High emission rate of sulfuric acid from Bezymianny volcano, Kamchatka

Research at Bezymianny volcano, Kamchatka, reveals exceptionally high sulfuric acid (H2SO4) emissions, averaging 243 ± 75 tons per day alongside SO2 emissions of 212 ± 65 tons per day. This discovery challenges conventional understanding of volcanic plume composition, as H2SO4 constitutes a significant portion—up to 87 mol%—of the total sulfur content in fumarolic gases. The study employed direct sampling, filter pack sampling, and differential optical absorption spectroscopy to quantify these emissions, which are difficult to measure remotely. The high H2SO4 levels suggest catalytic oxidation of SO2 within the volcanic dome, indicating complex chemical processes at play. This finding underscores the need for more accurate remote sensing techniques to account for sulfate aerosol in volcanic plumes.

Zelenski, M., Taran, Y., & Galle, B. (2015). High emission rate of sulfuric acid from Bezymianny volcano, Kamchatka. Geophysical Research Letters, 42(17), 7005–7013. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015gl065340