[Bazmundo]

Although we're not expecting actual ashfall like after Mt St Helens or Montserrat, there will be deposits of fine ash or dust from any rainfall over the coming days. Apparently the main risk to agriculture is to livestock consuming the deposits off grass/crops - as well as being put off their feed and requiring supplement. Ash itself contains many nutrients beneficial to new plant growth, albeit slightly inhibitive to older plants if too thickly deposited. This is not because of the nitrogen content, but rather other minerals that microorganisms can breakdown. There is also research to suggest that diffuse sunlight from high atmospheric ash content is actually better for photosynthesis.

Just to allay any fears people may have of this eruption 'choking' the pastures green (unless Katla goes off, as everyone keeps saying) :)

Ashfall mitigation strategies for agriculture from the USGS

NASA research statement from effects of the Pinatubo eruption

Looks like the best advice for growers is to simply wash ash deposits into the soil off any foliage, especially off animal fodder crops.

[scrapemedic]

Thanks for that information Bazmundo, I was begining to wonder.

[Bazmundo]

Extract from a statement on the eruption from the Iceland Civil Protection Agency:

Samples of volcanic ash have been collected and they have been sent to Reykjavik for analysis. It is most likely that the ash will contain the chemical Florine. Florine can pollute water and grazing land. Farmers are advised to provide unpolluted fodder and water for their livestock. Additional information for livestock farmers, in Icelandic, can be found on the website of the Icelandic food and veterinary authority (www.mast.is)

Don't think we'll see harmful concentrations in the UK and Europe, but the winds shift next week which could be bad for Iceland's farmers.