April–May 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcanic fallout over Rimini, Italy

Located at a distance of approximately 3200 km from Iceland, where the Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted, Italy was affected by volcanic ash transported by middle altitude air masses across Europe. Volcanic emissions from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in April 2010 were detected in Rimini (44° 2′ 28" N, 12° 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, Tl, 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 Eyjafjallajökull 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 Eyjafjallajökull volcano.

► Eyjafjallajökull volcanic fallout was detected in Rimini, Italy, in April 2010.
► We carried out atmospheric bulk deposition sampling.
► We combined back trajectory modelling, grain size, SEM and chemical data.
► All results agree with similar studies carried out by other scientists.
► The Eyjafjallajökull ash plume had an impact at surface level in Italy, as elsewhere.