Abstract
We have measured helium isotopic ratios of thirty-seven Pacific water samples from various depths collected in adjacent regions of Honshu, Japan. The 3He/4He ratios vary significantly from 0.989 R atm to 1.208 R atm where R atm is the atmospheric ratio of 1.39 × 10−6. The mid-depth (750–1500 m) profile of 3He/4He ratios at ST-1 located Northwestern Pacific Ocean east of Japan (Off Joban; 37°00′ N, 142°40′ E) is significantly different from that at ST-2 of the Northern Philippine Sea south of Japan (Nankai Trough; 33°07′ N, 139°59′ E), suggesting that these waters were separated by a topographic barrier, the Izu-Ogasawara Ridge. Taking 3He/4He data of the Geosecs expeditions in the western North Pacific, an extensive plume of 15% excess 3He relative to the air may be traced at ST-1 over 12,000 kilometers to the northwest of the East Pacific Rise where the mantle helium may originate. The 20% excess found at ST-2 may be attributable to the additional source of the subduction-type mantle helium in the Okinawa Trough. A 15% excess of 3He has also been discovered at a depth of about 1000∼1500 m at ST-3 adjacent to Miyakejima Island (33°57′ N, 139°22′ E) and ST-4 of Sagami Bay (35°00′ N, 139°22′ E). It is confirmed that mid-depth all over the western North Pacific water is affected by the mantle helium with a high 3He/4He ratio.
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Sano, Y., Kosugi, T., Takahata, N. et al. Helium Isotopes in Pacific Waters from Adjacent Region of Honshu, Japan. Journal of Oceanography 60, 625–630 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOCE.0000038354.11963.b8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOCE.0000038354.11963.b8