Volcanic plumes as a new source of Bromine Monoxide
Abstract
Ground - based MAX-DOAS using scattered sunlight was applied to identify BrO for the first time in volcanic plumes. Bromine monoxide (BrO) radicals were identified and measured in the plume of Soufrigrave{e}re Hills Volcano on Montserrat during a field experiment in May 2002. BrO emissions from volcanoes are a new and probably not negligible source for the global budget. Slant column densities (SCD) of up to 2\cdot1015 molecules/cm^2 were observed. The simultaneously measured Sulphur dioxide (SO_2) emissions were well correlated to BrO. From the MAX-DOAS scans across the plume it was also possible to calculate the approximate dimensions of the volcanic plume. From the slant column densities and the diameter concentrations and mixing ratios were derived. Peak values reached 1 ppb for BrO and 1 ppm for SO_2, respectively. Using meteorological data source strengths for bromine and sulfur are calculated. Halogen chemistry in the plume will be discussed as well as the possibly significant effects for tropospheric and stratospheric chemistry.
- Publication:
-
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly
- Pub Date:
- April 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003EAEJA....11549B