Stable isotopes of carbon dioxide in soil gas over massive sulfide mineralization at Crandon, Wisconsin

Journal of Geochemical Exploration
By: , and 

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Abstract

Stable isotope ratios of oxygen and carbon were determined for CO2 in soil gas in the vicinity of the massive sulfide deposit at Crandon, Wisconsin with the objective of determining the source of anomalously high CO2 concentrations detected previously by McCarthy et al. (1986). Values of δ13C in soil gas CO2 from depths between 0.5 and 1.0 m were found to range from −12.68‰ to −20.03‰ (PDB). Organic carbon from the uppermost meter of soil has δ13C between −24.1 and −25.8‰ (PDB), indicating derivation from plant species with the C3 (Calvin) type of photosynthetic pathway. Microbial decomposition of the organic carbon and root respiration from C3 and C4 (Hatch-Slack) plants, together with atmospheric CO2 are the likely sources of carbon in soil gas CO2. Values of δ18O in soil-gas CO2 range from 32 to 38‰ (SMOW). These δ18O values are intermediate between that calculated for CO2 gas in isotopic equilibrium with local groundwaters and that for atmospheric CO2. The δ18O data indicate that atmospheric CO2 has been incorporated by mixing or diffusion. Any CO2 generated by microbial oxidation of organic matter has equilibrated its oxygen isotopes with the local groundwaters.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Stable isotopes of carbon dioxide in soil gas over massive sulfide mineralization at Crandon, Wisconsin
Series title Journal of Geochemical Exploration
DOI 10.1016/0375-6742(90)90093-P
Volume 38
Issue 1-2
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) California Water Science Center
Description 18 p.
First page 69
Last page 86
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