Controls on the distribution and isotopic composition of helium in deep ground-water flows

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 1998 Controls on the distribution and isotopic composition of helium in deep ground-water flows Xiang Zhao; Xiang Zhao 1Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Theresa L. B. Fritzel Hernán; Theresa L. B. Fritzel Hernán 1Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar A. M. Quinodoz; A. M. Quinodoz 1Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Craig M. Bethke; Craig M. Bethke 1Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Thomas Torgersen Thomas Torgersen 2Department of Marine Science, University of Connecticut, Groton, Connecticut 06340 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Xiang Zhao 1Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801 Theresa L. B. Fritzel Hernán 1Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801 A. M. Quinodoz 1Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801 Craig M. Bethke 1Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801 Thomas Torgersen 2Department of Marine Science, University of Connecticut, Groton, Connecticut 06340 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1998) 26 (4): 291–294. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0291:COTDAI>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Xiang Zhao, Theresa L. B. Fritzel Hernán, A. M. Quinodoz, Craig M. Bethke, Thomas Torgersen; Controls on the distribution and isotopic composition of helium in deep ground-water flows. Geology 1998;; 26 (4): 291–294. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0291:COTDAI>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The distribution and isotopic composition of helium in sedimentary basins can be used to interpret the ages of very old ground waters. The piston-flow model commonly used in such interpretation, however, does not account for several important factors and as such works well only in very simple flow regimes. In this study of helium transport in a hypothetical sedimentary basin, we develop a numerical model that accounts for the magnitude and distribution of the basal helium flux, hydrodynamic dispersion, and complexities in flow regimes such as subregional flow cells. The modeling shows that these factors exert strong controls on the helium distribution and isotopic composition. The simulations may provide a basis for more accurate interpretations of observed helium concentrations and isotopic ratios in sedimentary basins. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.