Fumarolic aerosols from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii

As part of a geochemical survey of Kilauea, an active Hawaiian volcano, aerosol samples were collected in February 1979, a quiescent period, from several fumaroles within the caldera and along border faults. Measurements of gaseous emmisions and physical parameters were also made by volcanologists from the French Centre Nationale de Recherche Scientifique and the U.S. Geological Survey. Portable and self-contained equipment, including pumps, batteries and cascade impactors, was used for the aerosol collection. Results are reported here for 16 samples analyzed at the Florida State University using particle induced X-ray emission for a dozen or more elements including Si, P, Cl, and Fe. These analyses are among the first for size fractionated particles from volcanic activity. The six size fractions (from < 0.25 to > 8.0 μm particle diameter) collected by single orifice cascade impactors enable differentation to be made between primary aerosols converted from gases and reentrained particles from the ground that are swept into the plume. (orig.)