Sulphur isotope mass-independent fractionation observed in comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko by Rosetta/ROSINA

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Authors
Calmonte, U.
Altwegg, K.
Balsiger, H.
Berthelier, J.-J.
Bieler, A.
De Keyser, J.
Fiethe, B.
Fuselier, S.A.
Gasc, S.
Gombosi, T.I.
Le Roy, L.
Rubin, M.
Sémon, T.
Tzou, C.-Y.
Wampfler, S.F.
Discipline
Physical sciences
Subject
comets
67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko
Audience
Scientific
Date
2017Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
The knowledge about sulphur isotopic fractionation in volatile cometary species is limited as only measurements in five comets have been done and only for 34S/32S. The lack of information about the fractionation of 33S/32S makes it impossible to compare them with what is known from refractories. We present results of 34S/32S and for the first time 33S/32S isotopic ratio in H2S, OCS, and CS2 in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. Observations used for this study were performed with Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis/Double Focusing Mass Spectrometer during 2014 October and 2016 May. Bulk isotopic 33S/32S and 34S/32S ratios derived from these three species yield δ33S = (−302 ± 29)‰ and δ34S = (−41 ± 17)‰, respectively. The observed isotopic fractionation is significantly different from the assumed Solar system standard [Vienna-Canyon Diablo Troilite (V-CDT)] and all other reported values for Solar system objects, except other comets. Furthermore, we show that neither mass-dependent nor mass-independent fractionation due to photodissociation as it has been observed in recent laboratory studies can be the cause of the significant depletion compared to Solar system standard. In addition, we conclude that there seems to be an intrinsic difference in sulphur isotopic fractionation in cometary volatiles and refractories while the difference between molecules is most likely due to different chemical pathways. The significant fractionation of sulphur isotopes together with a high D2O/HDO versus HDO/H2O and non-solar isotopic ratio for xenon as well as for Si point towards a non-homogeneously mixed protosolar nebula.
Citation
Calmonte, U.; Altwegg, K.; Balsiger, H.; Berthelier, J.-J.; Bieler, A.; De Keyser, J.; Fiethe, B.; Fuselier, S.A.; Gasc, S.; Gombosi, T.I.; Le Roy, L.; Rubin, M.; Sémon, T.; Tzou, C.-Y.; Wampfler, S.F. (2017). Sulphur isotope mass-independent fractionation observed in comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko by Rosetta/ROSINA. , Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 469, Issue Suppl. 2, S787-S803, DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stx2534.Identifiers
Type
Article
Peer-Review
Yes
Language
eng