Major-ion bulk deposition around an active volcano (Mt. Etna, Italy)

Abstract

Bulk atmospheric deposition of major cations (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and anions (Cl, F, SO 4 ) were measured at 15 sites around an active volcano, Mount Etna, from 2001 to 2003. Their composition indicates several natural sources, among which deposition of plume-derived volcanogenic gas compounds is prevalent for F, Cl and S. Plume-derived acidic compounds are also responsible for the prevailing acidic composition of the samples collected on the summit of the volcano (pH in the 2.45-5.57 range). Cation species have complex origin, including deposition of plume volcanogenic ash and aerosols and soil-dust wind re-suspension of either volcanic or carbonate sedimentary rocks.Variation of the deposition rates during the March 2001-March 2003 period, coupled with previous measurements from 1997 to (Appl Geochem 16:985-1000, were compared with the variation of SO 2 flux, volcanic activity and rainfall. The deposition rate was mainly controlled by rainfall. Commonly, about 0.1-0.9% of HF, HCl and SO 2 emitted by the summit crater's plume were deposited around the volcano. We estimate that ∼2 Gg of volcanogenic sulphur were deposited over the Etnean area during the 2002-2003 flank eruption, at an average rate of ∼24 Mg day −1 which is two orders of magnitude higher than that typical of quiescent degassing phases.

Nitrate, sulphate and chloride contents in public drinking water supplies in Sicily, Italy

“…Both the climate and geology of the central part of Sicily also explain why the sulphate contents of water are highest there (Fig. 5c) Aiuppa et al 2006).…”

“…As stated in "Binary correlation plots", this depends on the intense water-rock interaction within the aquifers of the volcano being enhanced by the dissolution of huge quantities of magmatic carbon dioxide (Brusca et al 2001). Furthermore, a significant proportion of the chloride dissolved in the Etnean aquifers derives from the open-conduit degassing of the volcano mediated by meteoric recharge (Aiuppa et al 2006). Intermediate-to-high values of electric conductivity and chloride content were found also in the semi-arid central part of the island.…”

Rapid oxidation of mercury (Hg) at volcanic vents: Insights from high temperature thermodynamic models of Mt Etna's emissions

“…Aiuppa et al, 2004;Spilliaert et al, 2006). Other studies have focused on Etna's influence on metals in groundwater (e.g., Giammanco et al, 1998;Aiuppa et al, 2000), rainwater (e.g., Aiuppa et al, 2006), and biological systems (e.g., Barghigiani et al, 1988;Notcutt and Davies, 1989;Monna et al, 1999;Watt et al, 2007;Martin et al, 2009a;Quayle et al, 2010). Few studies of Etna's metal emissions report data on Hg despite the flux (5.4 Mg yr −1 ; Bagnato et al, 2007) being comparable to that of other "trace" metals (e.g., As, Cd, Tl; Table 1).…”

Selenium mobilization in soils due to volcanic derived acid rain: An example from Mt Etna volcano, Sicily

“…8). Firstly, the interaction of rain with the volcanic plume results in sulphate rich rain close to the crater, but the SO 4 − concentration decreases with increasing distances (Aiuppa et al, 2006). Secondly, the soils close to the crater release high levels of Se during acid rain events, which is related to the reactive dissolution Al phases present in the soil.…”

“…For example, concentrations in Etnean rainwater have been reported to be up to 13 μg/kg (Calabrese, 2009;Calabrese et al, submitted; Table 1). Additionally, this interaction between volcanic gases and atmospheric water causes huge variations in rainwater pH (from 2 to 7), both in space (km scale) and time (weeks-months; Aiuppa et al, 2006). However, the environmental impact of this Se flux from the volcano towards the aquifer strongly depends on processes in the soils.…”