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Non‐volcanic CO 2 Earth degassing: Case of Mefite d'Ansanto (southern Apennines), Italy
Author(s) -
Chiodini G.,
Granieri D.,
Avino R.,
Caliro S.,
Costa A.,
Minopoli C.,
Vilardo G.
Publication year - 2010
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 - 10.1029/2010gl042858
Subject(s) - volcano , geology , flux (metallurgy) , natural gas , natural (archaeology) , geochemistry , hydrology (agriculture) , earth science , environmental science , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry
Mefite d'Ansanto, southern Apennines, Italy is the largest natural emission of low temperature CO 2 rich gases, from non‐volcanic environment, ever measured in the Earth. The emission is fed by a buried reservoir, made up of permeable limestones and covered by clayey sediments. We estimated a total gas flux of ∼2000 tons per day. Under low wind conditions, the gas flows along a narrow natural channel producing a persistent gas river which has killed over a period of time people and animals. The application of a physical numerical model allowed us to define the zones which potentially can be affected by dangerous CO 2 concentration at breathing height for humans. The geometry of the Mefite gas reservoir is similar to those designed for sequestering CO 2 in geological storage projects where huge amounts of CO 2 should be injected in order to reduce atmospheric CO 2 concentration. The approach which we have used at Mefite to define hazardous zones for the human health can be applied also in case of large CO 2 leakages from storage sites, a phenomena which, even if improbable, can not be ruled out.