High SO2 flux, sulfur accumulation, and gas fractionation at an erupting submarine volcano

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 2011 High SO2 flux, sulfur accumulation, and gas fractionation at an erupting submarine volcano David A. Butterfield; David A. Butterfield 1University of Washington, Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO), Box 354925, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ko-ichi Nakamura; Ko-ichi Nakamura 2National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3058567, Japan Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Bokuichiro Takano; Bokuichiro Takano 3University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Tokyo, Japan Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Marvin D. Lilley; Marvin D. Lilley 4University of Washington, School of Oceanography, Box 357940, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John E. Lupton; John E. Lupton 5National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (NOAA/PMEL), 2115 SE OSU Drive, Newport, Oregon 97365, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Joseph A. Resing; Joseph A. Resing 1University of Washington, Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO), Box 354925, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Kevin K. Roe Kevin K. Roe 1University of Washington, Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO), Box 354925, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2011) 39 (9): 803–806. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31901.1 Article history received: 12 Nov 2010 rev-recd: 15 Mar 2011 accepted: 28 Mar 2011 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation David A. Butterfield, Ko-ichi Nakamura, Bokuichiro Takano, Marvin D. Lilley, John E. Lupton, Joseph A. Resing, Kevin K. Roe; High SO2 flux, sulfur accumulation, and gas fractionation at an erupting submarine volcano. Geology 2011;; 39 (9): 803–806. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G31901.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Strombolian-style volcanic activity has persisted for six years at the NW Rota-1 submarine volcano in the southern Mariana Arc, allowing direct observation and sampling of gas-rich fluids produced by actively degassing lavas, and permitting study of the magma-hydrothermal transition zone. Fluids sampled centimeters above erupting lava and percolating through volcaniclastic sediments around an active vent have dissolved sulfite >100 mmol/kg, total dissolved sulfide <30 μmol/kg, pH as low as 1.05, and dissolved Al and Fe >1 mmol/kg. If NW Rota is representative of submarine arc eruptions, then volcanic vent fluids from seawater-lava interaction on submarine arcs have a significant impact on the global hydrothermal flux of sulfur and Al to the oceans, but a minimal impact on Mg removal. Gas ratios (SO2, CO2, H2, and He) are variable on small spatial and temporal scales, indicative of solubility fractionation and gas scrubbing. Elemental sulfur (Se) is abundant in solid and molten form, produced primarily by disproportionation of magmatic SO2 injected into seawater. Se accumulates within the porous rock surrounding the lava conduit connecting the magma source to the seafloor. Accumulated Se can be heated, melted, and pushed upward by rising magma to produce molten Se flows and lavas saturated with Se. Molten Se near the top of the lava conduit may be ejected up into the water column by escaping gases or boiling water. This mechanism of Se accumulation and refluxing may underlie the relatively widespread occurrence of Se deposits of many sizes found on submarine arc volcanoes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.