A Case Study of Ionic Components in the Size-resolved Ambient Particles Collected Near the Volcanic Crater of Sakurajima, Japan

• Main Authors: Chang-Jin Ma, Ki-Hyun Kim, Gong-Unn Kang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Asian Association for Atmospheric Environment 2010-09-01
• Series: Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• Subjects: sakurajima; volcano; size-resolved particle; ionic component; chlorine loss
• Online Access: http://asianjae.org/_common/do.php?a=full&b=11&bidx=1587&aidx=19991

In this study, the ionic composition of volcanogenically derived particles and their temporal and spatial distributions have been investigated to evaluate the impact of the volcanic eruption on the local ecosystem and residents. To this end, an intensive field study was conducted to measure the size-segregated particulate matters at the east part of Sakurajima in Japan. Fractionated sampling of particles into >PM10, PM10-2.5, and PM2.5 was made by a multi nozzle cascade impactor (MCI). The concentration of various ions present in the size-resolved particles was determined by Ion chromatography. The time dependent 3-dimensional Volcanic Ash Forecast Transport And Dispersion (VAFTAD) model developed by the NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) indicated that the sampling site of this work was affected by the volcanic aerosol particles plume. The temporal distributions of sulfate and PM2.5 during the field campaign were significantly variable with important contributions to particle mass concentration. The chlorine loss, suspected to be caused by acidic components of volcanic gases, occurred predominantly in fine particles smaller than 10 μm.