Environmental Pollution Due to Natural Factors: A Case Study in A Volcanic Area (Vulcano Island, Italy)

A major influence on the environment of active volcanic areas is expected from continuous input of chemical species pertaining to fumarolic activities occurring during inter-eruptive intervals. The systematic investigations carried out during thirteen years in the island of Vulcano (Italy) showed also substantial contributions to phreatic waters and soils of minor constituents and trace metals from volcanic rocks with no negligible influence on growing crops. Greater extents of these phenomena have been observed for products of hydromagmatic volcanic activity or of long-lasting weathering processes.