Abstract
Volcanoes have been identified as an important natural source of sulfur compounds such as H2S, CS2, SO2 and COS. The emission of volcanic sulfur compounds lead to the formation of sulfate aerosol and contribute to the acidity of precipitation.
Two weekly measuring campaigns have been performed in the non-erupting volcanic area of Sousaki, Korinthou, to determine the concentration levels of the above-mentioned compounds in the region, while meteorological parameters were also recorded.
The samplings have been performed during in a 24 h basis, covering two seasons of the year, a week in August 1998 and a week in January 1999. Reduced sulfur compounds were determined by a simple method of gas chromatography. Quality assurance procedure showed a very good precision and accuracy of the method utilized for the sulfur compounds determination.
In accordance with literature, H2S was the dominant sulfur compound at the volcano area, while COS, and CS2 didn't present significantly high values. Nevertheless, the concentration levels of the above pollutants are varying depending on the volcano magnitude and status (active, extinct).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chin, M. and Jacob, D. J., 1996: Antropogenic and natural contributions to troposheric sulfate. A global model analysis, J. Geophys. Res. 101, 18691–18690.
Cooper, D. J. and Saltzman, E. S., 1993: Measurements of atmospheric dimethylsulfide, hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide during GTE/CITE 3, J. Geophys. Res. 98, 23.397–23.409.
DeMore, W. B., Sander, S. P., Golden, D. M., Hampson, R. F., Kurylo, M. J., Howard, C. J., Ravishankara, A. R., Kolb, C. E., and Molina, M. J., 1997: Chemical Kinetics and Photochemical Data for Use in Stratospheric Modeling, NASA Panel for Data Evaluation, Evaluation Number 12.
Galanopoulos, D., Lagios, E., Dawes, G. J. K., and Hobbs, B. A., 1998: Geolectric structure of Sousaki geothermal area (Greece) deduced from two-dimensional magnetotelluric studies, J. Balkan Geophys. Soc. 4, 60–74.
Goldan, P. D., Fall, R., Kuster, W. C., and Fehsenfeld, F. C., 1988: Uptake of COS by growing vegetation: A major tropospheric sink, J. Geophys. Res. 93, 14186–14192.
Halmer, M. M., Schmincke, H., and Graf, F., 2002: The annual volcanic gas input into the atmosphere, in particular into the stratosphere: A global data set for the past 100 years, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 115, 511–528.
Khalil, M. A. K. and Rasmussen, R. A., 1984: Global sources lifetimes and mass balances of COS and CS2 in the earth's atmosphere, Atmos. Environ. 18, 1805–1813.
Mihalopoulos, N., Bousang, B., Nguyen, B. C., Kanakidou, M., and Belviso, S., 1989: Field observations of carbonyl sulphide deficit near the ground: Possible implication of vegetation, Atm. Environ. 23, 2159–2166.
Pham, M., Muller, J.-F. M., Brasseur, G. P., Granier, C., and Megie, G. M., 1995: A three dimensional study of the tropospheric sulphur cycle, J. Geophys. Res. 100, 26061–26092.
Taylor, J. K., 1987: Quality Assurance of Chemical Measurements, CRC Press, Inc., of Boca Raton, Florida, USA.
Thornton, D. C., Bandy, A. R., Blomquist, B. W., Davis, D. D., and Talbot, R. W., 1996: Sulfur dioxide as a source of condensation nuclei in the upper troposphere of the Pacific Ocean, J. Geophys. Res. 101, 1883–1890.
Turco, R. P., Whitten, R. C., Toon, O. B., Pollack, J. B., and Hamill, P., 1980: COS, stratospheric aerosols and climate, Nature 283, 283–286.
USA EPA Method 15, 40 CRF Part 60, Appendix A.
Vassilakos, Ch., Maggos, Th., Bartzis, J. G., and Papagiannakopoulos, P., 1999: A Simple Method for Simultaneous Analysis of Reduced Sulfur Compounds in Ambient Air. 10th International Symposium on Environmental Pollution and its Impact on Life in the Mediterranean Region. Allicante, Spain, October 2–6, p. 40.
Vassilakos, C., Ignatiades, L., Kwint, R., and Kozanoglou, C., 1996: Biological and Environmental Chemistry of Sulfonium Compounds, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 203–207
Wine, P. H., Chameides, W. L., and Ravishankara, A. R., 1981: Potential role of CS2 photooxidation in tropospheric sulfur chemistry, Geophys. Res. Lett. 8(5), 543–546.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vasilakos, C., Maggos, T., Bartzis, J.G. et al. Determination of Atmospheric Sulfur Compounds Near a Volcanic Area in Greece. J Atmos Chem 52, 101–116 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-005-8853-5
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-005-8853-5