This article reports fractal dimension analysis applied to soil CO2 fluxes measured in an Italian seismic area. The work was carried out with the use of a calibrated flux chamber unit. The fractal dimension (FD) from isotropic variograms was used as a method to understand related scale-dependent phenomena. The aim was to investigate the spatial variability of CO2 flux measurements in four directions (horizontal, vertical, 45° and 135° directions) related to different distances between the measuring points and from a fault. High fractal dimension values were found (2.5 ≤ FD ≤ 3.0). These imply strong anti-persistent behavior near to and far from the fault. Lower fractal dimensions were addressed at longer distances from the fault.
This paper reports a review on the relationship between seismic activity and the emissions of CO2 and radon. Direct, indirect and sampling methods are mainly employed to measure CO2 flux and concentration in seismic areas. The accumulation chamber technique is the mostly used in the literature. Radon gas emission in seismic areas can be considered as a short-term pre-seismic precursor. The study and the measurement of radon gas activity prior to earthquakes can be performed through active techniques, with the use of high-precision active monitors and through passive techniques with the use of passive detectors. Several investigators report models to explain the anomalous behavior of in-earth fluid gasses prior to earthquakes. Models are described and discussed.
<p>The continuous acquisition of CO<sub>2</sub>&#160;soil flux data has been started on Mt Etna in November 2021, with the aim of assessing a first balance between CO<sub>2</sub> from volcanic and biological origin. Our long-term goal is an interdisciplinary study of volcanic, biological, ecological, biogeochemical, climatic and biogeographical aspects, including the anthropogenic impact on the environment. All aspects are integrated in the study of the so-called&#160;<em>Critical Zone</em>, i.e. the layer between the deep rock and the top of the vegetation where the main biological, hydrological and geological processes of the ecosystem take place.&#160;The new research activity at Mt Etna is performed within the framework of the PON-GRINT project for infrastructure enhancement (EU, MIUR), and it adds up to activities going on at Grand Paradiso National Park (Italian Alps), and Ny Alesund (Svalbard, NO, High Arctic) in the framework of the IGG-CNR Critical Zone Observatories.</p><p>During the first phase of the project, two fixed stations were installed in two sites at Piano Bello (Valle del Bove, Milo), in an area where the endemic <em>Genista aetnensis</em> grows. An Eddy Covariance system for net CO<sub>2</sub>&#160;ecosystem exchange measurement and a weather station will be installed in 2022. Carbon stable isotopes data will be acquired periodically using in-situ instrumentation (i.e. Delta Ray).&#160;&#160;The installation sites are selected after CO<sub>2</sub>&#160;soil flux surveys around the volcano using a portable accumulation chamber. The two stations installed at Piano Bello consist of an automatic accumulation chamber fixed to the ground, a mobile lid with a diffusion infrared sensor for measuring CO<sub>2</sub>, a data logger and a sensor for measuring soil moisture and temperature. The accumulation chambers are programmed to acquire data on ecosystem respiration every hour for all day. Data are transmitted to the IGG data collection center. The new IGG-CNR Mt Etna CZO will contribute investigating CO<sub>2</sub>&#160;fluxes at the soil-vegetation-atmosphere interface in different geological and environmental contexts.&#160;We benefit from the collaboration with the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV),&#160;the <em>Ente Parco dell'Etna, and the Dipartimento Regionale dello Sviluppo Rurale e Territoriale</em><em>&#160;di Catania</em>.</p>
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