http://hdl.handle.net/2122/374 2013-05-21T06:11:02Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8711 Title: Geochemical insight into differences in the physical structures and dynamics of two adjacent maar lakes at Mt. Vulture volcano (southern Italy) Authors: Caracausi, A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Nuccio, P. M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Favara, R.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Nicolosi, M.; Università di Palermo; Paternoster, M.; Università della Basilicata; Rosciglione, A.; Università di Palermo Abstract: We report on the first geochemical investigation of the Monticchio maar lakes (Mt. Vulture volcano, southern Italy) covering an annual cycle that aimed at understanding the characteristic features of the physical structures and dynamics of the two lakes. We provide the first detailed description of the lakes based on high-resolution CTD profiles, chemical and isotopic (H and O) compositions of the water, and the amounts of dissolved gases (e.g., He, Ar, CH4 and CO2). The combined data set reveals that the two lakes, which are separated by less than 200 m, exhibit different dynamics: one is a meromictic lake, where the waters are rich in biogenic and mantle-derived gases, while the other is a monomictic lake, which exhibits complete turnover of the water in winter and the release of dissolved gases. Our data strongly suggest that the differences in the dynamics of the two lakes are due to different density profiles affected by dissolved solutes, mainly Fe, which is strongly enriched in the deep water of the meromictic lake. A conceptual model of water balance was constructed based on the correlation between the chemical composition of the water and the hydrogen isotopic signature. Gas-rich groundwaters that feed both of the lakes and evaporation processes subsequently modify the water chemistry of the lakes. Our data highlight that no further potential hazardous accumulation of lethal gases is expected at the Monticchio lakes. Nevertheless, geochemical monitoring is needed to prevent the possibility of vigorous gas releases that have previously occurred in historical time. 2012-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8710 Title: Active degassing of mantle-derived fluid: A geochemical study along the Vulture line, southern Apennines (Italy Authors: Caracausi, A.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Martelli, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Nuccio, P. M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Paternoster, M.; Università della Basilicata; Fin, S.; Isotope Geosciences Unit, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Abstract: We report the results of a geochemical study of gas emissions along a NE–SW transect in southern Italy in order to test the hypothesis that the region around Monte Vulture is affected by degassing of mantle-derived fluids through a lithospheric discontinuity. We also investigated lavas from the Monte Vulture volcano displaying 3He/4He (up to ~6.0 Ra) and Sr isotopes that are consistent with an origin inmantle that has hadminimal pollution from subducted Adriatic slab. Similar 3He/4He in fluids from around Mt. Vulture indicate that the deep volcanic systemis still degassing. Mantle-derived He occurs in fluids along the length of the Vulture line, reinforcing the hypothesis that it is a deep tectonic discontinuity along which mantle fluids and/or melts advect to the surface. The CO2/3He ratios are highly variable (2.7×108–2.15×1011) in response to processes such as gas dissolution into aquifers, addition of crustal gases and degassing fractionation. 2012-12-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8697 Title: Sulphur-gas concentrations in volcanic and geothermal areas in Italy and Greece: Characterising potential human exposures and risks Authors: D'Alessandro, W.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Aiuppa, A.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento DiSTeM; Bellomo, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Brusca, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Calabrese, S.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento DiSTeM; Kyriakopoulos, K.; University of Athens, Dept. Geology and Geoenvironment, Greece; Liotta, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Longo, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia Abstract: Passive samplers were used to measure the atmospheric concentrations of SO2 naturally emitted at three volcanoes in Italy (Etna, Vulcano and Stromboli) and of H2S naturally emitted at three volcanic/geothermal areas in Greece (Milos, Santorini and Nisyros). The measured concentrations and dispersion patterns varied with the strength of the source (open conduits or fumaroles), the meteorological conditions and the area topography. At Etna, Vulcano and Stromboli, SO2 concentrations reach values that are dangerous to people affected by bronchial asthma or lung diseases (>1000 μg m−3). H2S values measured at Nisyros also exceed the limit considered safe for the same group of people (>3000 μg m−3). The data obtained using passive samplers represent time-averaged values over periods from a few days up to 1 month, and hence concentrations probably reached much higher peak values that were potentially also dangerous to healthy people. The present study provides evidence of a peculiar volcanic risk associated with tourist exploitation of active volcanic areas. This risk is particularly high at Mt. Etna, where the elderly and people in less-than-perfect health can easily reach areas with dangerous SO2 concentrations via a cableway and off-road vehicles 2013-07-31T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8661 Title: Biogenic/Abiogenic Hydrocarbons Origin - Possible Role of Tectonically Active Belts Authors: Scalera, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia Editors: Scalera, Giancarlo; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Boschi, Enzo; University of Bologna; Cwojdzinski, Stefan; Polish Geological Survey Abstract: The creation of hydrocarbons is linked to tectono-geologic processes and particularly to orogenesis, rifting, overthrusts, erosion, deposition of sediments, deep gas emissions, etc.. Many have claimed the inadequacy of plate tectonics in linearly explain a number of phenomena involved in hydrocarbons generation and geological processes, and many others have defended the synthesis of hydrocarbons starting from inorganic minerals, proposing di erent geochemical processes. In this paper a possible mechanism for production of abiogenic hydrocarbons is proposed, linking it to a previously proposed orogenic isostatic model. While in plate tectonics the cold slab travels in contact with the lithosphere of the continental side, oxidizing materials faced to oxidizing materials, in this model the hightemperature reducing environment of the undepleted mantle rises up and come in contact with the relatively cold oxidizing lithospheric environment. Non-lithostatic overpressures and a number of chemical reactions are then favoured in this sort of tectonic oxidizingreducing pile, leading to a multiple origin of the hydrocarbons. The actual situation along the Italian Apennines orogenic belt seems in accord to the proposed model in which an important role should have the abiogenic hydrocarbons in particular those produced by the tectonic working at the western margin of the Adriatic plate. However, albeit a continuous accumulation of abiogenic hydrocarbons is witnessed by a number of planetary bodies of the Solar system, still no evaluation of the abiogenic/biogenic hydrocarbons rate is possible on our planet. 2012-11-30T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8658 Title: The Earth Expansion Evidence – A Challenge for Geology, Geophysics and Astronomy Authors: Scalera, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Boschi, E.; University of Bologna; Cwojdzinski, S.; Polish Geological Survey Editors: Scalera, Giancarlo; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma1, Roma, Italia; Boschi, Enzo; University of Bologna; Cwojdzinski, Stefan; Polish Geological Survey 2012-11-30T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8634 Title: Methane flux from miniseepage in mud volcanoes of SW Taiwan: Comparison with the data from Italy, Romania, and Azerbaijan Authors: Hong, W.- L..; Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10699, Taiwan; Etiope, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Yang, T. F.; Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10699, Taiwan; Chang, P.- Y.; Institute of Applied Geosciences, National Taiwan Ocean University, No. 2, Pei-Ning Road, Keelung City 202, Taiwan Abstract: Mud volcanoes (MVs) are considered important methane (CH4) sources for the atmosphere; gas is not only released from macro-seepage, i.e., from craters and visible gas bubbling manifestations, but also from invisible and pervasive exhalation from the ground, named miniseepage. CH4 flux related to miniseepage was measured only in a few MVs, in Azerbaijan, Italy, Japan, Romania and Taiwan. This study examines in detail the flux data acquired in 5 MVs and 1 ‘‘dry’’ seep in SW Taiwan, and further compares with other 23 MVs in Italy, Romania and Azerbaijan. Miniseepage from the six manifestations in SW Taiwan MVs and seeps annually contribute at least 110 tons of methane directly to the atmosphere, and represents about 80% of total degassing during a quiescent period. Combining miniseepage flux and geo-electrical data from the Wu-shan-ding MV revealed a possible link between gas flux and electrical resistivity of the vadose zone. This suggests that unsaturated subsoil is a preferential zone for shallow gas accumulation and seepage to the atmosphere. Besides, miniseepage flux in Chu-huo everlasting fire decreases by increasing the distance from the main gas channeling zone and molecular fractionation (methane/ethane ratio) is higher for lower flux seepage, consistently with what observed in other MVs worldwide. Measurements from Azerbaijan, Italy, Romania, and Taiwan converge to indicate that miniseepage is directly proportional to the vent output and it is a significant component of the total methane budget of a MV. A miniseepage vs. macro-seepage flux equation has been statistically assessed and it can be used to estimate theoretically at least the order of magnitude of the flux of miniseepage for MVs of which only the flux from vents was evaluated, or will be evaluated in future. This will allow a more complete and objective quantification of gas emission in MVs, thus also refining the estimate of the global methane emission from geological sources. 2013-03-24T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8633 Title: Offshore and onshore seepage of thermogenic gas at Katakolo Bay (Western Greece) Authors: Etiope, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Christodoulou, D.; Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology, University of Patras, Greece; Kordella, S.; Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology, University of Patras, Greece; Marinaro, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Papatheodorou, G.; Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology, University of Patras, Greece Abstract: Considerable seepage of natural gas occurs throughout the Katakolo Bay, both at sea and on land, along the Ionian coast of Peloponnesus (Western Greece). Explosive levels of CH4 and toxic concentrations of H2S accumulating in the ground, pose a severe hazard for humans and tourist infrastructures. A wide offshore and onshore gas survey, including marine remote sensing, underwater exploration by a towed instrumented system, compositional and isotopic analyses, and flux measurements of gas, allowed us to assess that: (a) gas seepage takes place along two main normal faults; (b) offshore side-scan sonographs recorded at least 823 gas bubble plumes over an area of 94,200 m2, at depths ranging from 5.5 to 16 m; (c) offshore and onshore seeps release the same type of thermogenic gas (δ13CCH4~−34 to −36‰); (d) offshore gas showed increased stable carbon isotopic ratio of CO2 and propane, which suggests enhanced biodegradation of hydrocarbons; (e) isotopic data combined with thermogenic gas generation modeling and maturity plots, suggest that the gas is related to a deep Petroleum System with Jurassic carbonate reservoirs, Triassic source rocks, and Triassic evaporites; (f) H2S (δ34S: +2.4‰) is produced by thermochemical sulfate reduction in deep anhydrites, in contact with hydrocarbon-rich carbonates; (g) due to the shallow depth, more than 90% of CH4 released at the seabed enters the atmosphere, consistent with theoretical bubble dissolution models, with a mean plume output of 0.12 kg d−1; total offshore CH4 output was estimated in the range of 33 to 120 t y−1; and (h) in the onshore area at least 50 gas vents in the harbor and a large seep on the adjacent Faros hill, emit in total about 89 t CH4 y−1. Katakolo results to be one of the biggest thermogenic gas seepage zones in Europe. 2013-02-14T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8629 Title: Methane uncovered Authors: Etiope, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia Abstract: Methane emissions from natural gas reservoirs have long been largely overlooked. The discovery of abundant geological gas seeps in areas of cryosphere degradation highlights the relevance of these emissions to the greenhouse gas budget. 2012-05-31T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8613 Title: The European land and inland water CO2, CO, CH4 and N2O balance between 2001 and 2005 Authors: Luyssaert, S.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Abril, G.; Laboratoire EPOC, Environnements et Pal´eoenvironnements Oc´eaniques et Continentaux, UMR5805, CNRS, Universit´e de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; Andres, R.; Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6290, USA; Bastviken, D.; Link¨oping University, The Department of Thematic Studies – Water and Environmental Studies, 586 62 Link¨oping, Sweden; Bellassen, V.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Bergamaschi, P.; European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra (VA), Italy; Bousquet, P.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Chevallier, F.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Ciais, P.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Corazza, M.; European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra (VA), Italy; Dechow, R.; Johann Heinrich von Th¨unen-Institut, Institute for Agricultural Climate Research, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany; Erb, K.-H.; Alpen-Adria Universitaet Klagenfurt-Vienna-Graz, Institute of Social Ecology Vienna (SEC), Schottenfeldgasse 29, 1070 Vienna, Austria; Etiope, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Fortems-Cheiney, A.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Grassi, G.; European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra (VA), Italy; Hartmann, J.; Institute for Biogeochemistry and Marine Chemistry, KlimaCampus, University of Hamburg, Bundesstrasse 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany; Jung, M.; Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Biogeochemical Processes, P.O. Box 100164, 07701 Jena, Germany; J. Lathiére, J.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Lohila, A.; Finnish Meteorological Institute, Climate Change Research, P.O. Box 503, 00101 Helsinki, Finland; Mayorga, E.; University of Washington, Applied Physics Laboratory, Box 355640, Seattle, WA 98105-6698, USA; Moosdorf, N.; Institute for Biogeochemistry and Marine Chemistry, KlimaCampus, University of Hamburg, Bundesstrasse 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany; Njakou, D. S.; University of Antwerp, Researchgroup Plant and Vegetation Ecology, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Otto, J.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Papale, D.; University of Tuscia, Department for innovation in biological, agro-food and forest systems (DIBAF), Via S. Camillo de Lellis, snc- 01100 Viterbo, Italy; Peters, W.; Wageningen University, Meteorology and Air Quality, Droevendaalsesteenweg 4, 6700 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Peylin, P.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Raymond, P.; Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Rödenbeck, C.; Max Planck Institute for biogeochemistry, Biogeochemical Systems Department, P.O. Box 100164, 07701 Jena, Germany; Saarnio, S.; University of Eastern Finland, Department of Biology and Finnish Environment Institute, the Joensuu Office, PL 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland; Schulze, E.-D.; Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Biogeochemical Processes, P.O. Box 100164, 07701 Jena, Germany; Szopa, S.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Thompson, R.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Verkerk, P. J.; European Forest Institute, Sustainability and Climate Change Programme, Torikatu 34, 80100 Joensuu, Finland; Vuichard, N.; CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, UMR8212 – Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE), Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Wang, R.; Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Wattenbach, M.; Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre For Geosciences, Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany; Zaehle, S.; Max Planck Institute for biogeochemistry, Biogeochemical Systems Department, P.O. Box 100164, 07701 Jena, Germany Abstract: Globally, terrestrial ecosystems have absorbed about 30% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions over the period 2000–2007 and inter-hemispheric gradients indicate that a significant fraction of terrestrial carbon sequestration must be north of the Equator. We present a compilation of the CO2, CO, CH4 and N2O balances of Europe following a dual constraint approach in which (1) a landbased balance derived mainly from ecosystem carbon inventories and (2) a land-based balance derived from flux measurements are compared to (3) the atmospheric data-based balance derived from inversions constrained by measurements of atmospheric GHG (greenhouse gas) concentrations. Good agreement between the GHG balances based on fluxes (1294±545 Tg C in CO2-eq yr−1), inventories (1299±200 Tg C in CO2-eq yr−1) and inversions (1210±405 Tg C in CO2-eq yr−1) increases our confidence that the processes underlying the European GHG budget are well understood and reasonably sampled. However, the uncertainty remains large and largely lacks formal estimates. Given that European net land to atmosphere exchanges are determined by a few dominant fluxes, the uncertainty of these key components needs to be formally estimated before efforts could be made to reduce the overall uncertainty. The net land-to-atmosphere flux is a net source for CO2, CO, CH4 and N2O, because the anthropogenic emissions by far exceed the biogenic sink strength. The dual-constraint approach confirmed that the European biogenic sink removes as much as 205±72 Tg C yr−1 from fossil fuel burning from the atmosphere. However, This C is being sequestered in both terrestrial and inland aquatic ecosystems. If the C-cost for ecosystem management is taken into account, the net uptake of ecosystems is estimated to decrease by 45% but still indicates substantial C-sequestration. However, when the balance is extended from CO2 towards the main GHGs, C-uptake by terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is offset by emissions of non-CO2 GHGs. As such, the European ecosystems are unlikely to contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. 2012-08-23T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8612 Title: Geologic carbon sources may confound ecosystem carbon balance estimates: Evidence from a semiarid steppe in the southeast of Spain Authors: Rey, A.; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.; Etiope, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Belelli-Marchesini, L.; Dipartimento per l’Innovazione nei Sistemi Biologici, Agroalimentari e Forestali (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.; Papale, D.; Dipartimento per l’Innovazione nei Sistemi Biologici, Agroalimentari e Forestali (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.; Valentini, R.; Dipartimento per l’Innovazione nei Sistemi Biologici, Agroalimentari e Forestali (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy. Abstract: At a semiarid steppe site located in the SE of Spain, relatively large CO2 emissions were measured that could not be attributed to the ecosystem activity alone. Since the study site was located in a tectonically active area, it was hypothesized that a part of the measured CO2 was of geologic origin. This investigation included a survey of soil CO2 efflux, together with carbon isotope analyses of the CO2 in the soil atmosphere, soil CO2 efflux (i.e., Keeling plots), groundwater and local thermal springs. These measurements confirmed the hypothesis of degassing from geologic sources. In areas with local faults and ancient volcanic structures, soil CO2 efflux rates were significantly higher (i.e., up to 6.3 and 1.4 mmol CO2 m 2 s 1) than measurements in a comparable site that was some distance from fault sites (means of 1.0 and 0.43 mmol CO2 m 2 s 1 in March and June, respectively). The CO2 concentration in the soil atmosphere at the eddy covariance site reached 0.14% v/v at 0.70 m soil depth with a 13C-enriched isotopic composition (d13C from 10.2‰ to 16.6‰), consistent with the isotopic composition of the soil CO2 efflux estimated by Keeling plots (i.e., 16.6‰). 13C-enriched CO2 also occurred in local aquifers, and there was evidence of degassing from deep crust and mantle at regional scale by the helium isotopic ratio in spring waters located about 30 km (R/Ra: 0.12) and 200 km (R/Ra: 0.95) NW of the eddy covariance site. This study highlights the importance of considering CO2 sources of geologic origin when assessing the net ecosystem carbon balance of sites that may possibly be affected by circulation of such CO2-rich fluids. 2012-09-26T22:00:00Z