Hydrogen sulphide as a natural air contaminant in volcanic/geothermal areas: the case of Sousaki, Corinthia (Greece)

D’Alessandro, W.; Brusca, L.; Kyriakopoulos, K.; Michas, Georgios; Papadakis, G.

doi:10.1007/s00254-008-1453-3

Cited by 26 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The area is yearly visited by many tens of thousands of tourists, but the zones where they arrive show GEM concentrations rarely exceeding the MRL. Areas exceeding the WHO guideline value of 1000 ng/m 3 are very close to the main fumarolic vents where tourists are not allowed to go and where other toxic gases of higher danger are present (i.e., H 2 S [19]). Moreover, people who work all day in the area (ticket operators, owner, and employees of the Volcano Café) spend most of their time in areas with atmospheric GEM concentrations well below the occupational limits and generally also below the MRL.…”

Section: Environmental and Human Health Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Degassing and Cycling of Mercury at Nisyros Volcano (Greece)

et al. 2019

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Nisyros Island (Greece) is an active volcano hosting a high-enthalpy geothermal system. During June 2013, an extensive survey on Hg concentrations in different matrices (fumarolic fluids, atmosphere, soils, and plants) was carried out at the Lakki Plain, an intracaldera area affected by widespread soil and fumarolic degassing. Concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), together with H2S and CO2, were simultaneously measured in both the fumarolic emissions and the atmosphere around them. At the same time, 130 samples of top soils and 31 samples of plants (Cistus creticus and salvifolius and Erica arborea and manipuliflora) were collected for Hg analysis. Mercury concentrations in fumarolic gases ranged from 10,500 to 46,300 ng/m3, while Hg concentrations in the air ranged from high background values in the Lakki Plain caldera (10-36 ng/m3) up to 7100 ng/m3 in the fumarolic areas. Outside the caldera, the concentrations were relatively low (2-5 ng/m3). The positive correlation with both CO2 and H2S in air highlighted the importance of hydrothermal gases as carrier for GEM. On the other hand, soil Hg concentrations (0.023-13.7 μg/g) showed no significant correlations with CO2 and H2S in the soil gases, whereas it showed a positive correlation with total S content and an inverse one with the soil pH, evidencing the complexity of the processes involving Hg carried by hydrothermal gases while passing through the soil. Total Hg concentrations in plant leaves (0.010-0.112 μg/g) had no direct correlation with soil Hg, with Cistus leaves containing higher values of Hg with respect to Erica. Even though GEM concentrations in the air within the caldera are sometimes orders of magnitude above the global background, they should not be considered dangerous to human health. Values exceeding the WHO guideline value of 1000 ng/m3 are very rare (<0.1%) and only found very close to the main fumarolic vents, where the access to tourists is prohibited.

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Section: Environmental and Human Health Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the last decades, many authors underlined the correlation between Hg and H 2 S in discharged hydrothermal fluids (e.g., [18]), as testified by the formation of solid cinnabar (HgS) at the fumarolic vents. Hydrogen sulphide is a toxic pollutant; it is corrosive and poses severe concerns for human health [19,20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degassing and Cycling of Mercury at Nisyros Volcano (Greece)

et al. 2019

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“…Nowadays, there are 162 geothermal central heating systems in the European Union (247 in the whole of Europe, including The opponents of geothermal energy put forth as their main argument its impact on the environment [13]. However, neglecting the possible presence of some gases (which may occur in certain local situations [14]), it can be considered that the technologies for the extraction of geothermal energy have virtually no GHG emissions, the only potential source of emissions being the fluid extracted from the underground [15,16]. The exploitation of a modern binary power plant or a system for direct use of the fluid for heating purposes causes insignificant CO 2 emissions [17,18].…”

Section: Eu Energy Imports and The Renewable Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contribution of Geothermal Resources to Energy Autonomy: Evaluation and Management Methodology

Topliceanu

Puiu

2016

Energies

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Abstract:The development of renewable energy is one of the aspirations of the European Union energy policy, being generated by the struggle against climatic changes and by the intention of achieving a high rate of energy autonomy. In this context, geothermal energy is a viable solution which has been little exploited so far. Analysing the EU's dependence on imported energy, the paper provides a short review of the utilization of geothermal energy, of the advantages and of the problems raised by the exploitation of this resource. It also analyzes the availability of this resource in Romania and the contribution it can have towards the energy autonomy of local communities. The paper presents a particular methodology for calculating the energy autonomy. Using this methodology, one can obtain an energetic overview of the community or the area analyzed, can calculate the degree of energy autonomy and, based on the results achieved, a sustainable development strategy can be designed. The low enthalpy case study used emphasizes the way this methodology can be deployed and, moreover, allows an analysis of the contribution of geothermal energy to the degree of autonomy of the Romanian community.

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“…10,11 Most of the H 2 S on the earth is naturally occurring. Volcanic and geothermal activities emit a signicant amount of H 2 S. 12,13 Crude petroleum, natural gas, and some hot springs also contain H 2 S. 14,15 Meanwhile, only 10% of H 2 S emission in the atmosphere is due to human activities such as petroleum reneries, sewage plants, disposal facilities, and pulp/paper operations. [16][17][18] It is known that a few ppmv (parts per million by volume) through 20 ppmv is the borderline concentration for eye irritation.…”

Section: Surface Modied Annular Wet Denudermentioning

confidence: 99%