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Presence of sulfite (S IV ) in arc magmas: Implications for volcanic sulfur emissions
Author(s) -
Métrich Nicole,
BonninMosbah Michelle,
Susini Jean,
Menez Bénédicte,
Galoisy Laurence
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2001gl014607
Subject(s) - sulfur , volcano , basalt , melt inclusions , sulfide , mantle (geology) , geochemistry , geology , sulfate , sulfite , volcanic gases , sulfur dioxide , mineralogy , earth science , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry
The outstanding production of sulfur dioxide at arc volcanoes is not satisfactorily explained by most of the geochemical models involving the magmatic redox conditions. It is commonly accepted that sulfur is transported mainly as sulfide (S II− ) and/or sulfate (S VI ) by mantle‐derived melts, before being released as SO 2 and/or H 2 S in volcanic emissions. We present the first experimental evidence that other S‐species coexist in water‐rich arc basalts, by using X‐ray microspectroscopy of olivine‐hosted melt inclusions. In particular, we propose a new model involving sulfite (S IV ) as the intermediate species dissolved in basaltic melts which results in highly efficient partitioning of sulfur into volcanic gas emissions at the origin of excess sulphur degassing observed at arc basaltic volcanoes.