Sulfur and halogen chemistry of the stratosphere and of volcanic eruption plumes

Abstract

The major eruption of Volcan de Fuego caused an enhancement of 1.6×10 9 kg of SO 4 = in the stratosphere 6 months after the eruption. Measurable changes in nitric acid, vapor and particulate chloride were not observed. Subsequent data suggests that HCl was not injected into the stratosphere. The first simultaneous measurements of halogen and sulfur content of gases and particles in explosive eruption plumes is reported. The average percents of elements in particles were sulfur, 2.5±2.1; chlorine, 18±12; and fluorine, 38±29. The average molecular ratio of HCl/SO 2 and HCl/HF were 0.41±0.26 and 14±12 in the Guatemalan eruption plumes.