Determination of total sulfur in soils and plants by an automated dry combustion method

Determination of total sulfur in environmental samples can be accomplished using automated dry combustion techniques. The analytical performance of an elemental analyzer (CE Instruments) was compared with a method involving d ry ashing followed by ion chromatographic detection of sulfate (IC). Sample s included certified reference materials, confirmation materials with a kno wn content of sulfur, and several soils and plants. There was a close agree ment between both methods. Superior accuracy, precision and detection limit s were obtained using the dry combustion method. Current results suggest th at the automated dry combustion technique has developed into an adequate me thod for the determination of the relatively low total sulfur contents comm only encountered in soils and plants.