Aerosol chemistry of emissions from three contrasting volcanoes in Italy
Abstract
Volcanoes constitute an important source of aerosol. Here we report the size-resolved compositions of major water-soluble ions in particles collected in near-source emissions from three contrasting volcanoes (Solfatara, Vulcano and Stromboli, in Italy). Concentrations of soluble SO42-, Cl-, F-, NO3-, H+, K+, Na+, NH4+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ were determined in 11 particle size bins from 0.069 to >25.5 μm in diameter. Soluble ions were most concentrated in the emissions from Solfatara and Stromboli. At Solfatara the major ions were NH4+ and Cl-, tightly correlated in ∼0.8-1.5 μm diameter particles, strongly suggesting speciation as NH4Cl. At Stromboli enhanced levels of SO42-, H+, Na+, K+ and NH4+ were present in ∼0.5-1.5 μm diameter particles. Near-source soluble sulphate was observed in the plumes from Stromboli and Vulcano, with that from Stromboli in much higher concentration (0.94-2.14 compared with 0.07-0.13 μmol m-3). Comparing SO42- measurements from Vulcano to those from other volcanic systems suggests that near-source sulphate aerosol emissions scale with SO2 and contribute ∼0.03-0.05 Tg yr-1 of sulphur to the atmosphere. Simple calculations suggest that all the particles containing these soluble ions will act as cloud condensation nuclei at typical atmospheric supersaturations.
- Publication:
-
Atmospheric Environment
- Pub Date:
- October 2004
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2004.06.017
- Bibcode:
- 2004AtmEn..38.5637M
- Keywords:
-
- Sulfate;
- Size distribution;
- Primary particles;
- Solfatara;
- Vulcano;
- Stromboli