A distinct metal fingerprint in arc volcanic emissions

Edmonds, Marie and Mather, Tamsin A. and Liu, Emma J. (2018) A distinct metal fingerprint in arc volcanic emissions. Nature Geoscience. ISSN 1752-0894 DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-018-0214-5

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Abstract

As well as gases that regulate climate over geological time, volcanoes emit prodigious quantities of metals into the atmosphere, where they have key roles as catalysts, pollutants and nutrients. Here we compare measurements of arc basaltic volcano metal emissions with those from hotspot settings. As well as emitting higher fluxes of metals (similar to those building ore deposits), these arc emissions possess a distinct compositional fingerprint, particularly rich in tungsten, arsenic, thallium, antimony and lead when compared with those from hotspots. We propose that volcanic metal emissions are controlled by magmatic water content and redox: hydrous arc magmas that do not undergo sulfide saturation yield metal-rich, saline aqueous fluid; shal- low degassing and resorption of late-stage sulfides feeds volcanic gases in Hawai’i and Iceland. Although global arc magma chemistries vary considerably, our findings suggest that volcanic emissions in arcs have a distinct fingerprint when compared with other settings. A shift in global volcanic metal emissions may have occurred in Earth’s past as more oxidized, water-rich magmas became prevalent, influencing the surface environment.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2018AREP; IA73
Subjects:	05 - Petrology - Igneous, Metamorphic and Volcanic Studies
Divisions:	05 - Petrology - Igneous, Metamorphic and Volcanic Studies 08 - Green Open Access
Journal or Publication Title:	Nature Geoscience
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-018-0214-5
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	04 Sep 2018 10:37
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2018 10:37
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/4319

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