0000000001179681
AUTHOR
L Brusca
The fluids’ geochemistry along the "Sperchios Basin - Northern Evoikos Gulf" Graben, a geodynamically complex area of Central Greece
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF MT. ETNA’S VOLCANIC EMISSIONS: TRACE METAL BULK-DEPOSITION
CHEMICAL AND MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ETNEAN VOLCANIC EMISSIONS USING ACTIVE BIOMONITORING TEC HNIQUE (MOSS-BAGS)
New insight into halogen release from experimental studies on BrO/Br ratios in volcanic plumes
A geochemical traverse along the “Sperchios Basin e Evoikos Gulf” graben (Central Greece): Origin and evolution of the emitted fluids
The studied area is a 130 km long fast spreading graben in Central Greece. Its complex geodynamical setting includes both the presence of a subduction slab at depth responsible for the recent (Quaternary) volcanic activity in the area and the western termination of a tectonic lineament of regional importance (the North-Anatolian fault). A high geothermal gradient is made evident by the presence of many thermal springs with temperatures from 19 to 82 C, that discharge along the normal faults bordering the graben. In the period 2004e2012, 58 gas and 69 water samples were collected and their chemical and isotopic analysis revealed a wide range of compositions. Two main groups of thermal waters…
Origin and evolution of the fluids emitted along the “Sperchios Basin – Evoikos Gulf” Graben (Central Greece)
A biomonitoring study using endemic plants for the evaluation of volcanogenic deposition on Mt. Etna (Italy)
8. A biomonitoring survey using leaves of tree (Betulla aethnensis, Pinus nigra and Populus tremula) and two endemic species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis) above treeline level, was performed on Mt. Etna, in order to evaluate the dispersion and the impact of volcanic emissions. Samples of leaves were collected in summer 2008 from 30 sites in the upper part of the volcano (800-3000 m a.s.l). Acid digestion of samples was carried out with a microwave oven, and 44 elements were analyzed by using plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS and ICP-OES). The highest concentrations of all investigated elements were found in the samples collected closest to the degassing craters, and in the downwind se…
The use of moss-bags technique to volcanic aerosols investigation on Mt. Etna (Italy)
Biomonitoring of volcanogenic trace elements using two endemic species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis) on Mt. Etna.
A biomonitoring survey, above treeline level, using two endemic species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis) was performed on Mt. Etna, in order to evaluate the dispersion and the impact of volcanic emissions. Samples of leaves were collected in summer 2008 from 30 sites in the upper part of the volcano (1500-3000 m a.s.l). Acid digestion of samples was carried out with a microwave oven, and 44 elements were analysed by using plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS and ICP-OES). The highest concentrations of all investigated elements were found in the samples collected closest to the degassing craters, and in the downwind sector, confirming that the eastern flank of Mt. Etna is the most impacted b…
Are the Salinelle mud volcanoes threatening human health or are anthropogenic activities threatening the Salinelle mud volcanoes?
Passive samplers were used to measure the atmospheric concentrations of SO2 naturally emitted at three volcanoes in Italy (Etna, Vulcano and Stromboli) and of H2S naturally emitted at three volcanic/geothermal areas in Greece (Milos, Santorini and Nisyros). The measured concentrations and dispersion patterns varied with the strength of the source (open conduits or fumaroles), the meteorological conditions and the area topography. At Etna, Vulcano and Stromboli, SO2 concentrations reach values that are dangerous to people affected by bronchial asthma or lung diseases (>1000 μg m−3). H2S values measured at Nisyros also exceed the limit considered safe for the same group of people (>3000 μg m−…
Environmental impact of Mt. Etna’s degassing: volcanogenic trace elements bioaccumulation in two endemic plant species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis)
A biomonitoring survey, above tree line level, using two endemic species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis)was performed on Mt. Etna, in order to evaluate the dispersion and the impact of volcanic atmospheric emissions. Samples of leaves were collected in summer 2008 from 30 sites in the upper part of the volcano (1500-3000 m a.s.l). Acid digestion of samples was carried out with a microwave oven, and 44 elements were analyzed by using plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS and ICP-OES). The highest concentrations of all investigated elements were found in the samples collected closest to the degassing craters, and in the downwind sector, confirming that the eastern flank of Mt. Etna is the mos…
Environmental impact of volcanic emissions at Nyiragongo (DRC)
The large amount of trace elements emitted from volcanoes has a strong impact on the close surrounding areas. Nyiragongo Volcano (Democratic Republic of Congo) belongs to the Virunga volcanic chain and is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa. It is characterized by the presence of an active and permanent lava lake with a persistent degassing activity. During a field trip in October-November 2014, we investigated the impact of the volcanogenic deposition in the surrounding of the crater by using different sampling techniques. Rain-gauges were used to collect atmospheric bulk deposition. Active and passive biomonitoring techniques (moss-bags and leaves of endemic plants – Senecio spp. a…
Active Moss biomonitoring of mercury in the mine-polluted area of Mt. Amiata (Central Italy)
In the winter 2013, mercury concentrations in air from the mine-polluted area of Mt. Amiata (1738 m a.s.l.), in southern Tuscany (Central Italy), were measured by active moss biomonitoring. This area is part of the geologic anomaly of Hg in the Mediterranean basin, which contains about 65 % of the world’s cinnabar (HgS). Mt. Amiata covers some 400 km2 and is drained by several rivers. Esploitation activity at Abbadia S. Salvatore, in the SE sector of the mountain, sprang up during the 19th century as one of the largest mercury mining and smelting plants in Europe, after those of Almaden Spain. In this area, Sphagnum moss bags were exposed for about two months, from October to December 2013.…
The use of moss-bags technique for volcanic aerosols investigation on Mt. Etna (Italy)
Explosive eruptions and volcanic passive degassing inject large quantities of gas and particles into the atmosphere that are ultimately deposited at the Earth’s surface through wet or dry deposition processes, affecting the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the biosphere. Mount Etna (Italy) is one of the most prodigious and persistent sources of gases and particles to the troposphere. Volcanic emissions were studied at Etna volcano by using moss-bags technique. Mosses (Sphagnum species) were exposed around the volcano at different distances from the active vents to evaluate the impact of its emissions into the atmosphere and in the local surrounding. The results confirmed the huge amount of s…
A literature review and new data of trace metals fluxes from worldwide active volcanoes
Plume composition and volatile flux from Nyamulagira volcano
Nyamulagira, in the Virunga volcanic province (VVP), Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa. The volcano is located about 25 km north-northwest of Lake Kivu in the Western Branch of the East African Rift System (EARS). The activity is characterized by frequent eruptions (on average, one eruption every 2–4 years) which occur both from the summit crater and from the flanks (31 flank eruptions over the last 110 years). Due to the peculiar low viscosity of its lava and its location in the floor of the rift, Nyamulagira morphology is characterized by a wide lava field that covers over 1100 km2 and contains more than 100 flank cones. Indeed, Nyamulagira is a S…
Impact of Volcanic Emissions on Trace Elements Contents Measured in Endemic Plants at Mt. Etna (Italy)
Geochemical mapping of magmatic gas-water-rock interactions in the aquifer of Mount Etna volcano
Intercomparison of gas emissions from the lava lakes of Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira, DR Congo
From 25th of October to 5th of November 2014 field surveys were carried out at Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes, DR Congo. These two volcanoes belong to the eight volcanoes in the Virunga volcanic chain. They have an altitude of about 3470 m.a.s.l. and 3060 m.a.s.l., respectively. The craters of the two volcanoes lie within a distance of less than 15 km and both have a diameter of about 1000 m and 2000 m, respectively showing a similar inner geometry containing several terraces inside. The lava lake of Nyamulagira is still under formation while Nyiragongo’s lava lake is known since more than 100 years with short interruptions after the eruptions in 1977 and 2002. However, also Nyamulagi…
Fumarolic alteration products at Sousaki (Greece) : occurrence and environmental impact
Fumarolic alteration crusts and efflorescences have been sampled at the Sousaki solfataric field. Samples have been analysed for mineralogical (XRD) and chemical composition (HNO3 digestion and leaching with distilled water). Results show that mineralogical and chemical compositions (major, minor and trace metals) are controlled by microenvironmental conditions. The sample collected in the anoxic part of a cave is composed almost exclusively by native sulfur. The samples collected in the oxidizing part of the cave and outside in relatively sheltered position are mainly composed by very soluble sulfates. Chemical composition evidence strong enrichments in Al, Ca, Cr, Fe, Mg and Ni which are …
Preliminary data on trace element emissions from Nyiragongo volcano (DR Congo)
Tellurium in active volcanic environments: Preliminary results
The cycle of major and trace elements in a volcanic environment
Mercury’s Distribution in the Atmosphere, Soils and Plants of the Active Hydrothermal Area of Nisyros (Greece).
Intense magmatic gas leakage through the lake of Copahue volcano.
Experimental studies on BrO/Br ratios at Stromboli, Etna, Masaya, Gorely and Nyiragongo
THE IMPACT OF VOLCANIC EMISSIONS ON ETNA’S SNOW COVER
Plume composition changes during the birth of a new lava lake - Nyamulagira volcano, DR Congo
Nyamulagira, in the Virunga Volcanic Province (VVP), Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa. The volcano is located about 25 km north-northwest of Lake Kivu in the Western Branch of the East African Rift System (EARS) with a distance of only 15 km to Nyiragongo, which is well known for its decades-old active lava lake. Nyamulagira is a shield volcano with a 3058 m high and 2000 m wide summit caldera. The volcano is characterized by frequent eruptions, which occur both from the summit crater and from the flanks (31 flank eruptions over the last 110 years). Due to the low viscosity lava, although significantly higher than the one of Nyiragongo, wide lava f…