Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

We present here new measurements of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide emissions from Vulcano, Etna, and Stromboli (Italy), made by direct sampling at vents and by filter pack and ultraviolet spectroscopy in downwind plumes. Measurements at the F0 and FA fumaroles on Vulcano yielded SO2/H2S molar ratios of 0.38 and 1.4, respectively, from which we estimate an H2S flux of 6 to 9 for the summit crater. For Mt. Etna and Stromboli, we found SO2/H2S molar ratios of 20 and 15, respectively, which combined with SO2 flux measurements, suggest H2S emission rates of 50 to 113 and 4 to 8, respectively. We observe that source and plume SO2/H2S ratios at Vulcano are similar, suggesting that hydrogen sulfide is essentially inert on timescales of seconds to minutes. This finding has important implications for estimates of volcanic total sulfur budget at volcanoes since most existing measurements do not account for H2S emission.

Sulphur speciation in volcanic gases acts as a major redox buffer, and H2S/SO2 ratios represent a valuable indicator of magmatic conditions and interactions between magmatic and hydrothermal fluids. However, measurement of H2S/SO2 even by direct sampling techniques, is not straightforward. We report here on application of a small ultraviolet spectrometer for real-time field measurement of H2S and SO2 concentrations, using open-path and extractive configurations. The device was tested at fumaroles on Solfatara and Vulcano, Italy, in November 2002. H2S concentrations of up to 220ppmm(400 ppmv) were measured directly above the Bocca Grande fumarole at Solfatara, and H2S/SO2 molar ratios of 2 and 2.4, respectively, were determined for the ‘F11’ and ‘F0’ fumaroles at Vulcano. In comparison with other optical techniques capable of multiple volcanic gas measurements, such as laser and FTIR spectroscopy, this approach is considerably simpler and cheaper, with the potential for autonomous, sustained hightime resolution operation.