Volatile organic compounds in solfataric gases

A gas chromatographic study has revealed the presence in volcanic gases of a variety of volatile organic compounds. Of particular interest is the detection of such halocarbons as trichlorofluoromethane (F-11), dichlorodifluoromethane (F-12), dichlorofluoromethane (F-21), CCl4 and CHCl3. The concentrations of these compounds attaining 160 ppb in undilute solfataric gases were determined for the first time. The data obtained confirm the existence of a natural source of halocarbons that have a long lifetime in the troposphere and that play an important role in the greenhouse effect and in the catalytic cycle of destruction of stratospheric ozone.

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