• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

  • About
    • About AAAS
    • About the NSF
    • About the Conference
    • Partners/Supporters
    • Project Team
  • Conference
  • Abstracts
    • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
    • Graduate Abstract Locator
    • Abstract Submission Process
    • Presentation Schedules
    • Abstract Submission Guidelines
    • Presentation Guidelines
  • Travel Awards
  • Resources
    • Award Winners
    • Code of Conduct-AAAS Meetings
    • Code of Conduct-ERN Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Conference Materials
    • Conference Program Books
    • ERN Photo Galleries
    • Events | Opportunities
    • Exhibitor Info
    • HBCU-UP/CREST PI/PD Meeting
    • In the News
    • NSF Harassment Policy
    • Plenary Session Videos
    • Professional Development
    • Science Careers Handbook
    • Additional Resources
    • Archives
  • Engage
    • Webinars
    • ERN 10-Year Anniversary Videos
    • Plenary Session Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Methane and Helium Systematics of the Western Panamanian Volcanic Front

Graduate #67
Discipline: Ecology Environmental and Earth Sciences
Subcategory: Geosciences and Earth Sciences

Cristian Virrueta - University of California San Diego


This research project focuses on methane-helium relationships (δ13CCH4 and 3He/4He) to elucidate on the complex tectonic and geologic environment of Panama. Panama has three volcanoes active since the Holocene (Baru, El Valle, and La Yeguada) and we target geothermal fluids (fumaroles, hot springs, and other geothermal waters) for their volatile systematics. We aim to understand the methane characteristics of these volcanoes, its origins as biogenic, thermogenic, and abiogenic methane, and its relationship to 3He/4He ratios as a discriminate of methane provenance and its volcanic flux. While samples will be characterized for their general gas chemistry, we obtained isotope data on CH4 and He to derive information of the sources of these volatiles. This will allow us to resolve origins between sedimentary inputs – associated with subduction of sediments in the region, and mantle inputs with/without modification in the crust and/or the geothermal system. Eight geothermal samples were collected following a west-to-east transect across western Panama. The approach adopted involves transfer of the field sample to a laboratory-based vacuum system, carefully avoiding air contamination. An FID gas chromatograph analyzes the hydrocarbon gas chemistry to determine relative abundances. The methane is then isolated from other gaseous constituents within each sample using a TCD gas chromatograph, oxidized to pure CO2, and condensed into a suitable container for transfer to a mass spectrometer for isotope measurement. Across all sampling sites, the 3He/4He isotope data ranges between 1.35 RA and 9.09 RA, with δ13C signatures between -7.9 and -23.9‰. The MORB-like and abiogenic signatures suggests that subduction may play an important role in the creation of the Baru, La Yeguada, and El Valle volcanoes within western Panama. The unusually high 3He/4He ratios with increasing distance from the trench may be explained by the shallowing of the subduction angle and varying crustal thickness. Eastern Panama is devoid of any active volcanism presumably due to the cessation of subduction in that area.

Not Submitted

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Warren College Research Scholarship

Faculty Advisor: David Hilton, drhilton@ucsd.edu

Sidebar

Abstract Locators

  • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
  • Graduate Abstract Locator

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

1200 New York Ave, NW
Washington,DC 20005
202-326-6400
Contact Us
About Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The World’s Largest General Scientific Society

Useful Links

  • Membership
  • Careers at AAAS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Focus Areas

  • Science Education
  • Science Diplomacy
  • Public Engagement
  • Careers in STEM

Focus Areas

  • Shaping Science Policy
  • Advocacy for Evidence
  • R&D Budget Analysis
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Law

© 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science