Mt. Erebus, the largest point source of NO2 in Antarctica

Oppenheimer, C. and Kyle, P. R. and Tsanev, V. I. and McGonigle, A. J. S. and Mather, T. A. and Sweeney, D. (2005) Mt. Erebus, the largest point source of NO2 in Antarctica. Atmospheric Environment, 39. pp. 6000-6006. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.06.036

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Abstract

We report here the first observations of NO2 emission from Mt. Erebus, a volcano with an active lava lake located on Ross Island, Antarctica. Erebus generates a persistent plume, which is entrained at an altitude of about 4 km above sea level. Its NO2 flux, measured by scattered light ultraviolet spectroscopy in December 2003, was equivalent to not, vert, similar0.6 Gg (N) yr−1. The total reactive nitrogen supply may be significantly higher than this since other NOy species are likely to have been present in the plume. We believe the NO2 is generated by thermal fixation of atmospheric nitrogen at the hot lava surface, forming NO, which then reacts rapidly with oxidants including ozone to yield NO2. Erebus volcano has displayed lava lake activity for many decades and may, therefore, play a significant long-term role in Antarctic tropospheric chemistry, and represent an important source of nitrogen deposited to the ice surface.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2005 AREP 2005 P IA49
Subjects:	05 - Petrology - Igneous, Metamorphic and Volcanic Studies
Divisions:	05 - Petrology - Igneous, Metamorphic and Volcanic Studies
Journal or Publication Title:	Atmospheric Environment
Volume:	39
Page Range:	pp. 6000-6006
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.06.036
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	11 Nov 2010 15:41
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2013 09:59
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/1766

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