Measurements of mercury in atmosphere in surroundings of active volcano Stromboli, Panarea, Italy / 20.06.2022

Volcanoes with accompanying phenomena are main natural source of Hg in the atmosphere that contribute several hundred tonnes of Hg on yearly basis. Within the collaboration with Istituto Nazionale Geofisica e Vulcanologia from Palermo (INGV), Italy, and CNRS, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography from Marseille (MIO), France, in the last week of May, Asst. Prof. Dr. Jože Kotnik performed measurements of Hg in atmosphere on several locations around active volcano Stromboli over marine surface as well on nearby island Panarea.

Measurements were done over thermal springs, solfataras and fumaroles that are accompanying phenomena of active volcanism. Water samples were taken and will be analysed in laboratories of MIO.

Hg in air was elevated in comparison of unpolluted regions, and clearly shows sources and contribution typical for volcanic and accompanying activities.