Investigating the Smell of Strontium Chloride

[mrjeffy321]

I was preparing a solution of Strontium Chloride by reacting Strontium Carbonate powder with some dilute Hydrochloric acid.
As expected, the acid reacted with the SrCO3 and began to fizzle (Carbon Dioxide forming in a similar reaction to vinegar and baking soda). I began to detect a slight odor in the air and, upon further inspection, it was coming from the SrCO3 + HCl reaction taking place. I wafted it a bit, it smelled a little like it had some Sulfur in it and it had the “rotten egg” smell. The only gas/gasses being produced in the reaction was/were colorless.

What could have caused this Sulfury odor? Does it have something to do with the Strontium? Or perhaps is it an impurity in the SrCO3?

 

[Cesium]

I think you probably have a sulfur impurity. This seller, http://www.atomixinc.com/strontiumcarbonate.htm , lists sulfur as a possible impurity. I get a strong sulfur smell when I add acids to iron sources because of sulfur impurities. You only need a little bit of H2S in order to smell it- 0.0047 ppm is the threshold for smelling it.

 

[mrjeffy321]

Thats what I thought, its probably impurities.
It sure was strange getting that odor from a Strontium compound.