Sulfur dioxide and particles in quiescent volcanic plumes from Poás, Arenal, and Colima Volcanos, Costa Rica and Mexico

Authors:
  • TCThomas J. Casadevall
    Thomas J. Casadevall
  • WFWilliam H. Fuller
    William H. Fuller
  • WHWilliam H. Hunt
    William H. Hunt
  • MHMark A. Hart
    Mark A. Hart
  • JMJarvis L. Moyers
    Jarvis L. Moyers
  • DWDavid C. Woods
    David C. Woods
  • RCRaymond L. Chuan
    Raymond L. Chuan
  • JFJames P. Friend
    James P. Friend
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Abstract
Measurements of SO2 emission rates and concentrations and of particle distribution, size, shape, and composition were made in quiescent volcanic plumes emitted into the troposphere from Poás and Arenal volcanos, Costa Rica, and Colima volcano, Mexico. SO2 emission rates were 700±180 metric tons per day (t/d) for Poás, 210±30 t/d for Arenal, and 320±50 t/d for Colima. The concentrations of SO2 calculated from the COSPEC/lidar data were 5–380 ppb. Concentrations of SO2 measured directly by flame photometry were 10–250 ppb. Particles collected in the plumes with a quartz crystal microbalance impactor were mostly less than 3 μm in diameter and consisted of droplets of dilute sulfur‐bearing solutions and minor amounts of larger silicate particles coated with a sulfur‐bearing film or crust. Total particle concentrations were 4.7 μg/m3 for Poás and 18.8 μg/m3 for Colima. Comparison of concentrations of SO2 in the plumes with gas samples collected at fumaroles on the ground suggests that the plumes are diluted by the atmosphere by factors of up to 105.

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