Observed in-plume gaseous elemental mercury depletion suggests significant mercury scavenging by volcanic aerosols

Koenig, Alkuin M.; Magand, Olivier; Rose, Clemence; Di Muro, Andrea; Miyazaki, Yuzo; Colomb, Aurelie; Rissanen, Matti; Lee, Christopher F.; Koenig, Theodore K.; Volkamer, Rainer; Brioude, Jerome; Verreyken, Bert; Roberts, Tjarda; Edwards, Brock A.; Sellegri, Karine; Arellano, Santiago; Kowalski, Philippe; Aiuppa, Alessandro; Sonke, Jeroen E.; Dommergue, Aurélien

doi:10.1039/d3ea00063j

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 115 publications

(191 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In contrast, a large proportion of near‐surface releases from passive degassing deposit close to the source, particularly when Hg is emitted in oxidized forms. Additional constraints on factors controlling the lifetime of Hg in volcanic plumes may be gained though mechanistic studies on Hg sorption and removal by sulfate‐rich volcanic ash (Koenig et al., 2023).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Volcanic Emissions on the Global Biogeochemical Mercury Cycle: Insights From Satellite Observations and Chemical Transport Modeling

Geyman,

Thackray,

Jacob

et al. 2023

Geophysical Research Letters

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Volcanism is the largest natural source of mercury (Hg) to the biosphere. However, past Hg emission estimates have varied by three orders of magnitude. Here, we present an updated central estimate and interquartile range (232 Mg a−1; IQR: 170–336 Mg a−1) for modern volcanic Hg emissions based on advances in satellite remote sensing of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and an improved method for considering uncertainty in Hg:SO2 emissions ratios. Atmospheric modeling shows the influence of volcanic Hg on surface atmospheric concentrations in the extratropical Northern Hemisphere is 1.8 times higher than in the Southern Hemisphere. Spatiotemporal variability in volcanic Hg emissions may obscure atmospheric trends forced by anthropogenic emissions at some locations. This should be considered when selecting monitoring sites to inform global regulatory actions. Volcanic emission estimates from this work suggest the pre‐anthropogenic global atmospheric Hg reservoir was 580 Mg, 7‐fold lower than in 2015 (4,000 Mg).

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Volcanic Emissions on the Global Biogeochemical Mercury Cycle: Insights From Satellite Observations and Chemical Transport Modeling

Geyman,

Thackray,

Jacob

et al. 2023

Geophysical Research Letters

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Tibetan Peat Records Global Major Explosive Volcanic Eruptions in the Holocene

Peng,

Enrico,

Zeng

et al. 2024

JGR Atmospheres

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Major explosive volcanic eruptions were important triggers of abrupt climate changes during the Holocene and crucial sources of Hg to the atmosphere, yet there remains limited understanding regarding the long‐range transportation of this volcanic Hg and its imprint in natural archives. Here, we present a reconstruction of Holocene global volcanism based on the anomalies in Hg concentrations, accumulation fluxes, and Hg/C ratios in three high‐resolution peat profiles spanning Eurasia. Our reconstruction reveals that the two Tibetan peat profiles recorded 33 major explosive volcanic eruptions (with 11 eruptions being synchronously detected), which correspond with a French Pyrenees peat record and sulfate anomalies in polar ice cores. Additionally, the major explosive volcanic eruptions recorded in the TP peat profiles coincided with abrupt decreases in solar irradiance during the Holocene, suggesting these eruptions might have had a greater global climate impact. Our results suggest the atmospheric transport of volcanic Hg within the Northern Hemisphere and underscore the significant role played by major explosive volcanic eruptions in precipitating abrupt global climate and environmental changes during the Holocene. This study has implications for deciphering the configuration of volcanic eruption seasons, locations, and magnitudes during the Holocene and aligning the chronology of peat deposits with ice cores.

show abstract

Observed in-plume gaseous elemental mercury depletion suggests significant mercury scavenging by volcanic aerosols

Abstract: Terrestrial volcanism is known to emit mercury (Hg) into the atmosphere. However, despite many years of investigation, its net impact on the atmospheric Hg budget remains insufficiently constrained, in part...

Cited by 2 publications

References 115 publications

Impacts of Volcanic Emissions on the Global Biogeochemical Mercury Cycle: Insights From Satellite Observations and Chemical Transport Modeling

Impacts of Volcanic Emissions on the Global Biogeochemical Mercury Cycle: Insights From Satellite Observations and Chemical Transport Modeling

Tibetan Peat Records Global Major Explosive Volcanic Eruptions in the Holocene

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About