Characterization of the Etna volcanic emissions through an active biomonitoring technique (moss-bags): Part 2 – Morphological and mineralogical features. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Calabrese, S.; D'Alessandro, W.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 119(2015)
• Page Start: 1456
• Page End: 1464
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Volcanic aerosols -- Plume -- Passive degassing -- Sphagnum -- Sulfates; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.08.087
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Highlights: First study of volcanic particles characterization by using moss-bags. Atmospheric deposition on Mt. Etna is dominated by volcanogenic and geogenic input. A huge amount of silicates, sulfates and halides are continuously emitted from Etna. The polygenic particles testify overgrowing processes that occur inside the plume. Abstract: Volcanic emissions were studied at Mount Etna (Italy) by using moss-bags technique. Mosses were exposed around the volcano at different distances from the active vents to evaluate the impact of volcanic emissions in the atmosphere. Morphology and mineralogy of volcanic particulate intercepted by mosses were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Particles emitted during passive degassing activity from the two active vents, Bocca Nuova and North East Crater (BNC and NEC), were identified as silicates, sulfates and halide compounds. In addition to volcanic particles, we found evidences also of geogenic, anthropogenic and marine spray input. The study has shown the robustness of this active biomonitoring technique to collect particles, very useful in active volcanic areas characterized by continuous degassing and often not easily accessible to apply conventional sampling techniques.