Noble gas isotopic signatures in thermal waters of the Dead Sea Transform, Israel

Noble gas isotope composition (especially helium) in thermal waters from different areas along the Dead Sea Transform in Israel reveals local intrusions of volatile gases and heat flux from the mantle into the crust. The distinct 3He/4He ratios in the atmosphere, crust and mantle enable one to separate the total helium concentration into mantle, crustal and atmospheric components. Helium isotope ratios of all sampled waters exceed the typical crustal ratio, indicating contributions of mantle derived helium to the total helium concentration. A clear trend can be observed in 3He/4He ratios from different areas. Northern samples show higher 3He/4He ratios than southern ones. Noble gas temperatures (NGTs) were used to determine the atmospheric helium component. Most of the samples contain less than 3% atmospheric helium, whereas the mantle derived helium component ranges from 2% to 38%. In addition to helium, the origin of CO2 in the water is examined. Measurements of 13C indicate no mantle derived CO2. Furthermore, stable isotopes data (18O and 2H) show no evidence of mantle derived water or water from reservoirs exceeding 100°C.

Level thesis:degree_level

master

Grantor dc:publisher

Universität Heidelberg

Year

2013

Author dc:creator

• Tsur, Neta

Contributors dc:contributor

• Aeschbach-Hertig, Werner

Repository record source_url

http://www.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/archiv/16927

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de:16927