Helium and carbon isotopes in the dissolved gases of Friuli region (NE Italy): geochemical evidence of CO2 production and degassing over a seismically active area.

The first geochemical data showing the existence of an active degassing activity over a large seismically active sector of the Southern Alps (Friuli Region, NE Italy) are presented. The dissolved gases, helium and carbon isotopic systematics of 46 water samples taken from 13 sites running along E–W and NE–SW faults besides the natural degassing of a 5000 km2 wide area are investigated. The chemical composition of the dissolved gases revealed that a CO2-rich gas phase feeds the local groundwaters. 3He/4He ratios (R) normalized to the atmospheric 3He/4He ratio (Ra=1.39×10−6) and corrected for the atmospheric contamination (R/Rac), range from 0.29 to 1 as a result of a two component (radiogenic and atmospheric) mixing. The δ13C values of total dissolved inorganic carbon (TDIC) ranging from −15.28 to −0.75‰ vs. PDB, show the occurrence of multiple gas–water interactions. The mixing between the atmospheric air and a crustal source and the gas–water interactions occurring at various extents