Helium concentration in the Earth's lower atmosphere
Abstract
Measurements in 1981 of the helium content of the Earth's lower atmosphere have given a value of 5.222 ± 0.017 ppm by volume. This value, obtained by isotope dilution mass spectrometry, is 0.3% lower, but in essential agreement with the currently accepted value of 5.239 ± 0.004 ppm determined by Glueckauf in the 1930's. A consideration of processes that could have altered the helium concentration since the 1930's indicates that the concentration could have increased measurably due to release of helium by natural gas production. Possible net helium loss from the atmosphere is, however, not readily quantifiable.
- Publication:
-
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
- Pub Date:
- September 1984
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0016-7037(84)90030-9
- Bibcode:
- 1984GeCoA..48.1759O
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Composition;
- Helium Isotopes;
- Lower Atmosphere;
- Air Sampling;
- Mass Spectroscopy