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PM10 measurements in urban settlements after lava fountain episodes at Mt. Etna, Italy: pilot test to assess volcanic ash hazard to human health
Language
English
Obiettivo Specifico
4V. Vulcani e ambiente
Status
Published
JCR Journal
JCR Journal
Title of the book
Issue/vol(year)
/16(2016)
ISSN
1561-8633
Electronic ISSN
1684-9981
Pages (printed)
29-40
Issued date
2016
Keywords
Abstract
We have carried out a preliminary study on the potential risks caused by
the sub-10 mu m fraction of volcanic ash (particulate matter, PM10)
after the basaltic explosive eruptions from Mt. Etna volcano (Italy),
which have dramatically increased in frequency over the last 20 years.
We present results deriving from the study of the ash concentration in
the air following the lava fountain episode from the New Southeast
Crater of Etna on 15 November 2011, which caused tephra fallout over the
eastern slope of the volcano. Short-duration tests of PM10 measurements
were carried out at three different sites using a TSI (R) DustTrak (TM)
aerosol monitor a few hours after the end of the eruption, and readouts
of the air quality were repeated at the same sites a month later without
volcanic activity. Furthermore, ash samples were characterized by grain
size, componentry and morphological and petrochemical analyses.
By comparing PM10 levels measured a few hours after the 15 November lava
fountain and on 15 December, we found that relatively low amounts
(500-1500 gm(-2)) of tephra fallout cause high levels of PM10 in the
air. This is because the coarse particles, particularly basaltic ash,
are readily broken up by traffic and hence remobilized into the air. We
believe the impact from ash fallout in the Etnean territory should
receive greater attention, especially regarding potential health
problems. Simple but effective actions can be implemented to reduce
eventual risks, first and foremost the prompt removal of the ash
deposits from the urbanized areas.
the sub-10 mu m fraction of volcanic ash (particulate matter, PM10)
after the basaltic explosive eruptions from Mt. Etna volcano (Italy),
which have dramatically increased in frequency over the last 20 years.
We present results deriving from the study of the ash concentration in
the air following the lava fountain episode from the New Southeast
Crater of Etna on 15 November 2011, which caused tephra fallout over the
eastern slope of the volcano. Short-duration tests of PM10 measurements
were carried out at three different sites using a TSI (R) DustTrak (TM)
aerosol monitor a few hours after the end of the eruption, and readouts
of the air quality were repeated at the same sites a month later without
volcanic activity. Furthermore, ash samples were characterized by grain
size, componentry and morphological and petrochemical analyses.
By comparing PM10 levels measured a few hours after the 15 November lava
fountain and on 15 December, we found that relatively low amounts
(500-1500 gm(-2)) of tephra fallout cause high levels of PM10 in the
air. This is because the coarse particles, particularly basaltic ash,
are readily broken up by traffic and hence remobilized into the air. We
believe the impact from ash fallout in the Etnean territory should
receive greater attention, especially regarding potential health
problems. Simple but effective actions can be implemented to reduce
eventual risks, first and foremost the prompt removal of the ash
deposits from the urbanized areas.
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article
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