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UP: Fachverband Umweltphysik

UP 4: Trace gases and greenhouse gases

UP 4.1: Invited Talk

Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 11:00–11:30, HS 22

Volcanic Gases - Telegrams of the inner Earth and the secrets of bromine — •Nicole Bobrowski — IUP, Universität Heidelberg, Germany — MPI-C, Mainz, Germany

The presentation starts with a general introduction on current possibilities and difficulties to read and interpret geochemical data with view on volcanic activity focusing on open conduit volcanoes. Then I will focus on bromine as one trace element in volcanic volatiles. Bromine has a considerable environmental impact, in particular on atmospheric chemistry and composition. The discovery of the highest atmospheric BrO mixing ratio in volcanic plumes (up to ppb in 2002) was followed by a revival of interest on volcanic plume chemistry. Such a discovery and follow up investigation were possible due to advances in volcanic remote sensing techniques, in particular, miniaturized DOAS instruments. The possibility of continuous measurements by automated instruments located at safe distances from the volcano lead additionally to relatively easily gained long-term data sets. Therefore, an increased interest developed in the volcanic community to investigate the bromine-sulfur ratio as a potential tracer of volcanic activity.

This presentation attempts to provide a comprehensive summary on volcanic bromine data of the last 15 years achieved from established and cutting edge measurement techniques as well as their treatment and interpretation in recent model experiments (atmospheric chemistry and volcanology). It points out controversially discussed relation of bromine degassing to volcanic activity and puts a light on remaining uncertainties.