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A comparison of volcanic with other fluxes of atmospheric trace gas constituents
Author(s) -
Cadle Richard D.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/rg018i004p00746
Subject(s) - volcano , trace gas , atmosphere (unit) , atmospheric sciences , volcanic gases , environmental science , biosphere , fumarole , earth science , geology , environmental chemistry , chemistry , geochemistry , meteorology , geography , ecology , biology
Estimates of the average annual rates of emissions of various trace atmospheric constituents to the atmosphere by volcanoes are made and compared with estimates of the fluxes from other sources. On a global scale, volcanic fluxes are for the most part minor in comparison with those of other sources. The substances considered are SO 2 , H 2 S, COS, CS 2 , HCl, HF, HBr, H 2 , CO, CO 2 , Hg vapor, and organic compounds. During and following a volcanic eruption the concentrations locally and regionally may greatly exceed those usually found in the atmosphere and have disastrous effects on the biosphere. A surprising finding is that estimated values of global annual volcanic SO 2 fluxes have increased and estimates of biogenic fluxes have decreased until similar values are being obtained for the two sources.