The 2018 Mt. Mayon eruption: A physicochemical characterization of inhalable ash particles collected in Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines

Authors

  • Jellie Ayz Abundo Beo ⋅ PH Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Edanjarlo Marquez ⋅ PH Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Sarah Johnson ⋅ PH Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Astrid Korina Gabo-Gianan ⋅ PH Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Migel Antonio Catalig ⋅ PH Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Manila and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde

Abstract

Volcanic ash is considered a respiratory hazard because of its potentially bio-toxic components and size.  In this investigation, a personal cascade impactor with an air pump was used to collect airborne ash particles from an evacuation center in Legazpi City, Albay during the unrest of Mt. Mayon on 8 February 2018. The PM2.5 mass concentration for the site (42.79 µg/m3) exceeded the prescribed 24-hour-averaged 25 µg/m3 WHO limit while the PM10 mass concentration (45.54 µg/m3) is within the 50 µg/m3 WHO limit. The size distribution of ash particles indicated that fine-grained ash (0.5-1.0 µm) had the highest contribution to total particulate count. Elemental analysis via Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometer identified the following elements: C, N, O, F, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mo in the volcanic ash.

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Article ID

SPP-2020-2F-06

Section

Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science

Published

2020-10-19

How to Cite

[1]
JAA Beo, E Marquez, S Johnson, AK Gabo-Gianan, and MA Catalig, The 2018 Mt. Mayon eruption: A physicochemical characterization of inhalable ash particles collected in Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 38, SPP-2020-2F-06 (2020). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2020-2F-06.