Diffuse CO2 Emission at Sfânta Ana Lake-Filled Crater (Eastern Carpathians, Romania)

In the framework of studies on gas emissions, the surface and time distribution of carbon dioxide flux represent an important geochemical tool for volcanic activity monitoring. Ciomadu volcano, located on the southern part of Eastern Carpathians, witnesses the most recent eruption in the whole Carpathian range. In order to understand the actual behavior and to assess the present phase of this extinct volcano, the diffuse CO2 flux near Sfânta Ana Lake was measured using the closed chamber method. Carbon dioxide flux values ranged from about 2 g m-2 day-1 up to 90 g m-2 day-1. The measurements were performed in different places by respect to the Sfânta Ana crater. The results show a tendency of increase in carbon dioxide flux starting from the flank toward the crater, with the highest values located close to the shore lake. A carbon dioxide flux distribution map for the measurements inside the crater was produced, that reveals a particular pattern distribution of CO2 flux.