Geochemical evidence of gas sources of CO₂-rich cold springs from Wudalianchi, Northeast China

Abstract

CO₂-rich cold springs occur near the active volcanoes at Wudalianchi (五大连池), Northeast China. The springs are rich in CO₂, with HCO₃ ⁻ as the predominant anion and have elevated contents of total dissolved solid (TDS) (>1 000 mg/L), Fe²⁺ (>20 mg/L), Sr (>1 mg/L), and dissolved Si (>20 mg/L). The compositions of escaped and dissolved gases of the springs are similar. The δ ¹³C values of escaped gases and dissolved gases in mineral springs at Wudalianchi vary from −8.77‰ to −4.53‰ and −8.24‰ to −5.26‰, while δ ¹⁸O values vary from −10.68‰ to −7.65‰ and −10.30‰ to −8.84‰, respectively, indicating the same upper mantle origin of CO₂ of escaped gases and dissolved gases in the springs. Carbon and oxygen isotope fractionations and water-CO₂ exchange were weak in the process of groundwater flow. The ⁴He content exceeds 5 000×10⁻⁶ cm³·STP/mL in escaped gases of the mineral springs, and the ³He/⁴He ratios of the escaped and dissolved gases vary from 2.64R _a to 3.87R _a and 1.18R _a to 3.30R _a, respectively. It can be postulated that the CO₂ of mineral springs deriving from the magma chamber of the upper mantle moves upward to the surface, to increase the content of ⁴He in the mineral springs and decrease the ratio of ³He/⁴He. The helium origin of escaped gases in springs can be calculated with the MORB-crust mixing model, but that in the north spring can be better explained with the MORB-crust-air mixing model due to the effect of mixing with surface water. However, dissolved helium in springs, except the north spring, is better explained with the MORB-crust-ASW mixing model.

Keywords

δ ¹³C / δ ¹⁸O / ³He/⁴He / mineral spring / CO₂ / Wudalianchi / Northeast China

References

Aka F. T., Kusakabe M., Nagao K., . Noble Gas Isotopic Compositions and Water/Gas Chemistry of Soda Springs from the Islands of Bioko, Sao Tome and Annobon, along with Cameroon Volcanic Line, West Africa. Applied Geochemistry, 2001, 16(3): 323-338.

Aires-Barros L., Marques J. M., Graça R. C., . Hot and Cold CO₂-Rich Mineral Waters in Chaves Geothermal Area (Northern Portugal). Geothermics, 1998, 27(1): 89-107.

Allard P., Jean-Baptiste P., D’Alessandro W., . Mantle-Derived Helium and Carbon in Groundwaters and Gases of Mount Etna, Italy. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 1997, 148(3–4): 501-516.

Aquilina L., Ladouche B., Doerfliger N., . Origin, Evolution and Residence Time of Saline Thermal Fluids (Balaruc Springs, Southern France): Implications for Fluid Transfer across the Continental Shelf. Chemical Geology, 2002, 192(1–2): 1-21.

Barbieri M., Morotti M.. Hydrogeochemistry and Strontium Isotopes of Spring and Mineral Waters from Monte Vulture Volcano, Italy. Applied Geochemistry, 2003, 18(1): 117-125.

Becker J. A., Bickle M. J., Galy A., . Himalayan Metamorphic CO₂ Fluxes: Quantitative Constraints from Hydrothermal Springs. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2008, 265(3–4): 616-629.

Cartwright I., Weaver T., Tweed S., . Stable Isotope Geochemistry of Cold CO₂-Bearing Mineral Spring Waters, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia: Sources of Gas and Water and Links with Waning Volcanism. Chemical Geology, 2002, 185(1–2): 71-91.

Cartwright I., Weaver T., Tweed S., . O, H, C Isotope Geochemistry of Carbonated Mineral Springs in Central Victoria, Australia: Sources of Gas and Water-Rock Interaction during Dying Basaltic Volcanism. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2000, 69–70: 257-261.

Céron J. C., Pulido Bosch A., Sanz de Galdeano C.. Isotopic Identification of CO₂ from a Deep Origin in Thermomineral Waters of Southeastern Spain. Chemical Geology, 1998, 149(3–4): 251-258.

Chen H. Z., Ren J. Z., Sun W. B., . New Discovered Historical Records on Laoheishan and Huoshaoshan Volcanoes, Wudalianchi and Their Significance. Earthquake Research in China, 1999, 15(3): 290-294.

Cheng S. G., Mao X. M., Wang F. L., . Tephra Discovered in High Resolution Peat Sediment and Its Indication to Climatic Event. Journal of China University of Geosciences, 2008, 19(2): 174-183.

Chivas A. R., Barnes I. E., Lupton J. E., . Isotopic Studies of South-East Australian CO₂-Rich Discharges: Deep Sources and Shallow Sources. Geological Society of Australia Abstracts, 1984, 12: 94-95.

Chivas A. R., Barnes I. E., William C., . Liquid Carbon Dioxide of Magmatic Origin and Its Role in Volcanic Eruptions. Nature, 1987, 326(6113): 587-589.

Choi H. S., Koh Y. K., Bae D. S., . Estimation of Deep-Reservoir Temperature of CO₂-Rich Springs in Kangwon District, South Korea. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2005, 141: 77-89.

Cook A. C., Hainsworth L. J., Sorey M. L., . Radiocarbon Studies of Plant Leaves and Tree Rings from Mammoth Mountain, CA: A Long-Term Record of Magmatic CO₂ Release. Chemical Geology, 2001, 177(1–2): 117-131.

Craig H., Lupton J. E., Horibe Y.. A Mantle Helium Component in Circum-Pacific Volcanic Gases: Hakone, the Marianas, and Mt. Lassen, Terrestrial Rare Gases, 1978, Tokyo: Japan Sci. Soc. Press 3-16.

Cruz J. V., França Z.. Hydrogeochemistry of Thermal and Mineral Water Springs of the Azores Archipelago (Portugal). Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2006, 151(4): 382-398.

Deines P.. The Carbon and Oxygen Isotopic Composition of Carbonates from the Oka Carbonatite Complex, Quebec, Canada. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 1970, 34(11): 1199-1225.

Doǧan T., Sumino H., Nagao K., . Release of Mantle Helium from Forearc Region of the Southwest Japan Arc. Chemical Geology, 2006, 233(3–4): 235-248.

Du J. G., Li S. Q., Liu L. Z., . Geochemistry of Gases from the Wudalianchi Volcanic District, Northeastern China. Geochimica, 1999, 28(2): 171-176.

Elkins L. J., Fischer T. P., Hilton D. R., . Tracing Nitrogen in Volcanic and Geothermal Volatiles from the Nicaraguan Volcanic Front. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2006, 70(20): 5215-5235.

Fan Q. C., Sui J. L., Liu R. X.. Sr-Nd Isotopic Geochemistry and Magmatic Evolutions of Wudalianchi Volcano, Tianchi Volcano and Tengchong Volcano. Acta Petrologica et Mineralogica, 2001, 20(3): 233-238.

Giggenbach W. F.. Isotopic Shifts in Waters from Geothermal and Volcanic Systems along Convergent Plate Boundaries and Their Origin. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 1992, 113(4): 495-510.

Giggenbach W. F., Corrales-Soto R.. Isotopic and Chemical Composition of Water and Steam Discharges from Volcanic-Magmatic-Hydrothermal Systems of the Guanacaste Geothermal Province, Coast Rica. Applied Geochemistry, 1992, 7(4): 309-332.

Griesshaber E., O’Nions R. K., Oxburgh E. R.. Helium and Carbon Isotope Systematics in Crustal Fluids from the Eifel, the Rhine Graben and Black Forest, F.R.G.. Chemical Geology, 1992, 99(4): 213-235.

Harris C., Stock W. D., Lanham J.. Stable Isotope Constraints on the Origin of CO₂ Gas Exhalations at Bongwan, Natal. South African Journal of Geology, 1997, 100: 261-266.

Inguaggiato S., Pecoraino G., D’Amore F.. Chemical and Isotopical Characterisation of Fluid Manifestations of Ischia Island (Italy). Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2000, 99(1–4): 151-178.

Ishibashi J., Sano Y., Wakita H., . Helium and Carbon Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Fluids from the Mid-Okinawa Trough Back Arc Basin, Southwest of Japan. Chemical Geology, 1995, 123(1–4): 1-15.

Kharitonova N. A., Chelnokov G. A., Karabtsov A. A., . Geochemistry of Na-HCO₃ Ground Water and Sedimentary Bedrocks from the Central Part of the Sikhote-Alin Mountain Region (Far East of Russia). Applied Geochemistry, 2007, 22(8): 1764-1776.

Lan T. F., Yang T. F., Lee H. F., . Compositions and Flux of Soil Gas in Liu-Huang-Ku Hydrothermal Area, Northern Taiwan. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2007, 165(1–2): 32-45.

Liu D. L., Yang Q., Yang X. Y., . Prediction of Abiogenetic CO₂ Accumulation Zones in North Songliao Basin. Natural Gas Industry, 2003, 23(4): 13-15.

Lü Z. W.. Tectonic Environment and Eruption Mechanism of Wudalianchi Volcanic Cluster. Seismological Research of Northeast China, 1996, 12(1): 25-30.

Lü Z. W., Sun S. J.. Wudalianchi Volcano and Cold Spring. Seismological and Geomagnetic Observation and Research, 1996, 17(6): 75-79.

Lupton J. E.. Terrestrial Inert Gases: Isotope Tracer Studies and Clues to Primordial Components in the Mantle. Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 1983, 11: 371-414.

Mamyrin B. A., Tolstikhin I. N.. Helium Isotopes in Nature, 1984, Amsterdam: Elsevier 273

Marty B., Jambon A.. C/³He in Volatile Fluxes from the Solid Earth: Implications for Carbon Geodynamics. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 1987, 83: 16-26.

Poreda R. J., Craig H.. Helium Isotope Ratios in Circum-Pacific Volcanic Arcs. Nature, 1989, 338(6215): 473-478.

Ren J. Z., Chen H. Z., Wu X. J.. New Historical Data of Wudalianchi Volcanic and Discussion on Eruption Process. Seismological Research of Northeast China, 1999, 15(1): 46-52.

Sakamoto M., Sano Y., Wakita H.. ³He/⁴He Ratio Distribution in and around the Hakone Volcano. Geochem. J., 1992, 26(4): 189-195.

Sano Y., Gamo T., Notsu K., . Secular Variations of Carbon and Helium Isotopes at Izu-Oshima Volcano, Japan. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 1995, 64(1–2): 83-94.

Sano Y., Gamo T., Williams S. N.. Secular Variations of Helium and Carbon Isotopes at Galeras Volcano, Colombia. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 1997, 77(1–4): 255-265.

Sano Y., Marty B.. Origin of Carbon in Fumarolic Gas from Island Arc. Chem. Geol., 1995, 119(1–4): 265-274.

Sano Y., Wakita H.. Geographical Distribution of ³He/⁴He Ratios in Japan: Implications for Arc Tectonics and Incipient Magmatism. J. Geophys. Res., 1985, 90(B10): 8729-8741.

Schoell M.. Genetic Characterization of Natural Gases. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 1983, 67: 2225-2238.

Shaw A. M., Hilton D. R., Fischer T. P., . Contrasting He-C Relationships in Nicaragua and Costa Rica: Insights into C Cycling through Subduction Zones. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2003, 214(3–4): 499-513.

Siebe C., Goff F., Armienta M. A., . Geology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Jungapeo CO₂-Rich Thermal Springs, State of Michoacán, Mexico. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2007, 163(1–4): 1-33.

Sun R. B., Du J. G.. The Hydro-geochemical Background of the Wudalianchi Volcanic Area. Bulletin of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, 1998, 17(3): 150-155.

Sun R. B., Gao Q. W., Pan Y. L., . Relationship of Gas Th, Rn to Fracture Structure and Volcanic Activity in Wudalianchi Volcanic Area. Seismological Research of Northeast China, 2003, 19(4): 9-17.

Umeda K., Ogawa Y., Asamori K., . Aqueous Fluids Derived from a Subducting Slab: Observed High ³He Emanation and Conductive Anomaly in a Non-volcanic Region, Kii Peninsula, Southwest Japan. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2006, 149(1–2): 47-61.

Weaver T. R., Cartwright I., Tweed S. O., . Controls on Chemistry during Fracture-Hosted Flow of Cold CO₂-Bearing Mineral Waters, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia: Implications for Resource Protection. Applied Geochemistry, 2006, 21(2): 289-304.

Weise, S. M., Moser, H., 1987. Groundwater Dating with Helium Isotopes. Proc. Int. IAEA Symp, Isotope Techniques in Water Resources Development. Int. At. Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria. 105–126

Zhang F. L., Yin X. L., Wang Z. P., . The Characteristics, Development and Protection Countermeasures of Mineral Spring Water from Wudalianchi. Territory & Natural Resources Study, 2003, 3: 61-62.