EMISSION OF ELEMENTAL GOLD PARTICLES FROM MOUNT EREBUS, ROSS ISLAND, ANTARCTICA

Volcanoes are an important source of gases and aerosols in the atmosphere. Significant quantities of trace elements are emitted as vapor species [Nriagu, 1989; Symonds et al., 1987] and are strongly enriched in the gas relative to the magma [Tazieff and Sabroux, 1983; Crowe et al., 1987]. After eruption the trace elements condense on ash and other particles or they form sublimates and agglomerates. Here we report on the emission of gold (Au) from Mount Erebus, Antarctica. Although the flux of emitted Au is low compared to other volcanoes, crystalline particulate Au has been found in the plume near the crater, in ambient air up to 1000 km from the volcano and in near surface samples. Vapor phase transport of Au may occur as a chloride species and could be an important transport mechanism in crystallizing magmatic intrusions.