The fate of volcanic ash aggregates: premature or delayed sedimentation?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Rossi ◽  
Frances Beckett ◽  
Costanza Bonadonna ◽  
Gholamhossein Bagheri
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Fall Velocity ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Aggregation Processes ◽  
Lagrangian Dispersion ◽  
Theoretical Evidence

<p>Most volcanic ash produced during explosive volcanic eruptions sediments as aggregates of various types that typically have a greater fall velocity than the particles of which they are composed. As a result, aggregation processes are commonly known to affect the sedimentation of fine ash by considerably reducing its residence time in the atmosphere. Nonetheless, speculations also exist in the literature that aggregation does not always result in a premature sedimentation of their constitute particles but that it can also result in a delayed sedimentation (i.e. the so-called rafting effect). However, previous studies have considered rafting as a highly improbable phenomenon due to a biased representation of aggregate shapes.</p><p>Here we provide the first theoretical evidence that rafting may not only occur, but it is probably more common than previously thought, helping to elucidate often unexplained field observations. Starting from field evidence of rafted aggregates at Sakurajima Volcano (Japan), we clarify the conditions for which aggregation of volcanic ash results either in a premature or a delayed sedimentation.</p><p>Moreover, using the Lagrangian dispersion model NAME, we show the practical consequences of rafting on the final sedimentation distance of aggregates with different morphological features. As an application we chose the case study of the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano (Iceland), for which rafting can increase the travel distances of ash <500 m up 3.7 times with respect to sedimentation of individual particles.</p><p>These findings have fundamental implications both for real-time forecasting and long-term hazard assessment of volcanic ash dispersal and sedimentation and for weather modelling. The constraints on rafting presented and discussed in this work will help the scientific community to clarify the often unexpected role of aggregation in creating a delayed sedimentation of coarse ash.</p>

scholarly journals Impacts of Volcanic Eruptions around the Korean Peninsula: A Long-term Simulation Study for Hypothetical Eruption Scenarios

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 361-371
Author(s):  
Kihyun Park ◽  
Byung-Il Min ◽  
Sora Kim ◽  
Jiyoon Kim ◽  
Kyung-Suk Suh
Keyword(s):  
Korean Peninsula ◽  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Summer Season ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Dose Assessment ◽  
Ash Transport

To build a response against potential volcanic risks around Korea, we developed a three-dimensional Volcanic Ash Transport and Dispersion Model (VATDM), known as the Lagrangian Atmospheric Dose Assessment System-Volcanic Ash (LADAS-VA) model. Using the LADAS-VA model, we performed numerous simulations for multiple year-round hypothetical eruptions of several representative volcanoes around the Korean peninsula. We analyzed the simulation results and revealed the impacts of hypothetical volcanic eruptions on the Korean peninsula as counting the number of days influenced by the season. Overall simulations for hypothetical volcanic eruptions around the Korean peninsula revealed that the most impactful eruptions would potentially occur during the summer season. Long-term simulations examining hypothetical eruption scenarios at least over a decade must be conducted to enable the analysis of deviations on a year-on-year basis, in comparison with the climatological normals.

scholarly journals Determination of time- and height-resolved volcanic ash emissions and their use for quantitative ash dispersion modeling: the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4333-4351 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Stohl ◽  
A. J. Prata ◽  
S. Eckhardt ◽  
L. Clarisse ◽  
A. Durant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
General Nature ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Dispersion Modeling ◽  
Source Information ◽  
European Area ◽  
Ash Dispersion

Abstract. The April–May, 2010 volcanic eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland caused significant economic and social disruption in Europe whilst state of the art measurements and ash dispersion forecasts were heavily criticized by the aviation industry. Here we demonstrate for the first time that large improvements can be made in quantitative predictions of the fate of volcanic ash emissions, by using an inversion scheme that couples a priori source information and the output of a Lagrangian dispersion model with satellite data to estimate the volcanic ash source strength as a function of altitude and time. From the inversion, we obtain a total fine ash emission of the eruption of 8.3 ± 4.2 Tg for particles in the size range of 2.8–28 μm diameter. We evaluate the results of our model results with a posteriori ash emissions using independent ground-based, airborne and space-borne measurements both in case studies and statistically. Subsequently, we estimate the area over Europe affected by volcanic ash above certain concentration thresholds relevant for the aviation industry. We find that during three episodes in April and May, volcanic ash concentrations at some altitude in the atmosphere exceeded the limits for the "Normal" flying zone in up to 14 % (6–16 %), 2 % (1–3 %) and 7 % (4–11 %), respectively, of the European area. For a limit of 2 mg m−3 only two episodes with fractions of 1.5 % (0.2–2.8 %) and 0.9 % (0.1–1.6 %) occurred, while the current "No-Fly" zone criterion of 4 mg m−3 was rarely exceeded. Our results have important ramifications for determining air space closures and for real-time quantitative estimations of ash concentrations. Furthermore, the general nature of our method yields better constraints on the distribution and fate of volcanic ash in the Earth system.

scholarly journals The role of airborne volcanic ash for the surface ocean biogeochemical iron-cycle: a review

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 6441-6489 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Duggen ◽  
N. Olgun ◽  
P. Croot ◽  
L. Hoffmann ◽  
H. Dietze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Ash Deposition ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Iron Cycle ◽  
Surface Ocean ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract. Iron is a key micronutrient for phytoplankton growth in the surface ocean. Yet the significance of volcanism for the marine biogeochemical iron-cycle is poorly constrained. Recent studies, however, suggest that offshore deposition of airborne ash from volcanic eruptions is a way to inject significant amounts of bio-available iron into the surface ocean. Volcanic ash may be transported up to several tens of kilometres high into the atmosphere during large-scale eruptions and fine ash may encircle the globe for years, thereby reaching even the remotest and most iron-starved oceanic areas. Scientific ocean drilling demonstrates that volcanic ash layers and dispersed ash particles are frequently found in marine sediments and that therefore volcanic ash deposition and iron-injection into the oceans took place throughout much of the Earth's history. The data from geochemical and biological experiments, natural evidence and satellite techniques now available suggest that volcanic ash is a so far underestimated source for iron in the surface ocean, possibly of similar importance as aeolian dust. Here we summarise the development of and the knowledge in this fairly young research field. The paper covers a wide range of chemical and biological issues and we make recommendations for future directions in these areas. The review paper may thus be helpful to improve our understanding of the role of volcanic ash for the marine biogeochemical iron-cycle, marine primary productivity and the ocean-atmosphere exchange of CO2 and other gases relevant for climate throughout the Earth's history.

The role of geology and climate in soil nutrient variability - potential drivers for large ungulate migrations in the Serengeti ecosystem (Northern Tanzania, East Africa)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen Eckmeier ◽  
Simon Kübler ◽  
Akida Meya ◽  
Stephen Mathai Rucina
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
East African ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Serengeti Ecosystem ◽  
Geological Processes ◽  
Basement Rocks ◽  
Nutrient Variability ◽  
Archean Basement

<p>The East African Serengeti ecosystem hosts a great range of mammals and one of the world’s largest seasonal ungulate movements, with over 1.3 wildebeest and several hundreds of thousands of zebras and antelopes migrating through the region in a regular pattern. While climatic and biological drivers for this migration have been studied in great detail, the role of rock chemistry, weathering and resulting soil diversity as a source for nutrient provision has so far been largely neglected and needs detailed and systematic study.</p><p>Geological processes provide important controls on long-term ecosystem dynamics. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and rock weathering influence soil edaphic properties, which represent the ability of soils to provide vital plant-available nutrients, which therefore control grazing patterns of herbivores, particularly during birthing and lactating seasons. Studying the geological role in providing and distributing essential nutrients is critical to understand long-term drivers and stability of animal migrations in dynamic ecosystems. We have carried out a field reconnaissance study in the Serengeti National Park, with the aim to study variations in nutrient variability in soils and vegetation in relation to the chemical composition of soil parent material, i.e. volcanic or metamorphic rocks and sediments derived from those rock units, and under consideration of climatic variations. First results show that the Serengeti ecosystem can be subdivided into three geo-edaphic subregions that correlate with seasonal wildebeest grazing habitats.</p><p>(1) The southeastern Serengeti (wet-season grazing), is characterized by soils developed on volcanic ash derived from recent eruptions of the Ol Doinjo Lengai carbonatite volcano. Here, we have identified deeper organic-rich soils with andic and vitric properties and varying amounts of carbonate concretions or near-surface calcrete horizons. High Na, K, and Ca levels of volcanic ashes suggest high levels of those elements in soils and vegetation in this region, also because the precipitation is lowest in this area.</p><p>(2) In the central Serengeti (short-term transitional grazing), soils develop on Archean basement rocks including granitic gneisses, phyllites and banded iron formations. Geochemical signatures of these rock types suggest that soils in this region have lower levels in Ca, Mg, and plant available P, compared to the SE Serengeti, which is supported by the transitional nature of this grazing habitat.</p><p>(3) Soils in the Northern Serengeti (dry-season grazing) develop on a diverse patchwork of Archean basement rocks as well as basaltic lavas and thick fluvial deposits. North of Mara river, the Insuria fault – a large normal fault of the East African Rift  - creates a wide sedimentary basin dominated by soils developed on basaltic sediments. Here, higher precipitation leads to stronger weathering and leaching of nutrient elements.</p><p>Our preliminary results suggests that geochemical variations together with continuous (syngenetic) pedogenesis through active volcanism or tectonic faulting and related fault scarp erosion created regions of high edaphic quality in the north and southeast of the Serengeti ecosystem, and that the patchy nature of soil edaphics is important to understand the underlying drivers of large scale migration of grazing animals in this region. </p>

scholarly journals LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO AIR POLLUTION AND THE RISK OF DEMENTIA: THE ROLE OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S119-S119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Rizzuto ◽  
Giulia Grande ◽  
Petter Ljungman ◽  
Tom Bellander
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
National Study ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Aim: We aimed to investigate the association between long-term air pollution and cognitive decline and dementia, and to clarify the role of CVD on the studied association. Methods: We examined 3150 dementia-free 60+ year-olds in the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen, Stockholm for up to 13 years, during which 363 persons developed dementia. Outdoor air pollution levels at the home address were assessed yearly for all participants, using a dispersion model for nitrogen oxides (NOX), mainly emitted from road traffic. Mixed-effect linear regression models were used to quantify the association between air pollution and cognitive decline (with the Mini Mental State Examination). The risk of dementia, in keeping with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV edition, was estimated using competing-risks models, considering death as competing event, and considering an exposure window 0-5 years before a year at risk. Stratified analyses by CVD were also performed. Results: Higher levels of traffic-related residential air pollution were associated with steeper cognitive decline over the follow-up period. After controlling for potential confounders, higher levels of air pollution were associated with increased risk of dementia (HR: 1.13, 95%CI: 1.05-1.22, for an µg/m3 unit increase NOX). The stratified analyses showed that the presence of CVD enhanced the effect of air pollution on dementia risk. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution was associated with a higher risk of dementia. Cardiovascular disease might have played a role in this association.

scholarly journals Characterization of a volcanic ash episode in southern Finland caused by the Grimsvötn eruption in Iceland in May 2011

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 24933-24968 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.-M. Kerminen ◽  
J. V. Niemi ◽  
H. Timonen ◽  
M. Aurela ◽  
A. Frey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Particle Analysis ◽  
Satellite Measurements ◽  
Volcanic Origin ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Volcanic Material ◽  
Micron Particle ◽  
Mass Concentrations

Abstract. The volcanic eruption of Grimsvötn in Iceland in May 2011, affected surface-layer air quality at several locations in Northern Europe. In Helsinki, Finland, the main pollution episode lasted for more than 8 h around the noon of 25 May. We characterized this episode by relying on detailed physical, chemical and optical aerosol measurements. The analysis was aided by air mass trajectory calculations, satellite measurements, and dispersion model simulations. During the episode, volcanic ash particles were present at sizes from less than 0.5 μm up to sizes >10 μm. The mass mean diameter of ash particles was a few μm in the Helsinki area, and the ash enhanced PM10 mass concentrations up to several tens of μg m−3. Individual particle analysis showed that some ash particles appeared almost non-reacted during the atmospheric transportation, while most of them were mixed with sea salt or other type of particulate matter. Also sulfate of volcanic origin appeared to have been transported to our measurement site, but its contribution to the aerosol mass was minor due the separation of ash-particle and sulfur dioxide plumes shortly after the eruption. The volcanic material had very little effect on PM1 mass concentrations or sub-micron particle number size distributions in the Helsinki area. The aerosol scattering coefficient was increased and visibility was slightly decreased during the episode, but in general changes in aerosol optical properties due to volcanic aerosols seem to be difficult to be distinguished from those induced by other pollutants present in a continental boundary layer. The case investigated here demonstrates clearly the power of combining surface aerosol measurements, dispersion model simulations and satellite measurements in analyzing surface air pollution episodes caused by volcanic eruptions. None of these three approaches alone would be sufficient to forecast, or even to unambiguously identify, such episodes.

scholarly journals Modeling volcanic ash aggregation processes and related impacts on the April–May 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull volcano with WRF-Chem

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2721-2737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean D. Egan ◽  
Martin Stuefer ◽  
Peter W. Webley ◽  
Taryn Lopez ◽  
Catherine F. Cahill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Collision Kernel ◽  
Aggregation Process ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
Aggregation Processes ◽  
Ash Transport

Abstract. Volcanic eruptions eject ash and gases into the atmosphere that can contribute to significant hazards to aviation, public and environment health, and the economy. Several volcanic ash transport and dispersion (VATD) models are in use to simulate volcanic ash transport operationally, but none include a treatment of volcanic ash aggregation processes. Volcanic ash aggregation can greatly reduce the atmospheric budget, dispersion and lifetime of ash particles, and therefore its impacts. To enhance our understanding and modeling capabilities of the ash aggregation process, a volcanic ash aggregation scheme was integrated into the Weather Research Forecasting with online Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model. Aggregation rates and ash mass loss in this modified code are calculated in line with the meteorological conditions, providing a fully coupled treatment of aggregation processes. The updated-model results were compared to field measurements of tephra fallout and in situ airborne measurements of ash particles from the April–May 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, Iceland. WRF-Chem, coupled with the newly added aggregation code, modeled ash clouds that agreed spatially and temporally with these in situ and field measurements. A sensitivity study provided insights into the mechanics of the aggregation code by analyzing each aggregation process (collision kernel) independently, as well as by varying the fractal dimension of the newly formed aggregates. In addition, the airborne lifetime (e-folding) of total domain ash mass was analyzed for a range of fractal dimensions, and a maximum reduction of 79.5 % of the airborne ash lifetime was noted.

scholarly journals The role of airborne volcanic ash for the surface ocean biogeochemical iron-cycle: a review

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 827-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Duggen ◽  
N. Olgun ◽  
P. Croot ◽  
L. Hoffmann ◽  
H. Dietze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Ash Deposition ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Iron Cycle ◽  
Surface Ocean ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract. Iron is a key micronutrient for phytoplankton growth in the surface ocean. Yet the significance of volcanism for the marine biogeochemical iron-cycle is poorly constrained. Recent studies, however, suggest that offshore deposition of airborne ash from volcanic eruptions is a way to inject significant amounts of bio-available iron into the surface ocean. Volcanic ash may be transported up to several tens of kilometers high into the atmosphere during large-scale eruptions and fine ash may stay aloft for days to weeks, thereby reaching even the remotest and most iron-starved oceanic regions. Scientific ocean drilling demonstrates that volcanic ash layers and dispersed ash particles are frequently found in marine sediments and that therefore volcanic ash deposition and iron-injection into the oceans took place throughout much of the Earth's history. Natural evidence and the data now available from geochemical and biological experiments and satellite techniques suggest that volcanic ash is a so far underestimated source for iron in the surface ocean, possibly of similar importance as aeolian dust. Here we summarise the development of and the knowledge in this fairly young research field. The paper covers a wide range of chemical and biological issues and we make recommendations for future directions in these areas. The review paper may thus be helpful to improve our understanding of the role of volcanic ash for the marine biogeochemical iron-cycle, marine primary productivity and the ocean-atmosphere exchange of CO2 and other gases relevant for climate in the Earth's history.

scholarly journals Oceanic origins for wintertime Euro-Atlantic blocking

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayako Yamamoto ◽  
Masami Nonaka ◽  
Patrick Martineau ◽  
Akira Yamazaki ◽  
Young-Oh Kwon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Atlantic Origin ◽  
Lagrangian Dispersion ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
Heat And Moisture

Abstract. Although conventionally attributed to dry dynamics, increasing evidence points to a key role of moist dynamics in the formation and maintenance of blocking events. The source of moisture crucial for these processes, however, remains elusive. In this study, we identify the moisture sources responsible for latent heating associated with the wintertime Euro-Atlantic blocking events detected over 31 years (1979–2010). To this end, we track atmospheric particles backward in time from the blocking centres for a period of 10 days, using an offline Lagrangian dispersion model applied to an atmospheric reanalysis data. The analysis reveals that 36–55 % of particles gain a massive amount of heat and moisture from the ocean over the course of 10 days. Via large-scale ascent, these moist particles transport low potential vorticity (PV) air of low-altitude, low-latitude origins to the upper troposphere where the amplitude of blocking is the most prominent, consistent with the previous studies. PV of these moist particles remains significantly lower compared to their dry counterparts throughout the course of 10 days, preferentially constituting blocking cores. Further analysis reveals that approximately two-thirds of the moist particles source their moisture locally from the Atlantic, while the remaining one-third from the Pacific. The Gulf Stream and Kuroshio and their extensions, as well as the eastern Pacific northeast of Hawaii, not only provide heat and moisture to the particles but also act as springboards for their large-scale, cross-isentropic ascent. While the particles of the Atlantic origin swiftly ascend just before their arrival at the blocking, those of the Pacific origin ascend additional few days earlier, after which they carry low PV in the same manner as dry particles. Thus, our study reveals that what may appear to be a blocking maintenance mechanism governed by dry dynamics alone can, in fact, be of moist origin.

Recent insights into the interactions between the baroreflex and the kidneys in hypertension

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (4) ◽  
pp. R828-R836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Lohmeier ◽  
Drew A. Hildebrandt ◽  
Susan Warren ◽  
Paul J. May ◽  
J. Thomas Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Arterial Pressure ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Secondary Hypertension ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Renal Nerves ◽  
Excretory Function ◽  
Clinical Hypertension ◽  
Theoretical Evidence

Recent findings in chronically instrumented animals challenge the classic concept that baroreflexes do not play a role in the chronic regulation of arterial pressure. As alterations in renal excretory function are of paramount importance in the chronic regulation of arterial pressure, several of these recent studies have focused on the long-term interactions between the baroreflex and the kidneys during chronic perturbations in arterial pressure and body fluid volumes. An emerging body of evidence indicates that the baroreflex is chronically activated in several experimental models of hypertension, but in most cases, the duration of these studies has not exceeded 2 wk. Although these studies suggest that the baroreflex may play a compensatory role in attenuating the severity of the hypertension, possibly even in primary hypertension with uncertain causes of sympathetic activation, there has been only limited assessment of the quantitative importance of this interaction in the regulation of arterial pressure. In experimental models of secondary hypertension, baroreflex suppression of renal sympathetic nerve activity is sustained and chronically promotes sodium excretion. This raises the possibility that the renal nerves may be the critical efferent link for baroreceptor-induced suppression of central sympathetic output through which long-term compensatory reductions in arterial pressure are produced. This contention is supported by strong theoretical evidence but must be corroborated by experimental studies. Finally, although it is now clear that pressure-induced increases in baroreflex activity persist for longer periods of time than previously suggested, studies using new tools and novel approaches and extending beyond 2 wk of hypertension are needed to elucidate the true role of the baroreflex in the pathogenesis of clinical hypertension.

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