Determination of elemental sulphur in soils

Elemental sulphur was extracted from soil with chloroform and the sulphur was reduced to hydrogen sulphide by iron powder in the presence of hydrochloric acid, acetone and chloroform. The hydrogen sulphide was transferred in a stream of nitrogen to sodium hydroxide solution and determined by titration with mercuric chloride using dithizone as an indicator. The reduction technique was not specific to elemental sulphur but soils appeared to contain few compounds which were soluble in chloroform and which were also reduced. Wet soils could be extracted without preliminary drying. The analysis is rapid and suitable to routine application.