The heavy metal chemistry of atmospheric rarticulate matter emitted by Mount Etna Volcano

Abstract

Measurements of the chemical composition of atmospheric particulate matter, collected by air filtration in the plumes from various active craters and vents at Mount Etna, Sicily, in June 1976, allowed to estimate a discharge of particulate elements to the atmosphere shown to be representative of Mount Etna long‐term activity. For some enriched trace elements in this volcanic aerosol (Cu, Zn, Se, Hg, Cd and Pb) the discharge from Mount Etna was compared to an estimate of the anthropogenic atmospheric release from the bordering countries of the Mediterranean basin. This comparison shows that, relative to the anthropogenic release of these elements, the discharge from Mount Etna is insignificant for Pb, comparable for Cd, Hg, Cu and Zn and is predominant for Se, in the Mediterranean atmospheric environment.