 |
| Titel |
Volcanic Plume Chemistry: Models, Observations and Impacts |
| VerfasserIn |
Tjarda Roberts, Robert Martin, Clive Oppenheimer  , Paul Griffiths, Christine Braban, Tony Cox, Rod Jones, Adam Durant, Peter Kelly |
| Konferenz |
EGU General Assembly 2010
|
| Medientyp |
Artikel
|
| Sprache |
Englisch
|
| Digitales Dokument |
PDF |
| Erschienen |
In: GRA - Volume 12 (2010) |
| Datensatznummer |
250040236
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Zusammenfassung |
| Volcanic plumes are highly chemically reactive; both in the hot, near-vent plume, and also at ambient temperatures in the downwind plume, as the volcanic gases and aerosol disperse into the background atmosphere.
In particular, DOAS (Differential Optical Absortpion Spectroscopy) observations have identified BrO (Bromine Monoxide) in several volcanic plumes degassing into the troposphere. These observations are explained by rapid in-plume autocatalytic BrO-chemistry that occurs whilst the plume disperses, enabling oxidants such as ozone from background air to mix with the acid gases and aerosol. Computer modelling tools have recently been developed to interpret the observed BrO and predict that substantial ozone depletion occurs downwind. Alongside these modelling developments, advances in in-situ and remote sensing techniques have also improved our observational understanding of volcanic plumes.
We present simulations using the model, PlumeChem, that predict the spatial distribution of gases in volcanic plumes, including formation of reactive halogens BrO, ClO and OClO that are enhanced nearer the plume edges, and depletion of ozone within the plume core. The simulations also show that in-plume chemistry rapidly converts NOx into nitric acid, providing a mechanism to explain observed elevated in-plume HNO3. This highlights the importance of coupled BrO-NOx chemistry, both for BrO-formation and as a production mechanism for HNO3 in BrO-influenced regions of the atmosphere.
Studies of coupled halogen-H2S-chemistry are consistent with in-situ Alphasense electrochemical sensor observations of H2S at a range of volcanoes, and only predict H2S-depletion if Cl is additionally elevated. Initial studies regarding the transformations of mercury within volcanic plumes suggest that significant in-plume conversion of Hg0 to Hg2+ can occur in the downwind plume. Such Hg2+ may impact downwind ecology through enhanced Hg-deposition, and causing enhanced biological uptake of mercury.
Excitingly, we can now begin to compare the model simulations to very recently reported in-situ aircraft and balloon measurements in downwind volcanic plumes, which found e.g. ozone depletion at Redoubt, ozone depletion and elevated HNO3 at Erebus and sulfate-H2O interactions at Kilauea. Satellite observations of volcanic BrO, and DOAS observations of BrO under varying plume conditions have also recently been reported. Such comparisons may highlight additional chemistry (e.g. HO2NO2 at Erebus), identify further underlying processes (e.g. the role of plume dispersion and gas fluxes in controlling plume chemistry), guide future field–observation strategies, and support and improve the model simulations that aim to understand volcanic emissions, plume chemistry, and predict the environmental impacts of volcanic plumes. |
|
|
|
|
|
|