Search results for "Solfatara"

Hydrothermal fluid flow structures at Solfatara volcano, Somma-Vesuvius volcanic complex and Mt. Etna

2016

Solfatara (Campi Flegrei):We present the first detailed 3-D Resistivity model of the Solfatara-Pisciarelli area, obtained from numerousERT surveys during the “MED-SUV” Project. This inversion was performed by taking into account 44 000ERT data points, as well as surface e-m resistivity measurements and the magneto-tellurics model from A.Siniscalchi et al. respectively as surface and bottom boundary conditions. The 3-D resistivity structure wellmatches with the CO2 flux, temperature and self-potential variations at the crater surface. This model clearlyhighlights the main geological units of the area (Monte Olibano, Solfatara crypto-dome, layers of eruptivedeposits), and the structures of hy…

A new geochemical approach to estimate the distribution of air pollutants from natural and anthropogenic sources: examples from Solfatara Crater (Cam…

2015

Volcanic and geothermal systems significantly contribute to the input of volatile contaminants, such as mercury and hydrogen sulfide, into the atmosphere. Mercury has a strong environmental impact. In the atmosphere the prevalent elemental form is Hg0 (~98 %), whose main physical-chemical features are: high volatility, low solubility and chemical inertness. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), one of the most abundant gas compounds in volcanic fluids, is highly poisoning and corrosive and unpleasantly smells of rotten eggs. Measurements of Hg0 and H2S concentrations in air are commonly performed by means of passive samplers. However, real-time measurements, coupled with monitoring of local atmospheric c…

Real-Time Measurements of Hg0 and H2S at Solfatara Crater (Campi Flegrei, Southern Italy): an Innovative Approach to Investigate the Distribution of …

2014

Measurements of Hg0 (and H2S) at the Solfatara Crater (Southern Italy): Estimating the atmospheric distribution with a real-time approach

2015

Volcanic and geothermal areas are important emitters of natural gas compounds into the atmosphere, which can be of concern when discharging close to densely, populated sites. Mercury has a strong environmental impact, its organic and inorganic complexes being toxic. The dominant form of Hg in the atmosphere is gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), which has high volatility and residence time of 1-2 years. Volcanic degassing accounts for a significant part of the natural mercury emissions. No mercury limits or target values in ambient air are present in the EU legislations, whereas US-EPA and ATSDR impose 300 and 200 ng/m3, respectively, as a limit for chronic exposure. WHO has proposed the annua…

The Hydrothermal System of Solfatara Crater (Campi Flegrei, Italy) Inferred From Machine Learning Algorithms

2019

Two machine learning algorithms were applied to three multivariate datasets acquired at Solfatara volcano. Our aim was to find an unbiased and coherent synthesis among the large amount of data acquired within the crater and along two orthogonal vertical NNE- and WNW-trending cross-sections. The first algorithm includes a new approach for a soft K-means clustering based on the use of the silhouette index to control the color palette of the clusters. The second algorithm which uses the self-organizing maps incorporates an alternative method for choosing the number of nodes of the neural network which aims to avoid the need for downstream clustering of the results of the classification. Both m…

A new approach for the measurement of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) and H2S in air from anthropogenic and natural sources: Examples from Mt. Amiata…

2017

Real-time measurements of GEM and H2S discharged from natural and anthropogenic sources are a valuable tool to investigate the dispersion dynamics of these contaminants in air. In this study, a new approach to measure GEM and H2S concentrations in air, carried out by coupling a portable Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometer with high frequency modulation of light polarization (Lumex RA-915M) and a pulsed fluorescence gas analyzer (Thermo Scientific Model 450i), was applied to two distinct areas: (i) in the surroundings of Piancastagnaio (Siena, Central Italy), located in the eastern flanks of Mt. Amiata (a 200,000Â years old volcano), where three geothermal plants are operating and whose ex…

First combined flux chamber survey of mercury and CO2 emissions from soil diffuse degassing at Solfatara of Pozzuoli crater, Campi Flegrei (Italy): M…

2014

Abstract There have been limited studies to date targeting gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) flux from soil emission in enriched volcanic substrates and its relation with CO 2 release and tectonic structures. In order to evaluate and understand the processes of soil–air exchanges involved at Solfatara of Pozzuoli volcano, the most active zone of Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy), an intensive field measurement survey has been achieved in September 2013 by using high-time resolution techniques. Soil–air exchange fluxes of GEM and CO 2 have been measured simultaneously at 116 points, widely distributed within the crater. Quantification of gas flux has been assessed by using field accumulation chamb…

Measurements of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) in diffuse soil emission using the static closed-chamber method

2015

Measurements aimed to evaluate the contribution of natural and anthropogenic gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) to the atmosphere are critical for monitoring and mitigating the impact of this highly toxic air contaminant. Notwithstanding, the amounts of GEM originating from different sources are difficult to be estimated, since specific protocols dictating the most appropriate sampling and analytical techniques are lacking. This study was aimed to test a methodological approach enables to measure GEM released through diffuse degassing from the soil, a mechanism that in volcanic and geothermal areas significantly contributes to the discharge of geogenic fluids to the atmosphere. A static closed…