Daily monitoring of Ecuadorian volcanic degassing from space

We present daily measurements of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from active volcanoes in Ecuador and southern Colombia between September 2004 and September 2006, derived from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA's EOS/Aura satellite. OMI is an ultraviolet/visible spectrometer with an unprecedented combination of spatial and spectral resolution, and global coverage, that permits daily measurements of passive volcanic degassing from space. We use non-interactive processing methods to automatically extract daily SO₂ burdens and information on SO₂ sources from the OMI datastream. Maps of monthly average SO₂ vertical columns retrieved by OMI over Ecuador and S. Colombia are also used to illustrate variations in regional SO₂ loading and to pinpoint sources. The dense concentration of active volcanoes in Ecuador provides a stringent test of OMI's ability to distinguish SO₂ from multiple emitting sources. Our analysis reveals that Tungurahua, Reventador and Galeras were responsible for the bulk of the SO₂ emissions in the region in the timeframe of our study, with no significant SO₂ discharge detected from Sangay. At Galeras and Reventador, we conclude that OMI can detect variations in SO₂ release related to cycles of conduit sealing and degassing, which are a critical factor in hazard assessment. The OMI SO₂ data for Reventador are the most extensive sequence of degassing measurements available for this remote volcano, which dominated regional SO₂ production in June–August 2005. At Tungurahua, the OMI measurements span the waning stage of one eruptive cycle and the beginning of another, and we observe increasing SO₂ burdens in the months prior to explosive eruptions of the volcano in July and August 2006. Cumulative SO₂ loadings measured by OMI yield a total of ~ 1.16 Tg SO₂ emitted by volcanoes on mainland Ecuador/S. Colombia between September 2004 and September 2006; as much as 95% of this SO₂ may originate from non-eruptive degassing. Approximate apportionment of the total SO₂ loading indicates that ~ 40% originated from Tungurahua, with ~ 30% supplied by both Reventador and Galeras. These measurements of volcanic SO₂ degassing in Ecuador confirm OMI's potential as an effective, economical and risk-free tool for daily monitoring of SO₂ emissions from hazardous volcanoes.     

Do emissions and income have a common trend? A country-specific,time-series,global analysis, 1970–2008

This paper analyzes the relation between income and emissions in the period 1970–2008, for all world countries. We consider time-series of CO₂, SO₂ and GWP100, and use Vector Autoregressive models that allow for nonstationarity and cointegration. At 5 % significance level, income and emissions are found to be driven by unrelated random walks with drift (respectively by a common random walk with drift) in about 70 % (respectively 25 %) of cases; in the remaining cases the variables are trend-stationary. Tests of Granger-causality show evidence of both directions of causality. For the case of unrelated stochastic trends, we almost never find income driving emissions, as predicted by a consumption-function interpretation. These causality results and the absence of a common trend challenge the main implications of the Environmental Kuznets Curve, namely that the dominant direction of causality should be from income to emissions, and that for increasing levels of income, emissions should tend to decrease.     

Space-time Interpolation by Combining Air Pollution and Meteorologic Variables

In this paper, a technique is proposed in order to study triple time series. It combines the variable of interest, sulfur dioxide (SO₂) with two related meteorological variables. Hence, three variables measured at the same time points are jointly analyzed. Instead of using classical multiple time series analysis, it is suggested to consider the measurements of the two meteorological variables as coordinates of a two-dimensional space and the simultaneous observation of the third variable (associated SO₂ concentrations) at each pair of coordinates. Subsequently, well-known optimum interpolation is used for predicting the SO₂ concentrations on the basis of six meteorological variables. All the variables of the study are measured at the same times (all days in 2000) around the city of Istanbul, Turkey. The triple diagrams, in the form of contour maps, help to answer various questions concerning the SO₂ concentration variability with respect to meteorological variables. The same diagrams also provide a basis for the prediction of SO₂ concentrations. It is shown that the relative prediction error is less than 10%, which is acceptable for the practical studies.     

N2O emissions from regional agricultural lands A case study of Guizhou Province, southwestern China

To preliminarily study N₂O emissions and the importance of environmental parameters on N₂O flux from subtropical agroecosystem in China, N₂O flux measurements were made at three cultivated agricultural lands in Guizhou Province, southwestern China. Based on the test and validation of daily N₂O flux and its several associated variables between DNDC model and field measurements, DNDC model has been employed to estimate total N₂O emissions from entire agricultural lands and its spatial distribution at county scale in Guizhou in 1995, and to assess the contributions of cropping practices on N₂O emissions.     

System Performance in UASB Reactors Receiving Increasing Levels of Sulfate

Glucose‐fed high‐rate UASB reactors were tested at three COD/SO₄ ratios and hydraulic retention times to promote sulfate reducing activity and observe the effects on reactor performance. Different COD/SO₄ ratios (20, 10, and 5) resulted in changes in organic matter removal, methane production, alkalinity, dissolved sulfide and biomass concentrations and profile. The COD removal dropped from 95 to 80–84 % at the lowest COD/SO₄ ratio. Sulfate was removed at 79 to 89 % at the highest ratio and dropped to 72 to 74 % with increasing sulfate loading. Alkalinity was produced at higher levels with increasing sulfate loading. Specific methane production dropped with decreasing hydraulic retention times. Sulfate‐reducing activity used a maximum of 11.7 % of organic matter at the highest sulfate loading level, producing a slight shift to sulfate‐reducing activity in the substrate competition between sulfate‐reducing bacteria and methanogens. Increased sulfate loading at COD/SO₄ ratios of 10 and 5 caused deterioration of the concentration profile of the sludge, resulting in biomass washout and decreased volatile fraction of biosolids in the reactors.     

New clues on the contribution of Earth’s volcanism to the global mercury cycle

Active volcanoes are thought to be important contributors to the atmospheric mercury (Hg) budget, and this chemical element is one of the most harmful atmospheric pollutants, owing to its high toxicity and long residence time in ecosystems. There is, however, considerable uncertainty over the magnitude of the global volcanic Hg flux, since the existing data on volcanogenic Hg emissions are sparse and often ambiguous. In an attempt to extend the currently limited dataset on volcanogenic Hg emissions, we summarize the results of Hg flux measurements at seven active open-conduit volcanoes; Stromboli, Asama, Miyakejima, Montserrat, Ambrym, Yasur, and Nyiragongo.. Data from the dome-building Soufriere Hills volcano are also reported. Using our determined mercury to SO₂ mass ratios in tandem with the simultaneously-determined SO₂ emission rates, we estimate that the 7 volcanoes have Hg emission rates ranging from 0.2 to 18 t yr^-1 (corresponding to a total Hg flux of ~41 t·yr^-1). Based on our dataset and previous work, we propose that a Hg/SO₂ plume ratio ~10^-5 is best-representative of gas emissions from quiescent degassing volcanoes. Using this ratio, we infer a global volcanic Hg flux from persistent degassing of ~95 t·yr^-1 .     

The Airshed for Ozone and Fine Particulate Pollution in the Eastern United States

— To examine the spatial scales associated with atmospheric pollutants such as ozone (O₃) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), we employ the following five techniques: (1) Analysis of the persistence of high O₃ concentrations aloft; (2) spatial and lag correlations between the short-term components (i.e., weather-induced variations) in the time series of O₃ and PM_2.5 throughout the eastern United States; (3) analysis of mixed-layer forward trajectories compiled at different locations on a climatological basis to identify the potential region covered in 1-day of atmospheric transport; (4) analysis of three-dimensional Lagrangian trajectories of tracer particles for three high-O₃ episode events in the summer of 1995; and (5) analysis of the spatial extent over which emissions have an impact through photochemical model simulations. Regardless of the method chosen, the results demonstrate that pollutants such as O₃ and PM_2.5 have the potential to affect regions having spatial scales of several hundred kilometers. This finding has implications to regulatory policies for addressing the pollution problem, and for optimally designing monitoring networks for such pollutants.     

Health impact assessment of marine emissions in Pearl River Delta region

Global marine vessels emissions are adversely affecting human health particularly in southeast Asia. But health burdens from both ocean- and river-going vessels in Pearl River Delta (PRD) regions are not quantified. We estimated the potential health impacts using pooled relative risks of mortality and hospital admissions in China, and the model derived concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter (PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ozone (O₃) due to vessels emissions. SO₂ concentrations due to marine emissions in Hong Kong were 13.6 μgm^?3 compared with 0.7 μgm^?3 in PRD regions that were far from the marine vessels. In PRD regions, the estimated annual numbers (per million people) of excess deaths from all natural causes and hospital admissions from cardiorespiratory causes attributable to SO₂, NO₂, O₃ and PM₁₀ combined from marine emissions were 45 and 265 respectively. Marine emission control measures could contribute a large reduction in mortality and hospital admissions in PRD regions especially in Hong Kong.     

Comparison of SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> column retrievals from BRD and DOAS algorithms

Atmospheric SO₂ has a significant impact on the urban environment and global climate. Band Residual Difference Algorithm (BRD) and Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) were used respectively by NASA and ESA science team to derive SO₂ columns from satellite observations, but there are few studies on the comparison and validation of BRD and DOAS SO₂ retrievals under the same observation conditions. In this study, the radiative transfer model SCIATRAN was firstly used to validate the accuracies of BRD and DOAS SO₂ retrievals, and analyse the uncertainty of SO₂ retrieval caused by band selection, O3 absorption, aerosol, surface reflectance, solar and viewing zenith angle. Finally, BRD and DOAS algorithms were applied to the same radiances from satellite observations, and comparisons of BRD and DOAS SO₂ retrievals were conducted over volcanic eruption and North China. Results show that, for the case with low SO₂ columns, BRD SO₂ retrievals have higher retrieval accuracy than DOAS, but typical seasonal variation with high SO₂ column in winter and low in summer can be more clearly discernible in DOAS SO₂ retrievals than BRD from satellite observations. For the case with high SO₂ columns, the differences between BRD (310.8–314.4 nm) and DOAS (315–327 nm) retrievals are large, and the value and accuracy of BRD (310.8–314.4 nm) SO₂ retrievals are lower than those of DOAS (315–327 nm) retrievals. Compared with the SO₂ inputs in forward model, both BRD (310.8–314.4 nm) and DOAS (315–327 nm) SO₂ retrievals are underestimated for the case with high SO₂ columns. The selection of wavelength range can significantly affect the accuracy of SO₂ retrieval. The error of BRD SO₂ retrieval from 310.8–314.4 nm is lower than other bands in the ultraviolet spectral region (306–327 nm). The increase of wavelength in the ultraviolet spectral region 306–330 nm can reduce the underestimation of DOAS SO₂ retrievals in the case of high SO₂ column, but slight overestimation of SO₂ retrieval is found from the 315–327 nm range in the case of low SO₂ column. The values of BRD and DOAS SO₂ retrieval decrease with atmospheric O₃ column and aerosol optical depth increasing, but increase with surface reflectance increasing. Large solar zenith angle and viewing zenith angle can introduce more errors to the BRD and DOAS SO₂ retrievals. This study is important for the improvement of retrieval algorithm and the application of SO₂ products from satellite observations.     

Sulfur dioxide emissions from Popocatépetl volcano (Mexico): case study of a high-emission rate, passively degassing erupting volcano

Popocatépetl volcano in central Mexico has been erupting explosively and effusively for almost 4 years. SO₂ emission rates from this volcano have been the largest ever measured using a COSPEC. Pre-eruptive average SO₂ emission rates (2–3 kt/d) were similar to the emission rates measured during the first part of the eruption (up to August 1995) in contrast with the effusive–explosive periods (March 1996–January 1998) during which SO₂ emission rates were higher by a factor of four (9–13 kt/d). Based on a chronology of the eruption and the average SO₂ emission rates per period, the total SO₂ emissions (up to 1 January 1998) are estimated to be about 9 Mt, roughly half as much as the SO₂ emissions from Mount Pinatubo in a shorter period. Popocatépetl volcano is thus considered as a high-emission rate, passively degassing eruptive volcano. SO₂ emission rates and SO₂ emissions are used here to make a mass balance of the erupted magma and related gases. Identified excess SO₂ is explained in terms of continuous degassing of unerupted magma and magma mixing. Fluctuations in SO₂ emission rate may be a result of convection and crystallization in the chamber or the conduits, cleaning and sealing of the plumbing system, and/or SO₂ scrubbing by the hydrothermal system.     

Magmatic gas scrubbing: implications for volcano monitoring

Despite the abundance of SO_2(g) in magmatic gases, precursory increases in magmatic SO_2(g) are not always observed prior to volcanic eruption, probably because many terrestrial volcanoes contain abundant groundwater or surface water that scrubs magmatic gases until a dry pathway to the atmosphere is established. To better understand scrubbing and its implications for volcano monitoring, we model thermochemically the reaction of magmatic gases with water. First, we inject a 915°C magmatic gas from Merapi volcano into 25°C air-saturated water (ASW) over a wide range of gas/water mass ratios from 0.0002 to 100 and at a total pressure of 0.1 MPa. Then we model closed-system cooling of the magmatic gas, magmatic gas-ASW mixing at 5.0 MPa, runs with varied temperature and composition of the ASW, a case with a wide range of magmatic–gas compositions, and a reaction of a magmatic gas–ASW mixture with rock. The modeling predicts gas and water compositions, and, in one case, alteration assemblages for a wide range of scrubbing conditions; these results can be compared directly with samples from degassing volcanoes. The modeling suggests that CO_2(g) is the main species to monitor when scrubbing exists; another candidate is H₂S_(g), but it can be affected by reactions with aqueous ferrous iron. In contrast, scrubbing by water will prevent significant SO_2(g) and most HCl_(g) emissions until dry pathways are established, except for moderate HCl_(g) degassing from pH<0.5 hydrothermal waters. Furthermore, it appears that scrubbing will prevent much, if any, SO_2(g) degassing from long-resident boiling hydrothermal systems. Several processes can also decrease or increase H_2(g) emissions during scrubbing making H_2(g) a poor choice to detect changes in magma degassing.We applied the model results to interpret field observations and emission rate data from four eruptions: (1) Crater Peak on Mount Spurr (1992) where, except for a short post-eruptive period, scrubbing appears to have drastically diminished pre-, inter-, and post-eruptive SO_2(g) emissions, but had much less impact on CO_2(g) emissions. (2) Mount St. Helens where scrubbing of SO_2(g) was important prior to and three weeks after the 18 May 1980 eruption. Scrubbing was also active during a period of unrest in the summer of 1998. (3) Mount Pinatubo where early drying out prevented SO_2(g) scrubbing before the climactic 15 June 1991 eruption. (4) The ongoing eruption at Popocatépetl in an arid region of Mexico where there is little evidence of scrubbing.In most eruptive cycles, the impact of scrubbing will be greater during pre- and post-eruptive periods than during the main eruptive and intense passive degassing stages. Therefore, we recommend monitoring the following gases: CO_2(g) and H₂S_(g) in precursory stages; CO_2(g), H₂S_(g), SO_2(g), HCl_(g), and HF_(g) in eruptive and intense passive degassing stages; and CO_2(g) and H₂S_(g) again in the declining stages. CO_2(g) is clearly the main candidate for early emission rate monitoring, although significant early increases in the intensity and geographic distribution of H₂S_(g) emissions should be taken as an important sign of volcanic unrest and a potential precursor. Owing to the difficulty of extracting SO_2(g) from hydrothermal waters, the emergence of >100 t/d (tons per day) of SO_2(g) in addition to CO_2(g) and H₂S_(g) should be taken as a criterion of magma intrusion. Finally, the modeling suggests that the interpretation of gas-ratio data requires a case-by-case evaluation since ratio changes can often be produced by several mechanisms; nevertheless, several gas ratios may provide useful indices for monitoring the drying out of gas pathways.     

UV camera measurements of fumarole field degassing (La Fossa crater,Vulcano Island)

The UV camera is becoming an important new tool in the armory of volcano geochemists to derive high time resolution SO₂ flux measurements. Furthermore, the high camera spatial resolution is particularly useful for exploring multiple-source SO₂ gas emissions, for instance the composite fumarolic systems topping most quiescent volcanoes. Here, we report on the first SO₂ flux measurements from individual fumaroles of the fumarolic field of La Fossa crater (Vulcano Island, Aeolian Island), which we performed using a UV camera in two field campaigns: in November 12, 2009 and February 4, 2010. We derived ~ 0.5 Hz SO₂ flux time-series finding fluxes from individual fumaroles, ranging from 2 to 8.7 t d^?1, with a total emission from the entire system of ~ 20 t d^?1 and ~ 13 t d^?1, in November 2009 and February 2010 respectively. These data were augmented with molar H₂S/SO₂, CO₂/SO₂ and H₂O/SO₂ ratios, measured using a portable MultiGAS analyzer, for the individual fumaroles. Using the SO₂ flux data in tandem with the molar ratios, we calculated the flux of volcanic species from individual fumaroles, and the crater as a whole: CO₂ (684 t d^?1 and 293 t d^?1), H₂S (8 t d^?1 and 7.5 t d^?1) and H₂O (580 t d^?1 and 225 t d^?1).     

Spatial Distribution of SO2, NO2, and O3 Concentrations in an Industrial City of Turkey Using a Passive Sampling Method

Ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone (O₃) were measured at 51 sampling points by passive sampling technique in Kocaeli, an important industrial city in Turkey. Samples were analyzed by UV‐spectrophotometry for NO₂ and O₃ and by ion chromatography for SO₂, respectively. Concentrations of SO₂, NO₂, and O₃ were determined to investigate their spatial distribution and source characterization. The sampling campaigns revealed an average concentration of 8 µg/m³ (max. 82 µg/m³) for SO₂, and 14 µg/m³ (max. 40 µg/m³) for NO₂, in summer; while average winter concentrations were 25 µg/m³ (max. 61 µg/m³) for SO₂, and 50 µg/m³ (max. 100 µg/m³) for NO₂. The maximum ozone concentrations were determined to be 86 µg/m³ in summer and 61 µg/m³ in winter downwind of the source areas of the precursor pollutant emissions. The results showed that NO₂ and SO₂ concentrations in industrial and urban areas were two to four times higher compared with rural areas in the summer and winter. In the light of the information obtained from the spatial interpolation of the pollutant concentrations, a selection of appropriate locations for continuous monitoring was suggested according to the European Community (EU) directives.     

Variability of carbon dioxide flux from tropical (Cerrado) hydroelectric reservoirs

Hydroelectric reservoirs generate energy without significant combustion of fossil fuels. However, these systems can, potentially, emit greenhouse gases (GHG’s) at a rate which may be significant at the global scale, and, possible, co-equal, per kilowatt-hour, to that from conventional coal or oil-fired systems. Although much of the new construction of hydroelectric reservoirs is in the tropics, most of the data on GHG emissions comes from temperate regions. Further, much of the existing data on reservoir gas emissions comes from single sites, usually near the terminal dams. Large tropical reservoirs often involve the impoundments of river systems with complex morphology which in turn can cause spatial heterogeneity in gas flux. We evaluated spatial and seasonal variability in CO₂ concentrations and gas flux for five large (50–1,400 km²) reservoirs in the Cerrado region of Brazil. Most of data set (87% of all measurements) showed CO₂ supersaturation and net efflux to the atmosphere. There was as much or more variation in pCO₂ over space and among seasons. The large studied reservoirs showed different zones in terms of CO₂ emission because those fluxes are dependent on flooded biomass, watershed input of organic matter and dam operation regime. Here we demonstrate that the reservoirs in the Brazilian Cerrado have low rates of CO₂ emissions compared to existing global comparisons. Our results suggest that ignoring the spatial variability can lead to more than 25% error in total system gas flux.     

Degree of Sulfate‐Reducing Activities on COD Removal in Various Reactor Configurations in Anaerobic Glucose and Acetate‐fed Reactors

Sulfate‐reduction data from various anaerobic reactor configurations, e. g., upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASBR), completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR), and batch reactor (BR) with synthetic wastewaters, having glucose and acetate as the substrates and different levels of sulfate, were evaluated to determine the level of sulfate‐reducing activity by sulfate‐reducing bacteria coupled to organic matter removal. Anaerobic reactors were observed for the degree of competition between sulfate‐reducing sulfidogens and methane producing bacteria during the degradation of glucose and acetate. Low sulfate‐reducing activity was obtained with a maximum of 20% of organic matter degradation with glucose‐fed upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactors (UASBRs), while a minimum of 2% was observed with acetate‐fed batch reactors. The highest sulfate removal performance (72–89%) was obtained from glucose fed‐UASB reactors, with the best results observed with increasing COD/SO₄ ratios. UASB reactors produced the highest level of sulfidogenic activity, with the highest sulfate removal and without a performance loss. Hence, this was shown to be the optimum reactor configuration. Dissolved sulfide produced as a result of sulfate reduction reached 325 mg/L and 390 mg/L in CST and UASB reactors, respectively, and these levels were tolerated. The sulfate removal rate was higher at lower COD/SO₄ ratios, but the degree of sulfate removal improved with increasing COD/SO₄ ratios.     

Simulating spatiotemporal variations of atmospheric CO2 using a nested hemispheric model

A three-dimensional Eulerian nested model for transport, diffusion, and surface fluxes of CO₂ has been developed. The model is used to study the spatial and temporal variations of atmospheric CO₂ concentrations as a step towards a better understanding of the regional source pattern over Europe. The influence from the national surface characteristics, as e.g. fossil CO₂ emissions or ecosystem fluxes, can be treated on a continental or national level in the model. In the future the model can be used as a mean to corroborate national and EU-wide controls or reductions of carbon emissions. One of the major questions in the estimation of e.g. national CO₂ budgets is the quantification of surface ecosystem fluxes. In order to test the sensitivity of atmospheric CO₂ concentrations to ecosystem fluxes, two different parameterizations [J. Geophys. Res. 92 (1987) 2999] and [Global Biogeochem. Cycles 10 (1996) 269] have been implemented in the model. The model both with and without nest is validated by comparison with measurements and the different model results will be discussed. The results show that including a nested domain with higher spatial resolution significantly improves the model performance in some areas. In spite of regional deviations in the two sets of ecosystems fluxes no major differences are seen over Europe as a whole when either of the two parameterizations are included in the model and the results compared.     

The effects of volcanic ash on COSPEC measurements

Data from a series of laboratory experiments show the relationships between measured correlation spectrometer (COSPEC) sulfur-dioxide (SO₂) burdens, automatic gain control (AGC) deflections, and visible wavelength opacities in ash-laden plumes. The data show that the COSPEC reliably measures (within a 10% accuracy) SO₂ burdens up to AGC deflections of 2 V and visible wavelength opacities of 50%. Beyond these limits, the under measurement of the SO₂ burden is not well constrained. During typical COSPEC runs, these limits are rarely violated. The 10% error introduced by measuring ash-laden plumes is acceptable because the error is small relative to other error sources associated with the technique, especially plume velocity; and the error is correctable which allows for a wider range of plume conditions to be measured.These results imply that the densest SO₂ concentrations near the volcanic source can be measured. This is important so that SO₂ is not lost from the volcanic plume due to physical and chemical processes and that measurements are conducted under maximum signal to noise ratios.     

A CO2-rich gas trigger of explosive paroxysms at Stromboli basaltic volcano,Italy

In addition to rhythmic slug-driven Strombolian activity, Stromboli volcano occasionally produces discrete explosive paroxysms (2 per year on average for the most frequent ones) that constitute a major hazard and whose origin remains poorly elucidated. Partial extrusion of the volatile-rich feeding basalt as aphyric pumice during these events has led to consider their triggering by the fast ascent of primitive magma blobs from possibly great depth. Here I examine and discuss the alternative hypothesis that most of the paroxysms could be triggered and driven by the fast upraise of CO₂-rich gas pockets generated by bubble foam growth and collapse in the sub-volcano plumbing system. Data for the SO₂ and CO₂ crater plume emissions are used to show that Stromboli's feeding magma may originally contain as much as 2 wt.% of carbon dioxide and early coexists with an abundant CO₂-rich gas phase with high CO₂/SO₂ molar ratio (≥ 60 at 10 km depth below the vents, compared to ～ 7 in time-averaged crater emissions). Pressure-related modelling indicates that the time-averaged crater gas composition and output are well accounted for by closed system decompression of the basalt–gas mixture until the volcano–crust interface (～ 3 km depth), followed by open degassing and crystallization in the volcano conduits. However, both the low viscosity and high vesicularity of the basaltic magma permit bubble segregation and bubble foam growth at deep sill-like feeder discontinuities and at shallower physical boundaries (such as the volcano–crust interface) where the gas-rich aphyric basalt interacts with the unerupted crystal-rich and viscous magma drained back from the volcano conduits. Gas pressure build-up and bubble foam collapse at these boundaries will intermittently trigger the sudden upraise of CO₂-rich gas blobs that constitute the main driving force of the paroxysms. Deeper-sourced gas blobs, driving the most powerful explosions, will be the richest in CO₂ and have highest CO₂/SO₂ ratios. This mechanism is shown to account well for the dynamic, seismic and petrologic features of Stromboli's paroxysms and, hence, to provide a potential alternative interpretation for their genesis and their forecasting. Enhanced bubble foam leakage prior to a paroxysm, or foam emptying in several steps, should lead indeed to precursory upstream of CO₂-rich gas and increasing CO₂/SO₂ ratio in crater plume emissions. The recent detection of such signals prior to two explosions in December 2006 and March 2007 strongly supports this expectation and the model proposed in this study.     

Implications for eruptive processes as indicated by sulfur dioxide emissions from K lauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, 1979–1997

K lauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, currently hosts the longest running SO₂ emission-rate data set on the planet, starting with initial surveys done in 1975 by Stoiber and his colleagues. The 17.5-year record of summit emissions, starting in 1979, shows the effects of summit and east rift eruptive processes, which define seven distinctly different periods of SO₂ release. Summit emissions jumped nearly 40% with the onset (3 January 1983) of the Pu‘u ‘ ‘ -K paianaha eruption on the east rift zone (ERZ). Summit SO₂ emissions from K lauea showed a strong positive correlation with short-period, shallow, caldera events, rather than with long-period seismicity as in more silicious systems. This correlation suggests a maturation process in the summit magma-transport system from 1986 through 1993. During a steady-state throughput-equilibrium interval of the summit magma reservoir, integration of summit-caldera and ERZ SO₂ emissions reveals an undegassed volume rate of effusion of 2.1×10⁵ m³/d. This value corroborates the volume-rate determined by geophysical methods, demonstrating that, for K lauea, SO₂ emission rates can be used to monitor effusion rate, supporting and supplementing other, more established geophysical methods. For the 17.5 years of continuous emission rate records at K lauea, the volcano has released 9.7×10⁶ t (metric tonnes) of SO₂, 1.7×10⁶ t from the summit and 8.0×10⁶ t from the east rift zone. On an annual basis, the average SO₂ release from K lauea is 4.6×10⁵ t/y, compared to the global annual volcanic emission rate of 1.2×10⁷ t/y.     

Detailed record of SO2 emissions from Pu'u `O`o between episodes 33 and 34 of the 1983–86 ERZ eruption,Kilauea, Hawaii

A tripod-mounted correlation spectrometer was used to measure SO₂ emissions from Pu`u `O`o vent, mid-ERZ, Kilauea, Hawaii between Episodes 33 and 34 (June 13 to July 6, 1985). In 24 repose days, 906 measurements were collected, averaging 38 determinations/day. Measurements reflect 13% of the total 576 hours of the repose and 42% of the bright daylight hours. The average SO<sub>2</sub> emission for the 24-day repose interval is 167±83 t/d, a total of 4000 tonnes emitted for the entire repose. The large standard deviation reflects the puffing character of the plume. The overall rate of SO<sub>2</sub> degassing gently decreased with a zero-intercept of 44–58 days and was interrupted by two positive peaks. The data are consistent with the gas emanating from a cylindrical conduit of 50 meter diameter and a length of 1700 meters which degasses about 50% of its SO<sub>2</sub> during 24 days. This is in support of the Pu'u `O`o model of Greenland et al. (1987). 36 hours before the onset of Episode 34 (July 5–6, 1985), elevated SO₂ emissions were detected while the magma column was extremely active ultimately spilling over during dome fountaining. A mid-repose anomaly of SO₂ emission (June 21–22, 1985) occurs two days before a sudden increase in the rate of summit inflation (on June 24, 1985), suggesting magma was simultaneously being injected in both the ERZ and summit reservoir until July 24 when it was channelled only to the summit reservoir. This implies degassing magma is sensitive to perturbations within the rift zone conduit system and may at times reflect these disturbances. Periods of 7–45 min are detected in the daily SO₂ emissions, which possibly reflect timing of convective overturn in the cylindrical magma body. If the 33–34 repose interval is considered representative of other repose periods, the ERZ reposes of Jan 1983–Jan 1986 ERZ activity, contributed 1.6 × 10⁵ tonnes of SO₂ to the atmosphere. Including summit fuming from non-eruptive fumaroles (2.7 × 10⁵ tonnes SO₂); 28% of the total SO₂ budget from Kilauea between Jan 1983 to Jan 1986 was contributed by quiescent degassing, and the remainder was released during explosive fountaining episodes.