Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/C510967/1
Sulphur degassing from volcanoes; insights from experimental and spectroscopic studies.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor SC Kohn, University of Bristol, Earth Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor ME Smith, University of Southampton, Research and Innovation Services
- Grant held at:
- University of Bristol, Earth Sciences
- Science Area:
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Volcanic Processes
- Properties Of Earth Materials
- Geohazards
- Abstract:
- Volcanic eruptions are probably the most spectacular demonstrations of the dynamic nature of our planet. They provide Earth Scientists with a wealth of evidence about the way the Earth behaves and emissions of gasses such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) play an important role in the balance of atmospheric composition which controls our climate. However, as the human population grows, many millions of people are now living close to active volcanoes and are in severe danger if unexpected eruptions occur. Many volcanoes are therefore monitored continuously and one of the main tools for prediction eruptions is analysis of the amount and compositions of gas which is emitted. In particular, measurements of SO2 are very widely used, because there is normally very little SO2 in the atmosphere, so any SO2 which is detected, must come from the volcano. In contrast, it is hard to distinguish between water and carbon dioxide released by the volcano and water and carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere. These measurements are very useful, but to make the most of them we need to fully understand how they are released from the molten magma, and at what depth in the volcano. The aim of this research is therefore to study the way SO2 and other sulphur containing gases are dissolved in molten rocks. We plan to simulate the high pressure and temperature conditions below a volcano, in order to dissolve sulphur into simplified molten rock compositions, then to rapidly cool the samples so that the arrangements of atoms in the molten material is approximately preserved in a solid glass form. The glasses will then be studied with a range of state-of-the-art techniques which will enable the arrangements of the atoms to be deduced. By looking at glasses with different chemical compositions, and performing the high pressure and temperature experiments with different pressures and vary degrees of oxidation, a model for the mechanism of incorporation of S into silicate melts will be produced for the first time. We then plan to perform experiments to look at the solubility of sulphur and chlorine in specific magma compositions from Mt. Etna in Sicily. This will enable us to combine our fundamental studies of the mechanism of incorporation of sulphur in melts with the field measurements of SO2 and S/Cl ratio which are continuously made by the volcanologists who work full-time on monitoring Etna. Ultimately, the aim of our work is to enable people to interpret the degassing signatures of volcanoes, such as Etna, in terms of processes occurring deep within the volcano. This will make predictions of eruptions based on gas emissions much more reliable, and when combined with other types of measurements could reduce the number of false alarms and save lives.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/C510967/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £236,635
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £5,161 | £115,963 | £62,169 | £53,343 |
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