Mercury Analyser for Volcanic Research

Spectronic Analytical Instruments [Spectronic] has recently supplied the Department of Earth Sciences at Oxford University with laboratory instruments to further its vital research into mercury emissions from volcanoes.

Oxford is a leading centre for research in volcanology, and for the past three years, Dr Tamsin Mather, Dr Melanie Witt and Professor David Pyle have been researching the quantity of mercury dispersed into the earth’s atmosphere during non-explosive degassing (no opportunity has occurred to safely sample emissions from an explosive eruption). At the crater rim, most of the mercury is in the form of gaseous elemental mercury, which has an extended atmospheric lifetime and can be transported long distances from its source. Humans are mainly exposed to mercury through contaminated foodstuffs. Out of all toxic elements, mercury (Hg) is the largest human health concern and volcanic emissions are a significant source of Hg on a worldwide scale.

The Department of Earth Sciences makes high time frequency measurements using a Lumex RA 915+ Hg Analyser. From these measurements the department can record the variability of Hg emissions.

Spectronic is the sole UK distributor for Lumex, the international manufacturer of first-class scientific instruments. The RA-915+ Hg Analyser is a unique, all-purpose, high sensitivity analytical instrument for environmental monitoring in laboratory or field conditions. Using state of the art software, it has a wide measuring range, and is controlled by a keypad or computer. It is especially useful for the realtime detection of mercury vapour in air and water. Portable and multifunctional, the Lumex RA 915+ analyser is enabling the Department of Earth Sciences to conduct real time monitoring and detection of mercury vapour.

Dr Tamsin Mather comments: “Oxford University has a long history of research into volcanic processes. I first became interested in mercury emissions after conversations with an Arctic mercury scientist in 2002. Professor David Pyle and I then wrote a review paper on the subject and successfully obtained a research grant which allowed Melanie to get involved in 2005.

“The nature of this research means we need to measure real time Hg concentrations to compare with other real time gas measurements (for example, SO2 and CO2) at volcanoes in order to look at the way Hg levels varied compared to these other chemical species. We have also started to look at mercury levels in the marine and urban atmosphere and river water and vegetation samples, with the PYRO915+ pyrolyser and RP-91 liquid attachments also supplied by Spectronics. The Lumex RA-915+ Hg Analyser is a versatile instrument that meets all our needs.”

Mark Brereton from Spectronic comments: “We have specialised in the supply and maintenance of an extensive range of scientific
instruments for over 36 years, and give high priority to product knowledge and customer care.”