The effects of volcanic ash on COSPEC measurements

Data from a series of laboratory experiments show the relationships between measured correlation spectrometer (COSPEC) sulfur-dioxide (SO2) burdens, automatic gain control (AGC) deflections, and visible wavelength opacities in ash-laden plumes. The data show that the COSPEC reliably measures (within a 10% accuracy) SO2 burdens up to AGC deflections of 2 V and visible wavelength opacities of 50%. Beyond these limits, the under measurement of the SO2 burden is not well constrained. During typical COSPEC runs, these limits are rarely violated. The 10% error introduced by measuring ash-laden plumes is acceptable because the error is small relative to other error sources associated with the technique, especially plume velocity; and the error is correctable which allows for a wider range of plume conditions to be measured. results imply that the densest SO2 concentrations near the volcanic source can be measured. This is important so that SO2 is not lost from the volcanic plume due to physical and chemical processes and that measurements are conducted under maximum signal to noise ratios.