[S-CG09_28AM2] Deep Carbon Cycle

[SCG09-01] carbon and helium in faulted-seismogenic areas

*Yuji SANO¹ (1.Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo)

Keywords:Helium, Carbon, Origin, Flux, Fault

Carbon and helium have been discharging for a long time from the Earth's mantle to the atmosphere through volcanic and hydrothermal activity. In addition they are derived from faulted-seismogenic areas. It is obvious that volcanic fluxes are originated in magma source even though they may be partly contaminated by crustal material. In contrast, it is difficult to estimate how deep they are derived in non-volcanic and tectonically active regions. Irwin & Barnes [1] reported that CO₂-rich springs occur worldwide along major zones of seismicity. They further suggested that much of the CO₂ is derived from the mantle and that other important sources are the metamorphism of marine carbonate-bearing sedimentary rocks and the degradation of organic material. Carbon isotopes may provide information of the origin. When the delta13C value of spring gas in faulted-seismogenic area shows -6permil, it is explained by either mantle carbon or a mixing of marine carbonate (0permil) and sedimentary organic matter (-30permil). Thus it is difficult to estimate the origin of carbon. If the data are combined with helium isotopes, however, we can deconvolve the mantle contribution quantitatively [2]. There are several evidences of mantle carbon and helium degassing from active fault. Kennedy et al. [3] suggested the mantle helium flux in the San Andreas fault system located at boundary between the Pacific and North American plate. The bottom may extend the upper mantle. Significant CO₂ discharges were observed at the same time. A part of CO₂, up to 3.3% may be derived from the mantle [4]. Similar discharges have been observed in the North and East Anatolian fault zones [5,6]. These are examples of steady-state degassing from active fault. Non steady-state, catastrophic degassing of carbon and helium were reported in the 1995 Kobe earthquake, even though they are originated in shallow crust [7,8]. On the other hand, increase of helium isotopes in bottom seawater in the trench region after the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake suggested substantial input of mantle helium [9]. There may be a fluid flow induced by the earthquake, which would carry helium and methane from the mantle wedge to the trench through the entire plate boundary.Reference [1] Irwin & Barnes, 1980. JGR 85, 3115-3121. [2] Sano & Marty, 1995. Chem Geol 119, 265-274. [3] Kennedy et al., 1997. Science 278, 1278-1281. [4] Kulongoski et al., 2013. Chem Geol 339, 92-102 [5] de Leeuw et al., 2010. App Geochem 25, 524-539. [6] Italiano et al., 2013. Chem Geol 339, 103-114. [7] Sano et al., 1998. Chem Geol 150, 171-179. [8] Famin et al., 2008. EPSL 265, 487-497. [9] Sano et al., 2014. Nature Commun 5, 3084.