April-May 2010 Eyjafjallajokull volcanic fallout over Rimini, Italy

Located at a distance of approximately 3200 km from Iceland, where the Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted, Italy was affected by volcanic ash transported by middle altitude air masses across Europe. Volcanic emissions from the Eyjafjallajokull eruption in April 2010 were detected in Rimini (44 degrees 2' 28 '' N, 12 degrees 34' 3 '' E) (Italy) by means of in-situ measurements (sampling of bulk depositions). Sampling was carried out during the period April August 2010, and the following parameters were determined: grain size, TSP, mineralogy, particle morphology and chemical content in terms of Br-, Cl-, F-, SO42-, Al, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K. Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S. Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Tb, Te, Ti, TI, U, V, Y, Zn and Zr. Information from the Hysplit-NOAA back trajectory helped to identify the origin of the air mass. The results obtained from the observations are in good agreement with similar studies carried out by other European scientists, confirming that the Eyjafjallajokull ash plume also had a surface impact in Italy. The findings of our study support observations made by researchers of the CNR-IMAA Atmospheric Observatory at the EARLINET station in Southern Italy and enlarge the geographical area known to have been affected by fallout from the April May 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.