Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Volcanic System

A geochemical investigation was undertaken at Mt. Etna Volcano to better define groundwater characteristics of its aquifers. Results indicate that the Na?Mg ± Ca-HCO3− ± (SO42− or Cl−) type accounts for more than 80% of the groundwater composition in the volcano. The remaining 20% is characterized by elevated Ca2+. Waters along coastal areas are enriched in SO42− or Cl−, mainly due to mixing with seawater and anthropogenic effects. The majority of the samples showed values between −4% to −9% for δ18O and −19? to −53% for δ2H, suggesting that precipitation is the predominant source of recharge to the aquifers, especially in the west of the study area. The analysis of δ13C and pCO2 shows values 1 to 3 times higher than those expected for waters in equilibrium with the atmosphere, suggesting a partial gas contribution from deep sources. The diffusion of gasses is likely to be controlled by tectonic structures in the volcano. The ascent of deep brines is also reflected in the CO2 enrichment (up to 2.2 bars) and enriched δ2H/δ18O compositions observed in the salt mounts of Paternò.Fil: Bellia, Carmelo . National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. Geological Survey of Japan; JapónFil: Gallardo, Adrian Hugo. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Departamento de Geologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Yasuhara, Masaya . National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. Geological Survey of Japan; JapónFil: Kazahaya, Kohei . National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. Geological Survey of Japan; Japó

Pathways for Escape of Magmatic Carbon Dioxide to Soil Air at Unzen Volcano, SW Japan

From the 18th International Radiocarbon Conference held in Wellington, New Zealand, September 1-5, 2003.Estimation of the magmatic contribution to soil air at Unzen Volcano, SW Japan, was carried out using carbon isotopes, both 14C and 13C, and a mixing model of isotopic mass balance in order to assess the spatial variation of magmatic influence from the volcano. The advantage of using soil air samples is that a wide range of gas sampling sites can be selected. Magmatic CO2 contributed mostly in the eastern region from Unzen Volcano. The high magmatic contribution to soil air appeared along the Akamatsudani fault zone located southeast of the volcano. Our observations across the fault also showed remarkable peaks of CO2 concentration and delta-13C values, suggesting that magmatic fluid comes up along the fracture zone as for the normal fault system of the graben.The Radiocarbon archives are made available by Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202

Pathways for Escape of Magmatic Carbon Dioxide to Soil Air at Unzen Volcano, SW Japan

From the 18th International Radiocarbon Conference held in Wellington, New Zealand, September 1-5, 2003.Estimation of the magmatic contribution to soil air at Unzen Volcano, SW Japan, was carried out using carbon isotopes, both 14C and 13C, and a mixing model of isotopic mass balance in order to assess the spatial variation of magmatic influence from the volcano. The advantage of using soil air samples is that a wide range of gas sampling sites can be selected. Magmatic CO2 contributed mostly in the eastern region from Unzen Volcano. The high magmatic contribution to soil air appeared along the Akamatsudani fault zone located southeast of the volcano. Our observations across the fault also showed remarkable peaks of CO2 concentration and delta-13C values, suggesting that magmatic fluid comes up along the fracture zone as for the normal fault system of the graben.The Radiocarbon archives are made available by Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202

Chemical and isotopic composition of fumarolic gases at Iwate volcano, Japan, during and after seismic activity in 1998: implications for the modification of ascending volcanic gases

In 1998, there were many volcanic earthquakes recorded at Iwate volcano, Japan. Although an eruption was anticipated, it never occurred. Fumarolic gases were sampled at the volcano on six occasions during 1998 and 1999, and were analyzed for their chemical compositions and isotope ratios. The fumarolic gases were again sampled in 2004 and 2006, after the period of seismic activity. The HCl concentrations and isotope ratios of the H2O in the gas samples collected from an active geothermal area at the volcano were high in 1998 and 1999, but decreased significantly after 2004, irrespective of the relatively stable concentrations of CO2 and sulfur-bearing gases. A notable feature of the fumarolic gases is the high isotope ratio of H2O, similar to that of pure magmatic gas, which is typical of andesitic volcanoes, although the temperature at the outlet was less than 146°C in the present case. These features can be explained if the enthalpy of the magmatic gas was equivalent to that of water vapor at 252°C to 370°C under a pressure of 1 bar. The correlations observed among CO2/H2O and HCl/H2O, and the δ18O values of the fumarolic gases suggest partial condensation of H2O vapor during the ascent of the volcanic gas to the surface. The estimated CO2/H2O molar ratio of the magmatic gas was 0.008, which is less than the 0.03 reported previously for magmatic gas sampled during an effusive eruption at Unzen volcano, Japan. These data suggest that the magma at Iwate volcano is depleted in volatiles, because CO2 is preferentially degassed from the silicate melt relative to H2O. Such depletion in CO2 might explain the failed eruption at Iwate volcano in 1998

Mixing of magmatic CO2 into volcano groundwater flow at Aso volcano assessed combining carbon and water stable isotopes

To understand deep groundwater flow systems and their interaction with CO2 emanated from magma at depth in a volcanic edifice, deep groundwater samples were collected from hot spring wells in the Aso volcanic area for hydrogen, oxygen and carbon isotope analyses and measurements of the stable carbon isotope ratios and concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Relations between the stable carbon isotope ratio (δ13CDIC) and DIC concentrations of the sampled waters show that magma-derived CO2 mixed into the deep groundwater. Furthermore, groundwaters of deeper areas, except samples from fumarolic areas, show higher δ13CDIC values. The waters' stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios (δD and δ18O) reflect the meteoric-water origin of that region's deep groundwater. A negative correlation was found between the altitude of the well bottom and the altitude of groundwater recharge as calculated using the equation of the recharge-water line and δD value. This applies especially in the Aso-dani area, where deeper groundwater correlates with higher recharge. Groundwater recharged at high altitude has higher δ13CDIC of than groundwater recharged at low altitude, strongly suggesting that magmatic CO2 is present to a much greater degree in deeper groundwater. These results indicate that magmatic CO2 mixes into deeper groundwater flowing nearer the magma conduit or chamber