestern Black Sea.</a> Mar Geol. 177 (1-2), 129-150 (2001).</li><li>Zhang, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Morphology+and+formation+mechanism+of+pyrite+induced+by+the+anaerobic+oxidation+of+methane+from+the+continental+slope+of+the+NE+South+China+Sea.">Morphology and formation mechanism of pyrite induced by the anaerobic oxidation of methane from the continental slope of the NE South China Sea.</a> J Asian Earth Sci. 92, 293-301 (2014).</li><li>Lin, Z. Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stable+isotope+patterns+of+coexisting+pyrite+and+gypsum+indicating+variable+methane+flow+at+a+seep+site+of+the+Shenhu+area,+South+China+Sea.">Stable isotope patterns of coexisting pyrite and gypsum indicating variable methane flow at a seep site of the Shenhu area, South China Sea.</a> J Asian Earth Sci. 123, 213-223 (2016).</li><li>Virtaslo, J. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pyritic+and+baritic+burrows+and+microbial+filaments+in+postglacial+lacustrine+clays+in+the+northern+Baltic+Sea.">Pyritic and baritic burrows and microbial filaments in postglacial lacustrine clays in the northern Baltic Sea.</a> J Geol Soc London. 167 (6), 1185-1198 (2010).</li><li>Kohn, M. J., Riciputi, L. R., Stakes, D., Orange, D. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sulfur+isotope+variability+in+biogenic+pyrite:+Reflections+of+heterogeneous+bacterial+colonization?.">Sulfur isotope variability in biogenic pyrite: Reflections of heterogeneous bacterial colonization?.</a> Am Mineral. 83 (11-12 Pt 2), (1998).</li><li>Canfield, D. E., Raiswell, R., Westrich, J. T., Reaves, C. M., Berner, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+use+of+chromium+reduction+in+the+analysis+of+reduced+inorganic+sulfur+in+sediments+and+shales.">The use of chromium reduction in the analysis of reduced inorganic sulfur in sediments and shales.</a> Chem Geol. 54 (1-2), 149-155 (1986).</li><li>Rice, C. A., Tuttle, M. L., Reynolds, R. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+analysis+of+forms+of+sulfur+in+ancient+sediments+and+sedimentary+rocks:+comments+and+cautions.">The analysis of forms of sulfur in ancient sediments and sedimentary rocks: comments and cautions.</a> Chem Geol. 107 (1-2), 83-95 (1993).</li><li>Kita, N. T., Huberty, J. M., Kozdon, R., Beard, B. L., Valley, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-precision+SIMS+oxygen,+sulfur+and+iron+stable+isotope+analyses+of+geological+materials:+accuracy,+surface+topography+and+crystal+orientation.">High-precision SIMS oxygen, sulfur and iron stable isotope analyses of geological materials: accuracy, surface topography and crystal orientation.</a> Surf Interface Anal. 43 (1-2), 427-431 (2011).</li></ol>

The sulfur isotope analysis of pyrite is a useful approach and can help in identifying the biogeochemical processes that impact pyritization. However, if bulk sulfur isotope analysis is applied, the obtained sulfur isotope signatures commonly represent mixed signals, as sedimentary pyrite aggregates typically consist of multiple, closely interfingering generations. Here, we present a method (i.e., SIMS analysis) for analyzing the in situ sulfur isotopic compositions of various pyrite generations on the ...

Methane emissions from sediments are common along continental margins1,2. However, most of the methane in areas of diffusive seepage is oxidized at the expense of sulfate within the sediments, a process known as SO4-AOM (Equation 1)3,4. The production of sulfide during this process commonly results in the precipitation of pyrite. Also, OSR also drives the formation of pyrite by releasing sulfide (Equation 2)5.
CH4 + SO42&#8211; &#8594; HS&#8211; + HCO3&#8211; + H2O (1)
2CH2O + SO42&#8211; &#8594; H2S + 2HCO3&#8211; (2)
It has been found that authigenic sulfide in the sulfate-methane transition zone (SMTZ) reveals high &#948;34S values, which was suggested to be caused by enhanced SO4-AOM in areas of seepage6,7,8. In contrast, pyrite induced by OSR commonly displays lower &#948;34S values9. However, it is challenging to identify different pyrite generations induced by these processes (i.e., OSR and SO4-AOM) if only a bulk sulfur isotope measurement is used, since the successively formed interfingering pyrite generations are characterized by different isotopic compositions. Therefore, microscale in situ sulfur isotope analysis is required to improve our understanding of the actual mineralizing processes10,11,12. As a versatile technique for in situ isotope analysis, SIMS requires only a few nanograms of sample, which sparked its designation as a nondestructive technique. A primary ion beam sputters the target, causing the emission of secondary ions that are subsequently transported to a mass spectrometer for measuring13. In an early in situ sulfur isotope analysis application of SIMS, Pimminger et al. successfully analyzed the &#948;34S values in galena by using a 10 - 30 &#181;m-diameter beam14. This approach has been increasingly applied to the microanalysis of sulfur isotopic compositions in sulfides, with significant improvements in both measurement precision and resolution11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20. Pyrite with various morphologic attributes and distinct sulfur stable isotope patterns has been reported from seep and non-seep environments21,22,23,24. However, to the best of our knowledge, prior to our recent SIMS study6, only one study used the in situ sulfur isotope analysis of pyrite from seep environments and revealed large sulfur isotope variability in biogenic pyrite25.
In this study, we applied SIMS to analyze the &#948;34S values of different generations of authigenic pyrite from a seepage site in the South China Sea, which allowed for microscale discrimination of OSR- and SO4-AOM-derived pyrite.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="835">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:363px;">secondary ion mass spectroscopy</td>
			<td style="width:128px;">Cameca</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">&#160;IMS-1280</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">&#160;thermal field emission scanning electron microscopy</td>
			<td>Quanta</td>
			<td>Quanta 400F</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">elemental analyser - isotope ratio mass spectrometry</td>
			<td>ThermoFinnigan</td>
			<td colspan="2">ThermoFinnigan Delta Plus</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">binocular microscope</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">reflected light microscope</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss</td>
			<td>3519001617</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">polishing machicine</td>
			<td>Struers</td>
			<td>60210535</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">cutting machicine</td>
			<td>Struers</td>
			<td>50110202</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">carbon/gold coating machicine</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">ethanol</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">acetic acid&#160;</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">zinc acetate solution (3%)&#160;&#160;&#160;</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">HCl solution (25%)</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">1 M CrCl2 solution</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">0.1 M AgNO3 solution</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">V2O5 powder</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">pure nitrogen</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">syringe</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">filter(&#60;0.45 &#181;m)</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">tin cups</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">round bottom flasks</td>
			<td>any</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">epoxy</td>
			<td>Struers</td>
			<td>41000004</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

preparation of authigenic pyrite from methane-bearing sediments for in situ sulfur isotope analysis using sims

Different sulfur isotope compositions of authigenic pyrite typically result from the sulfate-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (SO4-AOM) and organiclastic sulfate reduction (OSR) in marine sediments. However, unravelling the complex pyritization sequence is a challenge because of the coexistence of different sequentially formed pyrite phases. This manuscript describes a sample preparation procedure that enables the use of secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) to obtain in situ &#948;34S values of various pyrite generations. This allows researchers to constrain how SO4-AOM affects pyritization in methane-bearing sediments. SIMS analysis revealed an extreme range in &#948;34S values, spanning from -41.6 to +114.8&#8240;, which is much wider than the range of &#948;34S values obtained by the traditional bulk sulfur isotope analysis of the same samples. Pyrite in the shallow sediment mainly consists of 34S-depleted framboids, suggesting early diagenetic formation by OSR. Deeper in the sediment, more pyrite occurs as overgrowths and euhedral crystals, which display much higher SIMS &#948;34S values than the framboids. Such 34S-enriched pyrite is related to enhanced SO4-AOM at the sulfate-methane transition zone, postdating OSR. High-resolution in situ SIMS sulfur isotope analyses allow for the reconstruction of the pyritization processes, which cannot be resolved by bulk sulfur isotope analysis.

Data Expression - Bulk Sulfur Isotopes:
The bulk sulfur isotope ratio is expressed in relation to the Vienna Canyon Diablo Troilite (V-CDT) standard, and the analytical precision is better than &#177;0.3&#8240;. The sulfur isotope measurements were calibrated with international reference materials: IAEA-S1 (&#948;34S = -0.30&#8240;), IAEA-S2 (&#948;34S = -21.55&#8240;), IAEA-S3 (&#948;34S = -31.4&#8...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Preparation of Authigenic Pyrite from Methane-bearing Sediments for In Situ Sulfur Isotope Analysis Using SIMS at JoVE.com

Preparation of Authigenic Pyrite from Methane-bearing Sediments for In Situ Sulfur Isotope Analysis Using SIMS

Analyses of the sulfur isotopic composition (&#948;34S) of pyrite from methane-bearing sediments have typically focused on bulk samples. Here, we applied secondary ion mass spectroscopy to analyze the &#948;34S values of various pyrite generations to understand the diagenetic history of pyritization.

Preparation of Authigenic Pyrite from Methane-bearing Sediments for In Situ Sulfur Isotope Analysis Using SIMS

Different sulfur isotope compositions of authigenic pyrite typically result from the sulfate-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (SO4-AOM) and ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to analyze the In Situ sulfur isotopic compositions of various pyrite generations by secondary ion mass spectroscopy in order to understand the diagenetic history of pyritization in methane bearing sediments. This method can help identify the biogeochemical processes that impact pyritazation, like organiclastic sulfur reduction and sulfur-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane which can now be resolved by a box of isotopic analyzers. The main advantage of this technique is high-resolution and precision, which allowed us to analyze the sulfur isotopic composition of a pyrite on a micro-scale.Demonstrating the SIMS analyzed procedure will be Qing Yang, a technician from the SIMs laboratory at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry. To begin, clean the surface of a sediment core and collect a set of samples across the entire length using a knife. Pack the wet samples individually in zippered plastic bags, and label them using a marker.When ready to continue, transfer the wet sediment samples into pre-cleaned beakers and place them in an oven at 40 degrees Celsius for 24 hours to dry them out. After drying, separate the sediments into two aliquots, one for the collection of pyrite aggregates and the other for bulk sulfur extraction. Add 400 milliliters of distilled water to soften one aliquot of the sediment for two hours.Transfer the slurry into a 063 millimeter civ and sift the sediment with distilled water so that all fine grains are washed through the civ. Collect the coarse fraction in beakers and dry them in an oven at 40 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. Once dry, place some of the coarse segment fractions on a glass slide and set the slide under a binocular microscope.Turn to the 20x objective and identify the pyrite aggregates. Handpick the identified pyrite aggregates using a needle and pack them individually into zippered plastic bags. Pulverize a second aliquot of dry sediment sample into a fine powder using an agate mortar for further bulk sulfur extraction.Store the powder in zippered plastic bags. Select some representative pyrite tubes from the selected aggregates under a binocular microscope to examine the morphological and textural features of the pyrite aggregates. Stick double-sided tape on a slide, and place the selected pyrite tubes on the tape.Then, place a 25 millimeter diameter mounting tube on the slide to cover all of the pyrite aggregates. Mix 10 milliliters of epoxy resin with 1.3 milliliters of hardener at room temperature and pour the mixing liquid into the mounting tube. Then, place the slide and the mounting tube into a vacuum chamber.Pump the air out of the chamber until the pressure in the chamber is below 0.2 bar so that all the pore spaces of the samples are filled with epoxy. Next, move the slide and the mounting tube out of the chamber and let the epoxy cure at room temperature for 12 hours. Once the epoxy has cured, hand grind the pyrite tubes on a fixed nine micrometer diamond mesh pad until the pyrite grains are exposed.Then, hand polish the pyrite grains to produce a smooth and flat surface. Observe the morphology and the texture of the pyrite under a reflected light microscope at 200x magnification using a three millimeter working distance. Select representative pyrite aggregates with characterized crystal habits from different sediment samples after the petrographic study.And then stick them to double-sided tape. Then, position the samples within five millimeters of the center of a 25 millimeter mount, and add epoxy. After the epoxy has cured, hand grind the disc on a fixed nine micrometer diamond mesh pad to the desired level so that the pyrite grains are exposed.As before, hand polish the epoxy discs to produce a smooth, flat surface successively using five, three, and one micrometer diamond pads. Next, clean the surface of the epoxy disc with deionized water, followed by ethanol. Observe the sample under a reflective light microscope at 200x magnification, and a three millimeter working distance.For greater magnification, gold coat the sample and image using an electron microscope. For SIMS analysis, use a cesium primary ion beam to measure the sulfur isotope ratios of pyrite. Focus the cesium primary ion beam onto a 15 micrometer by 10 micrometer spot at an energy of 10 kilobolts, with a 2.5 nanoamp current.The identification of pyrite aggregates should be large enough to avoid missing a optimum pyrogenetic faces. Besides, it's better to analyze a sufficient number of spots to ensure the obtained isotopes in nature are representative. Use three off-axis faraday cups for the simultaneous measurement of sulfur-32, sulfur-33, and sulfur-34 in multi-collector mode with an entrance slit width of 60 micrometers and an exit slip width of 500 micrometers on each the three faraday cup detectors.Carry out the sulfur isotope analyses and automated sequences with each analysis consisting of 30 seconds of pre-sputtering, 60 seconds of secondary ion automated centering, and 160 seconds of data acquisition and sulfur isotope signal integration. Analyze Sonora pyrite as a standard at regular intervals between every five to six samples. Most pyrite aggregates handpicked from the sediment are black in color and tubular in shape varying from three to eight millimeters in length, and 0.2 to 0.6 millimeters in diameter.These longitudinal cross-sections of the pyrite tubes show typical hollow interiors and different wall thicknesses. When analyzed by secondary ion mass spectrometry, the pyrite found in shallow zones is mainly framboidal and depleted in sulfur-34. Meanwhile, overgrowths and euhedral crystals enriched in sulfure-34 are abundant in deeper zones.The amount of chromium reducible sulfur content ranges from zero weight percent to 0.98 weight percent in the sample shown here. Below 50 centimeters below sea-floor, the sample shows minor fluctuations around the main value of 0.44 weight percent. And two distinct peaks of 0.98 weight percent at 490 centimeters below sea-floor and 0.78 weight percent that 590 centimeters below sea-floor are present.The sulfur isotopic composition of three types of pyrite in the delta sulfur-34 values of chromium reducible sulfur content and handpicked pyrite aggregates are shown here. The shaded portion of the graph refers to the area affected by the sulfate-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane. The dashed line separates a zone to the left, suggested to be dominated by organiclastic sulfate reduction and the zone to the right suggested to be dominated by the sulfate driven anaerobic oxidation of methane.After watching this video, you may have a good understanding of how to prepare orthogenic pyrites from a thin bearing sediments for institute sulfur isotope analysis using SIMS. Following this procedure, only a few pyrite material samples are needed for sulfur isotope analysis, and you can obtain the results in a few minutes, which is much more effective than the traditional bulk sulfur isotope analysis. This approach can serve as a sensitive tool for reconstructing the pyrite elation sequences that develop during diagenesis in modern marine sediments.What's more, it should also target ancient sedimentary sequences aiming to result of different biogeochemical processes on mineral formation when is the data is lacking.

preparation-authigenic-pyrite-from-methane-bearing-sediments-for-situ

Research

JoVE Journal

Environment

7.5K visualizações.  Sun Yat-sen University. The overall goal of this procedure is to analyze the In Situ sulfur isotopic compositions of various pyrite generations by secondary ion mass spectroscopy in order to understand the diagenetic history of pyritization in methane bearing sediments. This method can help identify the biogeochemical processes that impact pyritazation, like organiclastic sulfur reduction and sulfur-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane which can now be resolved by a box of isotopic analyzers. The main advantage of ...