Ultraviolet absorption cross sections of carbonyl sulfide isotopologues (OCS)-S-32, (OCS)-S-33, (OCS)-S-34 and (OCS)-C-13: isotopic fractionation in photolysis and atmospheric implications

Abstract

We report measurements of the ultraviolet absorption cross sections of (OCS)-S-32, (OCS)-S-33, (OCS)-S-34 and (OCS)-C-13 from 195 to 260 nm. The OCS isotopologues were synthesized from isotopically-enriched elemental sulfur by reaction with carbon monoxide. The measured cross section of (OCS)-S-32 is consistent with literature spectra recorded using natural abundance samples. Relative to the spectrum of the most abundant isotopologue, substitution of heavier rare isotopes has two effects. First, as predicted by the reflection principle, the Gaussian-based absorption envelope becomes slightly narrower and blue-shifted. Second, as predicted by Franck-Condon considerations, the weak vibrational structure is red-shifted. Sulfur isotopic fractionation constants ((33)epsilon, (34)epsilon) as a function of wavelength are not highly structured, and tend to be close to zero on average on the high energy side and negative on the low energy side. The integrated photolysis rate of each isotopologue at 20 km, the approximate altitude at which most OCS photolysis occurs, was calculated. Sulfur isotopic fractionation constants at 20 km altitude are (-3.7 +/- 4.5)parts per thousand and (1.1 +/- 4.2)parts per thousand for (33)epsilon and (34)epsilon, respectively, which is inconsistent with the previously estimated large fractionation of over 73 parts per thousand in (34)epsilon. This demonstrates that OCS photolysis does not produce sulfur isotopic fractionation of more than ca. 5 parts per thousand, suggesting OCS may indeed be a significant source of background stratospheric sulfate aerosols. Finally, the predicted isotopic fractionation constant for S-33 excess (E-33) in OCS photolysis is (-4.2 +/- 6.6)parts per thousand, and thus photolysis of OCS is not expected to be the source of the non-mass-dependent signature observed in modern and Archaean samples.