Helium and argon isotope geochemistry of natural gases in China's petroliferous basins

The age-accumulation effect of 40Ar in hydrocarbon source rocks was discussed in accordance with the decay law of radioactive elements. In terms of the mean values of 40Ar/36Ar, the old Sinian gas reservoirs (mean values of 40Ar/36Ar: 7009) were definitely distinguished from the Permian gas reservoirs (mean values of 40Ar/36Ar: 1017) in Weiyuan, Sichuan Province, and the gas source of the Permian gas reservoir (mean values of 40Ar/36Ar: 5222) in well Wei-7 with the Weiyuan structure is defined as the Sinian system. Based on the values of 40Ar/36Ar, the coal-type gases (The source rocks are of the C-P system; mean values of 40Ar/36Ar: 1125) are definitely distinguished from the oil-type gases (The source rocks are of the Tertiary system; mean values of 40Ar/36Ar: 590) in the Tertiary reservoirs of the Zhongyuan Oilfield. Besides, 40Ar/36Ar values also have a positive effect on the oil-source correlation of oil reservoirs in ancient hidden mountains. According to the crust-mantle interchange information reflected by 3He/4He values, petroliferous provinces in China can be divided into three major tectonic regions. (1) The eastern active region: The crust-mantle volatile matter exchanges actively, and the 3He/4He values are mainly around 10-6, partly around 10-7. (2) The central stable region: The 3He/4He values are all around 10-8. (3) The western sub-stable region: The 3He/4He values are mainly around 10-8, and around 10-7 on the edges of the basins. Helium contents of some gas wells in China’s eastern petroliferous region reach the industrial abundance (He≈0.05%–0.1%), the 3He/4He values reach 10-6, and the equivalent values for the mantle-source components in helium gas can reach 30%–50%. As viewed from this, a new type of crust-mantle composite helium resources has been proposed. Geneses of some CO2 gas reservoirs in the east of China and some issues concerning mantle-source methane were discussed in the light of the helium and carbon isotopes of CO2 and CH4 in natural gases. In the discussion on helium isotopic characteristics of inclusions in the reservoirs, it was discovered that the 3He/4He values are close to those in natural gases. That is to say, this phenomenon is related to regional tectonism. The 3He/4He, CO2/3He and CH4/3He data were used to discuss the tectonic activities of fault zones in a certain number of regions in China.

Helium Isotope Geochemistry of Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Eclogites From the Dabie-Sulu Terrane in East China

The 3He/4He ratios of most eclogites from the Dabie-Sulu terrane range from 0.056 to 0.67 Ra; the data points fall into the mixing part of the crust and the mantle in the 3He-4He diagram. The 3He/4He ratios of eclogites are obviously correlated with the types of their surrounding rocks. The helium isotope composition of the eclogites from the Bixiling complex possesses characters of mantle-derived rocks with the 3He/4He ratio being 5.6 Ra. The 4He concentration of the eclogites exhibits visible inverse correlation with the δ18O value of the quartz in the eclogites from the Sulu area. The δ18O values of the eclogites change synchronously with those of the country rocks. Those results suggest that protoliths of the eclogites were basic-ultrabasic rock bodies or veins intruding into the continental crust in the early stage; strong exchange and hybridization between the basic-ultrabasic rocks and continental rocks and the atmospheric water during the intrusion led to abrupt increase of the 3He/4He ratios, δ18O values and Nd(0) values of the intrusive bodies or veins, which show characters of continental rocks. This indicates that the eclogites are autochthonous.

Helium,Argon,and Xenon Isotopic Compositions of Ore-forming Fluids in Jinding-Baiyangping Polymetallic Deposits,Yunnan,Southwest China

The Jinding superlarge lead and zinc deposit has attracted the attention of geologists of the world and its metallogenesis has long been in dispute. This paper takes the Jinding deposit and the Baiyangping Cu-Ag-Co deposit which was recently found at about 30 km north of Jinding as one ore belt, and, based on researches on the helium, argon, and xenon isotopic compositions of primary inclusions in ore-forming solutions of the main stage, the authors have found that the 3He/4He ratio of the ore-forming fluid is 2.7×10?6 (varying from 0.19 to 1.97 Ra), the 4He/40Ar ratio (0.24–3.12) is close to the mantle characteristic ratio, and the xenon isotopic composition and evolution show characters of the mantle xenon. The above results reveal the characteristics of mantle source and crust-mantle fluid mixing (mantle helium reaching 32%) and the metallogenic contributions of the deep processes in the Jinding-Baiyangping ore belt.

Crustal Composition of China Continent Constrained from Heat Flow Data and Helium Isotope Ratio of Underground Fluid

Based on conservation of energy principle and heat flow data in China continent, the upper limit of 1.3 μW/m3 heat production is obtained for continental crust in China. Furthermore, using the data of heat flow and helium isotope ratio of underground fluid, the heat productions of different tectonic units in China continent are estimated in range of 0.58-1.12 μW/m3 with a median of 0.85 μW/m3. Accordingly, the contents of U, Th and K20 in China crust are in ranges of 0.83-1.76 μg/g, 3.16-6.69 μg/g, and 1.0%-2.12%, respectively. These results indicate that the abundance of radioactive elements in the crust of China continent is much higher than that of Archean crust; and this fact implies China＇s continental crust is much evolved in chemical composition. Meanwhile, significant lateral variation of crustal composition is also exhibited among different tectonic units in China continent. The crust of eastern China is much enriched in incompatible elements such as U, Th and K than that of western China; and the crust of orogenic belts is more enriched than that of platform regions. It can also be inferred that the crusts of eastern China and orogenic belts are much felsic than those of western China and platform regions, respectively, derived from the positive correlation between the heat production and SiO2 content of bulk crust. This deduction is consistent with the results derived from the crustal seismic velocity data in China. According to the facts of the lower seismic velocity of China than the average value of global crust, and the higher heat production of China continent compared with global crust composition models published by previous studies, it is deduced that the average composition models of global continent crust by Rudnick and Fountain （1995）, Rudnick and Gao （2003）, Weaver and Tarney （1984）, Shaw et al. （1986）, and Wedepohl （1995） overestimate the abundance of incompatible elements such as U, Th and K of continental crust.

Helium and Argon Isotopic Studies of Fossil Material and the Theoretical Evolution of He and Ar in Earth’s Atmosphere through Time

We analyzed the elemental concentrations and the isotopic compositions of helium and argon in Cambrian to Jurrassic aged Gastropod, Ammonite and Trilobite fossils in order to examine variation in these gases through time. Fossil samples yielded He and Ar isotopic ratios close to the present day atmospheric values, but also indicated some addition of a radiogenic component. We compared the results to theoretical values calculated from a mathematical model of Earth’s atmosphere assuming mantle degassing. Results from our mathmatical models showed that the 40Ar/36Ar ratio of Earth’s atmosphere increased rapidly after the formation of the Earth, but has been almost identical to the present day value for the last 1 Ga. For atmospheric helium, model results were consistent with present day atmospheric values, assuming complete helium degassing from the continental crust into the atmosphere. The model suggests that the atmospheric 3He/4He ratio has remained relatively constant for the last 0.1 Ga. Given the similarity between present day and ancient He and Ar isotopic ratios, we conclude that the corresponding ratios measured in ancient fossil material may partially reflect composition of the ancient atmosphere and are not necessarily due to contamination by the present day atmosphere.

Helium and Argon Isotopic Composition of Cenozoic Alkali Basalts and Mantle-Derived Xenoliths from Kuandian, Liaoning Province, China

The noble gas isotopic composition and content data of 2 alkali basalts, 3 lherzolite xenoliths and one clinopyroxene megacryst from the Kuandian region have confirmed the occurrence of a fractionation of noble gases during magmatism. Light noble gases such as He and Ne are high in mobility and appear to be incompatible as compared with heavy ones (such as Kr and Xe). Therefore, light noble gases are abundant in volcanics, especially in the volcanics with bubbles; lherzolite xenoliths have relatively high heavy noble gases. The clinopyroxene megacryst has the lowest abundance of noble gases, probably due to its high P-T origin. Noble gas isotopic composition of the clinopyroxene megacryst reveals that the mantle source beneath the Kuandian area has an MORB-like reservoir with 3He/4He ratio of ～10 Ra (Ra: atmospheric 3He/4He ratio) and 40Ar/36Ar ratio of 345.6. The lherzolite xenoliths possess moderate 3He/4He ratios of 2.59-4.53 Ra, reflecting the loss of primary helium during rock deformation or metasomatism caused by enriched mantle fluids during the up-lifting. The alkali volcanics have very low 3He/4He ratios (0.47-0.61 Ra), indicating a contribution of radiogenic 4He, probably having resulted from crust contamination. Most of the samples have excess 21Ne and 22Ne as compared with atmospheric neon, but Kr and Xe isotopic compositions are indistinguishable from atmospheric values within uncertainties with only individual samples having excess 129Xe, 134Xe and 136Xe.

Helium and argon isotopic compositions of the Longquanzhan gold deposit in the Yishu fault zone and their geological implications

The Longquanzhan gold deposit hosted in granitic cataclasites with mylontization of the foot wall of the main Yishui-Tangtou fault. 3He/4He ratios in fluid inclusions range from 0. 14 to 0. 24 R/Ra,close to those of the crust-source helium. 40Ar/36Ar ratios were measured to be 289-1811, slightly higher than those of atmospheric argon. The results of analysis of helium and argon isotopes suggested that ore-forming fluids were derived chiefly from the crust. The δ18O values of fluid inclusions from vein quartz range from -1.78‰ to 4.07‰, and the δD values of the fluid inclusions vary between -74‰ and -77‰. The hydrogen and oxygen isotope data indicated that the ore-forming fluid for the Longquanzhan gold deposit had mixed with meteoric water in the process of mineralization. This is consistent with the conclusion from the helium and argon isotope data.

Characteristics of helium isotopes in natural gas and its tectonic implication in Bohai Bay Basin

Analysis on helium isotopes in natural gas in Bohai Bay Basin showed their mantle-origin indicated by high 3He/4He ratio. The span of 3He/4He ratio increased from west to east. This pattern im- plied a close relationship to the local tectonic setting. Bohai Bay Basin experienced intensive neo-tectonic activities in the Cenozoic. Widespread faulted-depressions and strong volcanic eruptions manifested its extensional tectonics. Abiogenic natural gas could be released from magmas and migrate upward through deep faults during the extension. Tectonic conditions in the area would favor upward invasion and reser- vation of mantle-originated helium. Furthermore, with decrease of convergence rate between the Pacific and the Eurasia Plate, the subduction slab of the Pacific Plate rolled back and became steeper, resulting in mantle flow and other tectonic activities migrating from west to east in nature, and caused the variation in isotopic helium ratios.

Geochemistry on mantle-derived volatiles in natural gases from eastern China oil/gas provinces (I )——Helium, argon and hydrocarbons in mantle volatiles

Researches on helium, argon, carbon dioxide and methane are very significant in studies of mantle substance characteristics and mantle evolution. A 【 -shaped pattern of the isotope composition distribution of helium and argon sourced from the mantle and the crust, abundance distribution, isotopic composition and reservoir formation of carbon dioxide, and mantle-sourced methane are discussed.

Helium Isotope Evidence of Mantle Degassing in Rift Valley, Eastern China

Radiogenic 40Ar and 4He found in atmosphere are considered to be produced byradioactive elements（e. g. U, Th）in the inner earth. Isotope composition of no-ble gases and ratios of their components are important geochemical indicators for thetheory of earth degassing and geochemical evolution of the mantle. The continuousand 'catastrophic' models of earth degassing have been suggested. The mantledegassing would be actually 'catastrophic' during geohistory and heterogeneous in dif-

Stress emission of helium and argon in coal seams

In the Yutianbao Mine, the Nantong Coal Field, Chongqing, a lot of gas samples were measured and analyzed. It has been found in these samples that helium is sensitive to stress concentration, while argon is sensitive to stress release. Compared with the flowing out of gas it-self, the combination of helium and argon can be more suitably used as an indicator to predict gas outburst. In a mining area of this mine, both d He > 30 and d Ar < -0.97 can be used critically to define the dangerous area. Also, the contour maps of d He, d Ar and CH4 can provide a guidance for engineering monitoring.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HELIUM ISOTOPES IN CO_2 GAS IN THE YAOJIE COALFIELD AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

Ⅰ. INTRODUCTION The Yaojie Coalfield is situated in Honggu District of Lanzhou, Gansu Province. It is a coal-bearing fault basin formed on the basis of the fossil upwarping of the Mid-Qilian Mountains in the Jurassic period. The Jurassic deposits accumulated directly on the metamorphic rock system of the Precambrian Huangyuan Group in which the Middle

Distribution of the Helium Isotopes in Natural Gases From Oil-gas-bearing Basins in China

1 Distribution of Samples and the Measured Results Natural gases from 252 industrial gas wells of 16 oil-gas-bearing regions in China have been sampled in the past ten years.The samples were stored in 1 L double-valve, high-pressure cylinders.~3He/~4He value of the samples was analysed on a

Isotope composition of helium in eclogite from the Dabie Mountains, central China and its geological significance

Isotopic geochemical characteristics of helium in garnet and omphacite of eclogite in the Dabie Mountains are discussed. Concentrations of 3He and 4He in garnet and omphacite are 3.9×10 -14- 24.0×10 -14 and 0.48×10 -7-9.42×10 -7cm+3·g -1, respectively. Values of 3He/ 4He have a range of (1.19-4.63)×10 -7. Helium in the eclogite is derived from both mantle and crust. Isotopic geochemical data of helium indicate that eclogite in the Dabie Mountains might be formed in depleted mantle and the age of the cologite would be Indo-China epoch.

Clinical Observation on the Combined Treatment of 57 Cases of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Using Argon-Helium Cryosurgery and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of the combined therapy using argon-helium cryosurgery （Ar-He knife） and Chinese herbal medicine in treating non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods： Fifty-seven patients of NSCLC were treated with the combined therapy and observed. Results： The treatment was successfully completed in all patients with mild adverse reactions. The effective rate was 83.8% 3 months after the operation, 79.6% 6 months after the operation, and 77.3% 12 months after the operation, with median survival of 9 months. The survival rate after 12 months was 46.67% （21/45）, 34.62% （9/26） after 18 months, and 36.36% （4/11） after 24 months. Conclusion： Argon-helium cryosurgery therapy is superior in its assured orientation, quick tumor load deprivation and less post- operational reaction. Combined with Chinese herbal medication, Argon-helium cryosurgery therapy can prolong survival time, relieve clinical symptoms, and elevate the quality of life in NSCLC patients, and is thus worthy of promotion.

Is there any relation between helium isotope composition of underground fluids and heat flow in continental areas?

The regression formula between 3He/4He ratio of underground fluids and terrestrial heat flow in continental areas is tested by data sets from the former Soviet Union and the mainland of China. The results show that there is no close relation between the two values. The heat-He relation might estimate the regional heat flow value with ±25% accuracy at best. We propose that the ratio of crust/mantle component of continental heat flow (qc/qm) be inversely related to the 3He/4He ratio of underground fluids. Based on data sets of 3He/4He ratio and qc/qm in the Eurasia and Canadian Shield, we obtain the regression relation between qc/qm and 3He/4He: qc/qm = 0.815-0.300*loge(3He/4He), in which the unit of 3He/4He is Ra (atmospheric 3He/4He ratio). The crust and mantle heat flow components can be taken from surface heat flow and qc/qm ratio. Based on this formula and heat flow data in major basins of China, the crustal, mantle heat flow values and the average crustal heat production rates were estimated. The

Helium isotope compositions of Machangqing copper deposit in western Yunnan, China

Helium isotopic composition of inclusion fluid in pyrites from Machangqing copper deposit, China, has been measured. The measurements, with 3He/ 4He ratios ranging from 0 46-2 08 Ra, indicate that the helium in ore_forming fluid is a mixture of crust and mantle, and are consistent with the fact that the parental magma responsible for the formation of ore_forming fluid of the deposit is of crust_mantle provenance.

Helium isotope studies of the mantle xenoliths and megacrysts from the Cenozoic basalts in the eastern China

Helium isotope compositions of the mantle xenoliths and megacrysts in the Cenozoic basalts in the eastern China were measured. The samples were collected from Ludao of Heilongjiang, Huinan and Jiaohe of Jilin, Kuandian of Liaoning, Hannuoba of Hebei, Nüshan of Anhui, Dingan of Hainan. The 3He/4He ratios of the mantle xenoliths and megacrysts from the most areas were about 1×10-5 , and were similar to those of the MORB, thus reflecting the characteristics of the MORB-typed depleted mantle. The 3He/4He ratios of the mantle xenoliths from Jiaohe were 4.8×10-6 and the 3He/4He ratios of xenoliths from Hannuoba vary from 0.15×10-6 to 7.4×10-6 , obviously lower than those of the MORB, and even lower than the atmospheric helium isotope ratios, indicating that the continental mantle was strongly replaced in Jiaohe and Hannuoba areas. The helium isotope compositions of the mantle xenoliths and megacrysts in the same region vary in a very wide range. It is inferred that the mantle xenoliths and megacrysts were from different parts of the continental mantle. There were not necessary origin relations between the mantle xenoliths, megacrysts and their host basalts. An extremely high 3He/4He ratio of garnet megacryst from Hannuoba, Hebei was found.

Mechanism research on combination of decoction for reinforcing lung Qi and argon helium lancet in treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of decoction for reinforcing lung Qi on T-lymphocytic function, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in peripheral blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer after operation with argon helium lancet in order to explore its mechanism.METHODS: A total of 76 patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer without surgical indication were randomly divided into a treatment group treated with decoction for reinforcing lung Qi and argon helium lancet and a control group treated with argon helium lancet only to observe lymphocytic proliferation, detect the percentage of positive cells in the T-lymphocyte CD28 with flow cytometry and detect the expression of IL-2 and TNF-α in peripheral blood with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS: Proliferation of T-lymphocytes and expression of CD28, IL-2 and TNF-α in peripheral blood after treatment in the treatment group were more obviously strengthened than those before treatment and those in the control group (all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The mechanism of using decoction for reinforcing lung Qi and argon helium lancet to treat lung cancer may be realized through promoting T-lymphocytic proliferation, up-regulating expression of CD28, IL-2 and TNF-α, and activating T-cells.

Helium isotope investigation on magnetic reversal boundaries of loess-paleosol sequence at Luochuan, central Chinese Loess Plateau

Extraterrestrial particles have higher 3He/4He ratios than those of terrestrial sediments ( > 100 Ra versus < 0.03 Ra, where Ra is the 3He/4He ratio normalized to the atmospheric value of 1.4×10?6). The inter- planetary dust particles (IDPs), which are very rich in 3He, continuously bombard the Earth and can accumulate in deposits. IDPs sedimentation rate changes can significantly influence 3He concentration in the Earth surface sediments. Since IDPs are not easy to detect in terrestrial deposits, measuring helium isotopes is a helpful approach to examine changes in IDPs. Helium concentration and helium isotopic composition magnetic substances and the quartz particles were examined for helium concen- tration and helium isotopic ratio. Results show that the 3He/4He ratio and the 3He concentrations of the magnetic substances are clearly higher than those of the bulk samples and the quartz particles, and, the 3He/4He ratio of the extracted magnetic substances is also higher than that of the average level of the Earth’s crust. The higher helium content in the magnetic fractions can be explained by an influx of IDPs.