Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Transport of volcanic aerosol in the troposphere: The case study of the 2002 Etna plume

TitleTransport of volcanic aerosol in the troposphere: The case study of the 2002 Etna plume
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsVillani, Maria Gabriella, Mona L., Maurizi A., Pappalardo G., Tiesi A., Pandolfi M., D'Isidoro Massimo, Cuomo V., and Tampieri F.
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres
Volume111
ISSN01480227
Keywordsaerosol composition, aerosol formation, Atmospheric aerosols, atmospheric transport, Basilicata, Computer simulation, Eurasia, Europe, Italy, lidar, Mathematical models, Mediterranean Sea, numerical model, Particulate emissions, plume, Potenza, Sedimentation, Southern Europe, Sulfur compounds, Transport properties, troposphere, volcanic aerosol, Volcanoes
Abstract

The transport of aerosol in the troposphere during the 2002 eruption of Mount Etna was investigated integrating lidar observations and numerical simulations. The case study concentrates on the period 30 October to 2 November. The lidar observations performed in Potenza, Italy, reveal the presence of aerosol layers made up of young sulfate particles and a low soot content, characteristic of the volcano's emission. Downward large-scale motion was measured, with a velocity larger than that due to gravitational sedimentation. Forward trajectories from the volcano simulated from 27 October to 4 November show that particles released at the beginning of the period reached Potenza after traveling over the southern and western Mediterranean basin (partially including the Sahara region); direct northward transport occurred on 31 October and 1 November. The main result of this study is to highlight how the integrated use of observations and model simulations leads to understanding the main features of transport in this case study. Furthermore, some specific points are outlined. There is fair agreement between the simulated and observed presence of particles over Potenza. The vertical structure of the aerosol layers and the downward motion are also well evidenced. Time variations of the particle concentration deduced from measurements and approximately estimated from the numerical simulations also show qualitative agreement. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union.

Notes

cited By 14

URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34250901702&doi=10.1029%2f2006JD007126&partnerID=40&md5=a53d15b30c39cd74c6b6a53e92acc6c2
DOI10.1029/2006JD007126
Citation KeyVillani2006