A global map of species at risk of extinction due to natural hazards.

An often-overlooked question of the biodiversity crisis is how natural hazards contribute to species extinction risk. To address this issue, we explored how four natural hazards, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, overlapped with the distribution ranges of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles that have either narrow distributions or populations with few mature individuals. To assess which species are at risk from these natural hazards, we combined the frequency and magnitude of each natural hazard to estimate their impact. We considered species at risk if they overlapped with regions where any of the four natural hazards historically occurred (n = 3,722). Those species with at least a quarter of their range subjected to a high relative impact were considered at high risk (n = 2,001) of extinction due to natural hazards. In total, 834 reptiles, 617 amphibians, 302 birds, and 248 mammals were at high risk and they were mainly distributed on islands and in the tropics. Hurricanes (n = 983) and earthquakes (n = 868) affected most species, while tsunamis (n = 272), and volcanoes (n = 171) affected considerably fewer. The region with the highest number of species at high risk was the Pacific Ring of Fire, especially due to volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis, while hurricane-related high-risk species were concentrated in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and northwestern Pacific Ocean. Our study provides important information regarding the species at risk due to natural hazards and can help guide conservation attention and efforts to safeguard their survival.

Exploring Rare Earth Element behavior in the Mount Etna volcanic aquifers (Sicily).

This study presents the first data on REY (Rare Earth Elements plus Yttrium) in the aquifer of Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy). Patterns normalized to chondrites indicate strong water-rock interaction, facilitated by a slightly acidic pH resulting from the dissolution of magma-derived CO2. REY patterns provide insights into the processes of both mineral dissolution and the formation of secondary phases. The relative abundance of light to heavy rare earth elements is compatible with the prevailing dissolution of ferromagnesian minerals (e.g., olivine or clinopyroxenes), reinforced by its strong correlation with other proxies of mineral dissolution (e.g., Mg contents). Pronounced negative Ce anomalies and positive Y anomalies demonstrate an oxidizing environment with continuous formation of secondary iron and/or manganese oxides and hydroxides. The Y/Ho fractionation is strongly influenced by metal complexation with bicarbonate complexes, a common process in C-rich waters. In the studied system, the measured REY contents are always below the limits proposed by Sneller et al. (2000, RIVM report, Issue 601,501, p. 66) for surface water and ensure a very low daily intake from drinking water.

Changes in holopelagic Sargassum spp. biomass composition across an unusual year.

The year 2021 marked a decade of holopelagic sargassum (morphotypes Sargassum natans I and VIII, and Sargassum fluitans III) stranding on the Caribbean and West African coasts. Beaching of millions of tons of sargassum negatively impacts coastal ecosystems, economies, and human health. Additionally, the La Soufrière volcano erupted in St. Vincent in April 2021, at the start of the sargassum season. We investigated potential monthly variations in morphotype abundance and biomass composition of sargassum harvested in Jamaica and assessed the influence of processing methods (shade-drying vs. frozen samples) and of volcanic ash exposure on biochemical and elemental components. S. fluitans III was the most abundant morphotype across the year. Limited monthly variations were observed for key brown algal components (phlorotannins, fucoxanthin, and alginate). Shade-drying did not significantly alter the contents of proteins but affected levels of phlorotannins, fucoxanthin, mannitol, and alginate. Simulation of sargassum and volcanic ash drift combined with age statistics suggested that sargassum potentially shared the surface layer with ash for ~50 d, approximately 100 d before stranding in Jamaica. Integrated elemental analysis of volcanic ash, ambient seawater, and sargassum biomass showed that algae harvested from August had accumulated P, Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Ni, probably from the ash, and contained less As. This ash fingerprint confirmed the geographical origin and drift timescale of sargassum. Since environmental conditions and processing methods influence biomass composition, efforts should continue to improve understanding, forecasting, monitoring, and valorizing sargassum, particularly as strandings of sargassum show no sign of abating.

Solidification/stabilization of lead-contaminated soil using alkali-activated volcanic ash.

The bioaccumulation of lead in soil poses a significant human health risk. The solidification/stabilization (S/S) technique, employing binders like Portland cement or lime, is a common method for remediating lead-contaminated soil. However, cement production has adverse environmental impacts, prompting the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives like alkali-activated materials (AAMs). This study assesses AAM efficacy in the S/S of lead-contaminated soil. The effects of several factors, including varying amounts of volcanic ash (VA), lead concentration, curing temperatures, and curing times are investigated. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS), toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test (TCLP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscope-energy-dispersive spectroscopy-mapping analyses (FESEM/EDS/mapping) analyses are used to study the specimens. The findings indicated a substantial increase in the UCS of lead-contaminated soil treated with 15% VA (under oven curing (OC) conditions), and 10% VA (under ambient curing (AC) conditions) exhibited remarkable increases of up to 600% and 458%, respectively. Moreover, the leaching of Pb2+ ions from samples contaminated with 10,000 mg/kg (under OC conditions) and 2500 mg/kg (under AC conditions) experienced significant reductions of 87% (from 135.14 to 13.36 ppm) and 91% (from 26.32 to 2.21 ppm), respectively. The S/S process in these samples operated through three primary mechanisms of chemical bonding, physical encapsulation, and the formation of insoluble silicate. The formation of N-A-S-H and hydroxy sodalite structures played a vital role in facilitating these mechanisms. Therefore, alkali-activated VA demonstrated excellent performance in the remediation of lead-contaminated soil.

Variation of total alpha and beta activities and Rn-222 concentrations in the water supply system of an Italian volcanic region: How safe is tap water for human consumption?

Total alpha and beta activities and Rn-222 concentrations were determined in water from different sections of seven aqueducts belonging to the water supply system of Campania region (Italy), known worldwide for its volcanism. Statistical analysis was performed on data to account for their variability across the aqueduct sections, and results were discussed considering the geology of reservoirs, the potential mixing processes occurring along the pipe network, the building/constituting materials of the aqueduct sections, and the integrity of the infrastructure. Guidelines proposed by Italian and international regulation entities were considered to determine if total alpha and beta activities and Rn-222 concentrations found at the taps of the different aqueducts should be considered detrimental to public health. Based on a deterministic and a stochastic approach, a health risk assessment was also tested for Rn-222, assuming direct ingestion and showering as potential exposure pathways. Results showed that applying guidelines returned an absence of hazard, whereas risk assessment returned a high probability of exposure to unacceptable Rn-222 doses for some aqueducts. Beyond the usefulness of obtained results to plan actions to improve the safety of drinking water in Campania, our outcomes represent a warning for bodies dealing with public health at any level: the use of guidelines can bring an underestimation of the risks exerted by the exposure to Rn-222 on human health. Further, using a probabilistic approach in risk assessment accounting for uncertainty can favor risk forecasts based on more "realistic" scenarios.

Climate-forced Hg-remobilization associated with fern mutagenesis in the aftermath of the end-Triassic extinction.

The long-term effects of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, a large igneous province connected to the end-Triassic mass-extinction (201.5 Ma), remain largely elusive. Here, we document the persistence of volcanic-induced mercury (Hg) pollution and its effects on the biosphere for ~1.3 million years after the extinction event. In sediments recovered in Germany (Schandelah-1 core), we record not only high abundances of malformed fern spores at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, but also during the lower Jurassic Hettangian, indicating repeated vegetation disturbance and stress that was eccentricity-forced. Crucially, these abundances correspond to increases in sedimentary Hg-concentrations. Hg-isotope ratios (δ202Hg, Δ199Hg) suggest a volcanic source of Hg-enrichment at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary but a terrestrial source for the early Jurassic peaks. We conclude that volcanically injected Hg across the extinction was repeatedly remobilized from coastal wetlands and hinterland areas during eccentricity-forced phases of severe hydrological upheaval and erosion, focusing Hg-pollution in the Central European Basin.

Synergistic advantages of volcanic ash weathering in saline soils: CO2 sequestration and enhancement of plant growth.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a primary greenhouse gas that has experienced a surge in atmospheric concentration due to human activities and lifestyles. It is imperative to curtail atmospheric CO2 levels promptly to alleviate the multifaceted impacts of climate warming. The soil serves as a natural reservoir for CO2 sequestration. The scientific premise of this study is that CO2 sequestration in agriculturally relevant, organically-deficient saline soil can be achieved by incorporating alkaline earth silicates. Volcanic ash (VA) was used as a soil amendment for CO2 removal from saline soil by leveraging enhanced silicate rock weathering (ERW). The study pursued two primary objectives: first, we aimed to evaluate the impact of various doses of VA, employed as an amendment for organically-deficient soil, on the growth performance of key cultivated crops (sorghum and mung bean) in inland saline-alkaline agricultural regions of northeastern China. Second, we aimed to assess alterations in the physical properties of the amended soil through mineralogical examinations, utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analyses, quantifying the increase in inorganic carbon content within the soil. In the potting tests, mung bean plant height exhibited a noteworthy increase of approximately 41 % with the addition of 10 % VA. Sorghum plant height and aboveground and belowground biomass dry weights increased with VA application across all tested doses. At the optimal VA application rate (20 %), the sorghum achieved a CO2 sequestration rate of 0.14 kg CO2·m-2·month-1. XRD and SEM-EDS analyses confirmed that the augmented inorganic carbon in the VA-amended soils stemmed primarily from calcite accumulation. These findings contribute to elucidating the mechanism underlying VA as an amendment for organically-deficient soils and provide an effective approach for enhancing the carbon sink capacity of saline soils.

Dhikr and Qur'an Recitation Therapy: An Idea to Recover the Mental Health of Families of the Death Victims of Mount Marapi Eruption in West Sumatra, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Volcanic eruption is one of the most common disasters in Indonesia. One of the most fatal volcanic eruptions in Indonesia in 2023 was the eruption of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra. This caused a psychological impact on the survivors and families of the victims who died. PROBLEM: Psychological interventions are usually only provided to survivors. It is very rare to find psychosocial assistance provided to the families of victims who died, even though they also experience acute and prolonged mental health disorders, such as trauma and even depression. So, we offer the idea of remembrance therapy and reading the Qur'an to restore the mental health of the families of the deceased victims. CONCLUSION: Dhikr and Qur'an recitation therapy fosters sincerity, patience, and self-acceptance so as to restore mental health in the families of the victims of the Mount Marapi eruption. The therapy serves as a calming factor for the soul because it contains various wisdoms for the calamities experienced. The whole series of therapy is closed with prayer as a form of surrendering the soul to God.

Health impact of the Tajogaite volcano eruption in La Palma population (ISVOLCAN study): rationale, design, and preliminary results from the first 1002 participants.

BACKGROUND: The eruption of the Tajogaite volcano began on the island of La Palma on September 19, 2021, lasting for 85 days. This study aims to present the design and methodology of the ISVOLCAN (Health Impact on the Population of La Palma due to the Volcanic Eruption) cohort, as well as the preliminary findings from the first 1002 enrolled participants. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted with random selection of adult participants from the general population, with an estimated sample size of 2600 individuals. The results of the first 857 participants are presented, along with a group of 145 voluntary participants who served as interveners during the eruption. Data on epidemiology and volcano exposure were collected, and participants underwent physical examinations, including anthropometry, blood pressure measurement, spirometry, and venous blood extraction for toxicological assessment. RESULTS: In the general population (n = 857), descriptive analysis revealed that the participants were mostly middle-aged individuals (50.8 ± 16.4), with a predominance of females. Before the eruption, the participants resided at a median distance of 6.7 km from the volcano in the Western region and 10.9 km in the Eastern region. Approximately 15.4% of the sample required evacuation, whose 34.8% returning to their homes on average after 3 months. A significant number of participants reported engaging in daily tasks involving cleaning of volcanic ash both indoors and outdoors. The most reported acute symptoms included ocular irritation, insomnia, mood disorders (anxiety-depression), and respiratory symptoms. Multivariate analysis results show that participants in the western region had a higher likelihood of lower respiratory tract symptoms (OR 1.99; 95% CI:1.33-2.99), depression and anxiety (OR 1.95; 95% CI:1.30-2.93), and insomnia (OR 2.03; 95% CI:1.33-3.09), compared to those in the eastern region. CONCLUSION: The ongoing follow-up of the ISVOLCAN cohort will provide valuable insights into the short, medium, and long-term health impact related to the material emitted during the Tajogaite eruption, based on the level of exposure suffered by the affected population.

Increased coral biomineralization due to enhanced symbiotic activity upon volcanic ash exposure.

Coral reefs, which are among the most productive ecosystems on earth, are in global decline due to rapid climate change. Volcanic activity also results in extreme environmental changes at local to global scales, and may have significant impacts on coral reefs compared to other natural disturbances. During explosive eruptions, large amounts of volcanic ash are generated, significantly disrupting ecosystems close to a volcano, and depositing ash over distal areas (10s - 1000s of km depending on i.a. eruption size and wind direction). Once volcanic ash interacts with seawater, the dissolution of metals leads to a rapid change in the geochemical properties of the seawater column. Here, we report the first known effects of volcanic ash on the physiology and elemental cycling of a symbiotic scleractinian coral under laboratory conditions. Nubbins of the branching coral Stylophora pistillata were reared in aquaria under controlled conditions (insolation, temperature, and pH), while environmental parameters, effective quantum yield, and skeletal growth rate were monitored. Half the aquaria were exposed to volcanic ash every other day for 6 weeks (250 mg L-1 week-1), which induced significant changes in the fluorescence-derived photochemical parameters (ΦPSII, Fv/Fm, NPQ, rETR), directly enhanced the efficiency of symbiont photosynthesis (Pg, Pn), and lead to increased biomineralization rates. Enhancement of symbiont photosynthesis is induced by the supply of essential metals (Fe and Mn), derived from volcanic ash leaching in ambient seawater or within the organism following ingestion. The beneficial role of volcanic ash as an important micronutrient source is supported by the fact that neither photophysiological stress nor signs of lipid peroxidation were detected. Subaerial volcanism affects micronutrient cycling in the coral ecosystem, but the implication for coral ecophysiology on a reef scale remains to be tested. Nevertheless, exposure to volcanic ash can improve coral health and thus influence resilience to external stressors.

Synthesis of zeolites from volcanic ash (Tajogaite, Spain) for the remediation of waters contaminated by fluoride.

In the eruptive event of Tajogaite (2021) in La Palma, Canary Islands, large quantities of volcanic ash were accumulated, affecting the local environment and urban areas. In this study, volcanic ash sampled from urban areas (catalogued as municipal waste (20 03 03) by the European Wastes Catalogue) were converted into zeolites by hydrothermal synthesis at 100 °C with previous alkaline fusion at 550 °C with distilled water. During this process, new phases of zeolite principally type X and sodalite have been identified by XRD at 2 h of incubation. These zeolites, with the course of incubation time, present competitive processes where the transformation into sodalite develops after 24 h as the predominant phase. The synthesized zeolitic material presents a high concentration as impurities in Fe2O3 (13.70 wt%), Na2O (12.70 wt%), CaO (11.65 wt%), and TiO2 (3.89 wt%) coming from the volcanic ash and NaOH introduced in the synthesis methodology. These impurities impart different physicochemical capabilities to the zeolitic material. The application of zeolites obtained in a preliminary fluoride adsorption experiment with volcanic leachate water rich in fluoride has been tested in a novel way. Removal efficiencies of 41.4% at acidic pH (5.77) have been obtained with 2 g L-1 adsorbent zeolitic material doses. A value-added material is obtained and applied in a preliminary way to solve a problem generated by the volcanic ash itself, allowing the End of Waste status and meeting different objectives of the sustainable development goals of the UN Agenda 2030.

Tonga national emergency medical team response to the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and tsunami: the first deployment of the Tonga Emergency Medical Assistance Team (TEMAT).

Problem: The undersea Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted on 15 January 2022, causing a tsunami that affected Tonga as well as other countries around the Pacific rim. Tonga's international borders were closed at the time due to the coronavirus disease pandemic, but clinical surge support was needed to respond to this disaster. Context: Tonga's Ministry of Health formed the Tonga Emergency Medical Assistance Team (TEMAT) in 2018 to provide clinical care and public health assistance during disasters, outbreaks and other health emergencies. TEMAT was activated for the first time in January 2022 to respond to medical and public health needs following the eruption and tsunami. Action: On 16 January 2022, a five-person TEMAT advance team was deployed to conduct initial damage assessments and provide casualty care. Subsequently, TEMAT rotations were deployed to provide clinical care and public health support across the Ha'apai island group for over 2 months. Outcome: TEMAT deployed to the islands most affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami within 24 hours of the event, providing emergency clinical, psychosocial and public health services across four islands. TEMAT reported daily to the Ministry of Health and National Emergency Management Office, providing critical information for response decision-making. All TEMAT actions were documented, and an after-action review was conducted following the deployment. Discussion: TEMAT's deployment in response to the 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami highlighted the importance of national emergency medical teams that are prepared to respond to a range of emergency events.

Tropical Atlantic multidecadal variability is dominated by external forcing.

The tropical Atlantic climate is characterized by prominent and correlated multidecadal variability in Atlantic sea surface temperatures (SSTs), Sahel rainfall and hurricane activity1-4. Owing to uncertainties in both the models and the observations, the origin of the physical relationships among these systems has remained controversial3-7. Here we show that the cross-equatorial gradient in tropical Atlantic SSTs-largely driven by radiative perturbations associated with anthropogenic emissions and volcanic aerosols since 19503,7-is a key determinant of Atlantic hurricane formation and Sahel rainfall. The relationship is obscured in a large ensemble of CMIP6 Earth system models, because the models overestimate long-term trends for warming in the Northern Hemisphere relative to the Southern Hemisphere from around 1950 as well as associated changes in atmospheric circulation and rainfall. When the overestimated trends are removed, correlations between SSTs and Atlantic hurricane formation and Sahel rainfall emerge as a response to radiative forcing, especially since 1950 when anthropogenic aerosol forcing has been high. Our findings establish that the tropical Atlantic SST gradient is a stronger determinant of tropical impacts than SSTs across the entire North Atlantic, because the gradient is more physically connected to tropical impacts via local atmospheric circulations8. Our findings highlight that Atlantic hurricane activity and Sahel rainfall variations can be predicted from radiative forcing driven by anthropogenic emissions and volcanism, but firmer predictions are limited by the signal-to-noise paradox9-11 and uncertainty in future climate forcings.

Organic walled microfossils in wet peperites from the early Cretaceous Paraná-Etendeka volcanism of Brazil.

Large igneous provinces (LIPs) are major magmatic events that have a significant impact on the global environment and the biosphere, for example as triggers of mass extinctions. LIPs provide an excellent sedimentological and geochemical record of short but intense periods of geological activity in the past, but their contribution towards understanding ancient life is much more restricted due to the destructive nature of their igneous origin. Here, we provide the first paleontological evidence for organic walled microfossils extracted from wet peperites from the Early Cretaceous Paraná-Etendeka intertrappean deposits of the Paraná basin in Brazil. Wet peperites are a volcaniclastic rock formed by the interaction of lava and subaqueous sediments.The Paraná-Etendeka was formed during the Valanginian (ca. 132 Ma) as a continental flood basalt in present day South America and Namibia, and released enormous amounts of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, methane and hydrogen fluoride into the atmosphere. The organic walled microfossils recovered from the Paraná-Etendeka peperites include pollen grains, spores, acritarchs, and other remains of unidentifiable organic matter. In addition to the peperites, organic walled microfossils were also found in heterolithic sandstones and interpillow sandstones. Our findings represent the first insight into the biodiversity of the Paraná Basin during the Early Cretaceous during a period of intense magmatism, and the microfossil assemblages corroborate a regional paleoclimatic transition from arid to more humid conditions that were likely induced by the volcanic activity. We corroborate the potential of wet peperite rocks as a valuable source of paleobiological data and emphasize the importance of sampling volcaniclastic units that have been traditionally considered with lower fossiliferous potential due to their igneous origin.

Potentially harmful elements released by volcanic ash of the 2021 Tajogaite eruption (Cumbre Vieja, La Palma Island, Spain): Implications for human health.

This study assesses the potential impacts on human health of volcanic ash emitted during the 2021 Tajogaite eruption (La Palma Island, Spain). Ash samples were physically and chemically characterized and leaching tests (with deionized water and acidic solution) were performed according to the IVHHN protocols to elucidate i) the leachable elements that may affect water quality and represent a potential threat for livestock and humans through drinking water supply; and ii) the bioaccessible fraction of toxicants able to be solubilized from ash surfaces if ashes are incidentally ingested by children. The most abundant readily water-soluble compounds were SO4, F, Cl, Na, Ca, Ba, Mg, and Zn. Fluoride and chloride (up to 1085 and 1347 mg/kg) showed higher values in distal ash samples than closer ones. The potential F availability assessed from water leachates may suggest important environmental and health implications. In addition, long-term health hazard due to a long-term weathering of tephra deposits should be possible as confirmed by the greater amount of F extracted by acidic solution. Concentration of other trace elements (e.g., As, V, Mn, Mo, Cr, Fe, Se, Ti, Pb) were low compared to global medians and within the range globally assessed. Indicative calculation of hazard for water supply showed that F concentration may exceed both the recommended value (1 mg/L) for irrigation purpose and the health-based drinking water limits of 1.5 mg/L (for humans) and 2 mg/L (for livestock). If the predicted concentrations in water were compared with the toxicologically dose, F showed a potential health-risk for children through drinking water. The indicative health-risk characterization via accidental ash ingestion showed that the direct exposure does not represent a primary source of F daily intake for children. This important outcome confirmed F as element with the greatest health threat during Tajogaite 2021 eruption.