Sustainable Solutions for the Management and Valorization of Volcanic Ash

This study proposes environmentally and economically sustainable management strategies for the valorization of volcanic ashes, addressing the significant challenges faced by cities near active volcanoes in handling large, unpredictable ashfall events. Volcanic ash collected from the 2021 eruptions of Mount Etna was characterized through physicochemical analyses, with particular emphasis on its leaching behaviour. This preliminary assessment aimed to evaluate its potential application as a component in bio-fertilizers or soil amendments. The results show that Etna’s volcanic ash (i) does not pose critical risks of pollution to the soil and (ii) can release essential trace metals that could support plant health and growth. Moreover, a management protocol for volcanic ash was proposed within the framework of a sustainable circular economy. This approach aims to ensure compliance with current regulatory standards and maximise the fate of volcanic ash as a valuable multipurpose material, minimising its disposal in landfills through alternative recovery pathways.