Diffuse emission of carbon dioxide from Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua, Central America

Abstract

We report the first detailed soil CO 2 efflux survey carried out at Cerro Negro volcano, Nicaragua, Central America. Soil CO 2 efflux values ranged from 0.5 to 35,000 g m −2 d −1 . Spatial distribution of CO 2 efflux shows that volcanic gas is mainly released from the summit crater and the fissures opened during the August 1999 eruption. The total CO 2 output of Cerro Negro is conservatively estimated to be 2,800 t d −1 , based on a study area of 0.58 Km². Contour maps of soil CO 2 efflux, ground temperature, and δ 13 C(CO 2 ) distributions support an important magmatic contribution for the total output of CO 2 at Cerro Negro volcano.