Dissolved nitrous oxide (N2O) dynamics in agricultural field drains and headwater streams in an intensive arable catchment

Indirect nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions produced by nitrogen (N) leaching into surface water and groundwater bodies are poorly understood in comparison to direct N₂O emissions from soils. In this study, dissolved N₂O concentrations were measured weekly in both lowland headwater streams and subsurface agricultural field drain discharges over a 2‐year period (2013–2015) in an intensive arable catchment, Norfolk, UK. All field drain and stream water samples were found to have dissolved N₂O concentrations higher than the water–air equilibrium concentration, illustrating that all sites were acting as a net source of N₂O emissions to the atmosphere. Soil texture was found to significantly influence field drain N₂O dynamics, with mean concentrations from drains in clay loam soils (5.3 μg N L^?1) being greater than drains in sandy loam soils (4.0 μg N L^?1). Soil texture also impacted upon the relationships between field drain N₂O concentrations and other water quality parameters (pH, flow rate, and nitrate (NO₃) and nitrite (NO₂) concentrations), highlighting possible differences in N₂O production mechanisms in different soil types. Catchment antecedent moisture conditions influenced the storm event mobilisation of N₂O in both field drains and streams, with the greatest concentration increases recorded during precipitation events preceded by prolonged wet conditions. N₂O concentrations also varied seasonally, with the lowest mean concentrations typically occurring during the summer months (JJA). Nitrogen fertiliser application rates and different soil inversion regimes were found to have no effect on dissolved N₂O concentrations, whereas higher N₂O concentrations recorded in field drains under a winter cover crop compared to fallow fields revealed cover crops are an ineffective greenhouse gas emission mitigation strategy. Overall, this study highlights the complex interactions governing the dynamics of dissolved N₂O concentrations in field drains and headwater streams in a lowland intensive agricultural catchment.     

Spatial variability of N2O concentrations and of denitrification-related factors in the surficial groundwater of a catchment in Northern Germany

N₂O concentrations and denitrification-related factors (NO₃, SO₄, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and CO₂) were investigated in the surface groundwater of a catchment in northern Germany, the Fuhrberger Feld Aquifer (FFA). We sampled 79 plots that were selected according to the three criteria of land use, historical land use conversion (1954–1995) and groundwater level. We sampled three sites within each plot. The sampling depth was 0.5 m below the groundwater surface.We found no indication for the occurrence of autotrophic denitrification in the surface groundwater. Heterotrophic denitrification was identified as the main process for N₂O accumulation. The variability of N₂O concentrations on the plot-scale was extremely high and was poorly explained by the three sampling criteria. Other denitrification-related variables such as NO₃, SO₄ and DOC were less variable. The selection criteria land use and groundwater level clearly influenced the order of magnitude of N₂O concentrations in the surface groundwater. Under arable land, high NO₃ concentrations resulted in high N₂O concentrations. The surface groundwater under forest and pasture was almost NO₃-free and had also very small N₂O concentrations. Plots where the distance from the soil surface to the groundwater surface was large (>1 m up to 3.4 m) showed higher N₂O concentrations in the surface groundwater than plots where the distance was small (<1 m). A larger distance from the soil surface to the groundwater leads to a longer residence time and more decomposition of DOC in the soil. Consequently the less bioavailable DOC could inhibit the efficiency of the heterotrophic denitrification in the groundwater, yielding more N₂O. Elevated organic carbon levels in plots with historic land use conversion (pasture to arable) were very stable and did not influence N₂O concentrations. The high within plot variability showed that an upscaling of N₂O from the plot-scale to the catchment-scale is possible as long as the groundwater level regime and the land use do not change.     

Bacterial biogas production in coastal systems affected by freshwater inputs

The concentrations of two greenhouse gases, nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄), and the bacterial processes involved in their production (nitrification and denitrification for N₂O, and methanogenesis for CH₄), were determined in surface waters of two coastal areas under the influence of freshwater inputs, on one part in the Gulf of Lions and the Rhone River plume, in northwestern Mediterranean Sea, and on the other part in the inner Thermaikos Gulf, in Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean Sea. High concentrations of dissolved CH₄ and N₂O were recorded in the surface waters of Gulf of Lions and Gulf of Thermaikos, up to 1300 nM for CH₄, and 40 nM for N₂O. No direct relationship could be found between the concentration and production of the biogases, as they may also be produced in deep water or bottom sediment in shallow areas, or derived from anthropogenic activity or ship contamination in polluted areas. Irrespective of the origin of CH₄ and N₂O, the presence of extremely high concentrations of these two gases in superficial seawater implies that they can easily escape to the atmosphere; consequently, these nearshore waters enriched in greenhouse gases may play an important role in the increase in atmospheric concentration of both CH₄ and N₂O.     

Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Sewer Systems

Nitrous oxide emissions from urban wastewater were measured in a combined sewer in Bayreuth, Germany. The closed-chamber method was used to evaluate N₂O emissions. Nitrous oxide was analysed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. Longitudinal and daily variations of N₂O fluxes were determined. N₂O emissions ranged from 0.11…3.8 mg m^?2 h^?1 depending on the level of wastewater in the sewer. Data indicate that N₂O is mainly formed in the biofilm by nitrification and/or denitrification. In laboratory experiments, samples with wastewater and wastewater/biofilm mixture were incubated with and without NaCl. After two hours of incubation, N₂O release was in a range of 42…429 ng N₂O per millilitre wastewater or wastewater/biofilm. Incubated samples without NaCl addition showed no significant difference between wastewater and wastewater/biofilm mixture. If salt (NaCl) was added before incubation, samples with wastewater/biofilm mixture emitted 4.8 times more N₂O than wastewater samples. It is assumed that high concentrations of NaCl inhibit further microbial reduction of N₂O to N₂. Based on the field data, a first estimate for N₂O emission from sewers is 3.5 g N₂O per year and person.     

城市湖泊不同水生植被区水体温室气体溶存浓度及其影响因素

为了解城市湖泊不同水生植被区水体温室气体的溶存浓度及其影响因素,于2015年4-11月按每月2次的频率采用顶空平衡法对聊城市铃铛湖典型植被区——菹草区、莲藕区和睡莲区表层水中CO₂、CH₄和N₂O的溶存浓度进行监测,计算水中温室气体的饱和度和排放通量,并测定水温（T）、pH、溶解氧（DO）、叶绿素a及营养盐浓度等理化指标,以探究水体环境因子对温室气体溶存浓度的影响.结果表明,铃铛湖各植被区水体温室气体均处于过饱和状态,是大气温室气体的"源";莲藕区CH₄浓度、饱和度和排放通量均显著高于菹草区,而各植被区N₂O和CO₂均无显著性差异;不同植被区湖水中DO、总氮（TN）、总磷（TP）和硝态氮（NO₃^--N）浓度具有显著差异,其中DO、TN和NO₃^--N浓度均表现为菹草区最高,莲藕区最低,而TP浓度则正好相反;各植被区温室气体浓度和水环境参数间的相关分析和多元回归分析的结果表明,水生植物可通过影响水体的理化性质对温室气体的产生和排放产生显著差异影响,在菹草区亚硝态氮（NO₂^--N）、NO₃^--N、T和DO是控制水体温室气体浓度的主要因子;睡莲区为TP和pH;莲藕区则为pH、NO₂^--N和DO.     

Effect of intensity and duration of freezing on soil microbial biomass,extractable C and N pools,and N2O and CO2 emissions from forest soils in cold temperate region

Freezing can increase the emissions of carbon dioxide(CO_2) and nitrous oxide(N_2O) and the release of labile carbon(C) and nitrogen(N) pools into the soil. However, there is limited knowledge about how both emissions respond differently to soil freezing and their relationships to soil properties. We evaluated the effect of intensity and duration of freezing on the emissions of CO_2 and N_2 O, net N mineralization, microbial biomass, and extractable C and N pools in soils from a mature broadleaf and Korean pine mixed forest and an adjacent secondary white birch forest in northeastern China. These soils had different contents of microbial biomass and bulk density. Intact soil cores of 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm depth sampled from the two temperate forest floors were subjected to -8, -18, and -80°C freezing treatments for a short(10 d) and long(145 d) duration, and then respectively incubated at 10°C for 21 d. Soil cores, incubated at 10°C for 21 d without a pretreatment of freezing, served as control. Emissions of N_2 O and CO_2 after thaw varied with forest type, soil depth, and freezing treatment. The difference could be induced by the soil water-filled pore space(WFPS) during incubation and availability of substrates for N_2 O and CO_2 production, which are released by freezing. A maximum N_2 O emission following thawing of frozen soils was observed at approximately 80% WFPS, whereas CO_2 emission from soils after thaw significantly increased with increasing WFPS. The soil dissolved organic C just after freezing treatment and CO_2 emission increased with increase of freezing duration, which paralleled with a decrease in soil microbial biomass C. The cumulative net N mineralization and net ammonification after freezing treatment as well as N_2 O emission were significantly affected by freezing temperature. The N_2 O emission was negatively correlated to soil p H and bulk density, but positively correlated to soil K_2SO_4-extractable NO_3~--N content and net ammonification. The CO_2 emission was positively correlated to the cumulative net N mineralization and net ammonification. From the above results, it can be reasonably concluded that for a wide range of freezing temperature and freezing duration, N_2 O and CO_2 emissions after thaw were associated mainly with the changes in soil net N mineralization and the availability of substrate liberated by freezing as well as other soil properties that influence porosity.     

湖、库水体N2O排放研究进展

湖、库水体是重要的N₂O排放源,在全球氮素循环及全球气候变化中具有重要作用.本文综述了目前有关湖、库水体N₂O排放研究进展,重点介绍湖、库水体N₂O产生和排放的过程、不同时空尺度的排放特征、N₂O排放的影响因子框架及监测方法.湖、库水体N₂O不仅源于内部微生物硝化作用、反硝化作用、硝化-反硝化耦合作用、脱氮作用以及极少数底栖无脊椎动物代谢过程,同时流域上游河流汇入、地表径流输入、污水排放以及地下水排泄等构成湖、库水体N₂O的重要外源,但目前对内源/外源的相对贡献的定量化研究不足;湖、库水体N₂O排放方式包括扩散、植物传输及少量气泡排放,对水库而言,大坝下游水电涡轮机形成的脱气作用可能是N₂O排放的潜在途径.对文献综合分析表明,湖、库水体N₂O排放通常呈现明显的季节变化（夏季>冬季）和日变化,同时在全球（一般低纬度>高纬度）、区域及水体内部等不同尺度上表现出显著的空间变异性;这种时空变异特征主要受到湖、库自身理化因子（温度、营养盐、溶解氧、C/N、水文）、生物因子（水生植物、藻华）以及陆域人类活动（污水排放、农业活动以及城市化等）的影响;湖、库N₂O排放不同监测方法的差异也是潜在的影响因素,传统的漂浮箱法和薄边界层法均可能低估水体N₂O排放通量,未来需将传统的监测方法与新型的涡度相关法相结合,减小监测方法的不确定性.结合当前湖、库水体N₂O排放的研究不足,建议未来可以从湖、库N₂O产生的微生物机制,区域尺度上人类活动与湖、库群N₂O排放的耦合关系,水陆交错带的产、排过程,变化环境下的湖、库N₂O排放以及监测方法等方面深入研究.     

The oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) off Chile as intense source of CO2 and N2O

The oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) are recognized as intense sources of N₂O greenhouse gas (GHG) and could also be potential sources of CO₂, the most important GHG for the present climate change. This study evaluates, for one of the most intense and shallow OMZ, the Chilean East South Pacific OMZ, the simultaneous N₂O and CO₂ fluxes at the air–sea interface. Four cruises (2000–2002) and 1 year of monitoring (21°–30°–36°S) off Chile allowed the determination of the CO₂ and N₂O concentrations at the sea surface and the analysis of fluxes variations associated with different OMZ configurations. The Chilean OMZ area can be an intense GHG oceanic local source of both N₂O and CO₂. The mean N₂O fluxes are 5–10 times higher than the maximal previous historical source in an OMZ open area as in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. For CO₂, the mean fluxes are also positive and correspond to very high oceanic sources. Even if different coupling and decoupling between N₂O and CO₂ are observed along the Chilean OMZ, 65% of the situations represent high CO₂ and/or N₂O sources. The high GHG sources are associated with coastal upwelling transport of OMZ waters rich in N₂O and probably also in CO₂, located at a shallow depth. The integrated OMZ role on GHG should be better considered to improve our understanding of the past and future atmospheric CO₂ and N₂O evolutions.     

Daytime F2-layer positive storm effect at middle and lower latitudes

Daytime F2-layer positive storm effects at middle and lower latitudes in the winter thermosphere are analyzed using AE-C, ESRO-4 neutral gas composition data, ground-based ionosonde observations and model calculations. Different longitudinal sectors marked by the storm onset as ‘night-time’ and ‘daytime’ demonstrate different F2-layer positive storm mechanisms. Neutral composition changes in the ‘night-time’ sector with increased [O] and [N₂] absolute concentrations, while (N₂/O)_storm/(N₂/O)_quiet\approx1 at F2-layer heights, are shown to contribute largely to the background N_mF2 increase at lower latitudes lasting during daytime hours. Storm-induced surges of the equatorward wind give rise to an additional N_mF2 increase above this background level. The mid-latitude F2-layer positive storm effect in the ‘daytime’ sector is due to the vertical plasma drift increase, resulting from the interaction of background (poleward) and storm-induced (equatorward) thermospheric winds, but not to changes of [O] and [N₂] concentrations.     

Greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, and N2O) from several perialpine and alpine hydropower reservoirs by diffusion and loss in turbines

We investigated greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O) from reservoirs located across an altitude gradient in Switzerland. These are the first results of greenhouse gas emissions from reservoirs at high elevations in the Alps. Depth profiles were taken in 11 reservoirs located at different altitudes between the years 2003 and 2006. Diffusive trace gas emissions were calculated using surface gas concentrations, wind speeds and transfer velocities. Additionally, methane entering with the inflowing water and methane loss at the turbine was assessed for a subset of the reservoirs. All reservoirs were emitters of carbon dioxide and methane with an average of 970?±?340?mg?m^?2?day^?1 (results only from four lowland and one subalpine reservoir) and 0.20?±?0.15?mg?m^?2?day^?1, respectively. One reservoir (Lake Wohlen) emitted methane at a much higher rate (1.8?±?0.9?mg?m^?2?day^?1) than the other investigated reservoirs. There was no significant difference in methane emissions across the altitude gradient, but average dissolved methane concentrations decreased with increasing elevation. Only lowland reservoirs were sources for N₂O (72?±?22???g?m^?2?day^?1), while the subalpine and alpine reservoirs were in equilibrium with atmospheric concentrations. These results indicate reservoirs from subalpine/alpine regions to be only minor contributors of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere compared to other reservoirs.     

Direct measurement of dissolved N2 and denitrification along a subtropical river-estuary gradient,China

The spatial pattern and seasonal variation of denitrification were investigated during 2010–2011 in the Jiulong River Estuary (JRE) in southeast China. Dissolved N₂ was directly measured by changes in the N₂:Ar ratio. The results showed that excess dissolved N₂ ranged from ?9.9 to 76.4 μmol L^?1. Tidal mixing leads to a seaward decline of dissolved gaseous concentrations and water–air fluxes along the river-estuary gradient. Denitrification at freshwater sites varied between seasons, associated with changes in N input and water temperature. The denitrification process was controlled by the nitrate level at freshwater sites, and the excess dissolved N₂ observed at the tidal zone largely originated from upstream water transport. Compared to other estuaries, JRE has a relative low gaseous removal efficiency (E_d = 12% of [DIN]; annual N removal = 24% of DIN load), a fact ascribed to strong tidal mixing, coarse-textured sediment with shallow depth before bedrock and high riverine DIN input.     

Einfluß einiger Umweltfaktoren auf die N2O-Bildung durch Belebtschlamm unter anoxischen Bedingungen Influence of Some Environmental Conditions on N2O-Release by Activated Sludge under Anoxic Conditions

The release of nitrous oxide during denitrification in activated sludge is influenced by various environmental factors. Experiments with different electron acceptors showed that under anoxic conditions increasing concentrations of nitrate as well as nitrite enhance the production of N₂O. The N₂O concentration in the gas phase increases for 2 h, then decreases. Nitrite causes a higher release of N₂O than nitrate. Acetate in high concentration can stimulate N₂O-release. Without addition of acetate nitrate and nitrite reduction are delayed, and hence N₂O-release and consumption are much slower. In activated sludge sulfide can play a role as an inhibitor of the nitrous oxide reductase (like in soil and pure cultures), but is inactivated very rapidly. Repeated addition of sulfide can cause a new release of nitrous oxide. At low pH (less than 6.5) denitrification is slightly inhibited and N₂O-release is 100 times higher than at pH 7.0 to 8.0. Under oxygen-limiting conditions N₂O-release and denitrification starts at 0.5–1.0 mg/L DO, but it is not always accompanied by accumulation of nitrite. Further reduction of the oxygen concentration reduces N₂O-release.     

藻型湖区氧化亚氮排放特征及其影响因素

湖泊等内陆水体是大气N₂O潜在的重要排放源,也是全球N₂O收支估算的重要组成部分。目前全球湖泊普遍面临富营养化和蓝藻暴发等问题,明晰藻型湖泊N₂O排放强度及其环境影响因子对准确估算湖泊N₂O排放和预测其未来变化至关重要。本研究选择太湖藻型湖区为研究对象,同时选取人为活动影响较小的湖心区作为对比区域,基于2011年8月至2013年8月为期2年的逐月连续观测,探讨藻型湖区N₂O排放特征及其影响因素。结果表明,藻型湖区呈现极强的N₂O排放,其排放通量为(4.88±3.05) mmol/(m²·d),是参考区域(湖心:(2.10±4.31) mmol/(m²·d))的2倍多。此外,在藻型湖区中不同点位N₂O排放差异显著,受河流外源输入影响,近岸区是N₂O的热点排放区,其年均排放通量高达10.93 mmol/(m²·d)。连续观测表明N₂     

Global and regional N2O measurements

Real-time N₂O measurements have been madein situ at the South Pole, Antarctica, north and south of the equator from on board the Alpha Helix and over the Pacific Ocean on several aircraft flights from the U.S. to New Zealand, Australia and 90°S. In addition, an automated EC-GC has been operated for the past year intermittently monitoring N₂O in surface air at a rural site in the wheatlands of eastern Washington state. The data obtained are consistent and in agreement with the data obtained from the analyses of a large number of samples collected both from ground stations and a variety of aircraft flights made in the southern and northern hemisphere. The observed global data show no interhemispheric differences. The present concentration of N₂O in the troposphere is measured to be 330±3 ppbv. Its vertical distribution in the troposphere is very uniform. A small decrease (2–3 percent) across the tropopause is characteristically observed in the high altitude Learjet flights.     

Impact of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee on riparian zone hydrology and biogeochemistry

Although riparian zones are well known to reduce nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) runoff to streams, they also have the potential to affect greenhouse gas (CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄) fluxes to the atmosphere. Following large storms, soil biogeochemical conditions often become more reduced, especially in oxbow depressions and side channels, which can lead to hot moments of greenhouse gas production. Here, we investigate the impact of the remnants of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee on riparian zone hydrology (water table: WT), and biogeochemistry (oxidation‐reduction potential [ORP], dissolved oxygen [DO], NO₃^?, PO₄^3?, CO₂, N₂O, CH₄). Results indicate that large storms have the potential to reset WT levels for weeks to months. Overbank flooding at our site following Irene and Lee led to the infiltration of well‐oxygenated water at depth (higher DO and ORP) while promoting the development of anoxic conditions within soil aggregates near the soil surface (increased N₂O and CH₄ fluxes). A short‐term increase in CO₂ emission was observed following Irene at our site where aerobic respiration was water‐limited. Over a 2‐year period, an oxbow depression exhibited higher WT, higher N₂O and CH₄ fluxes (hot moment), higher CO₂ fluxes (seasonal), and lower NO₃^? concentrations (seasonal) than the rest of the riparian zone. However, neither Irene, nor Lee, nor the oxbow depression significantly impacted PO₄^3?. Dissolved organic carbon, ORP, and DO data illustrate the time‐lag (>20 years) between the creation of an oxbow depression and the development of reducing conditions despite clear differences in riparian zone and oxbow WT dynamics.     

N2O emissions from regional agricultural lands A case study of Guizhou Province, southwestern China

To preliminarily study N₂O emissions and the importance of environmental parameters on N₂O flux from subtropical agroecosystem in China, N₂O flux measurements were made at three cultivated agricultural lands in Guizhou Province, southwestern China. Based on the test and validation of daily N₂O flux and its several associated variables between DNDC model and field measurements, DNDC model has been employed to estimate total N₂O emissions from entire agricultural lands and its spatial distribution at county scale in Guizhou in 1995, and to assess the contributions of cropping practices on N₂O emissions.     

Depth profiles of chlorofluoromethanes in the Norwegian sea

Depth profiles of the chlorofluoromethanes (CFM), CFCl₃ and CF₂Cl₂, have been obtained together with tritium profiles from water samples collected in the Norwegian Sea between surface and 2800 m depth. CFM analysis was performed by vacuum extraction of the dissolved gases from 500 ml samples of seawater and subsequent gaschromatographic measurement. The CFM concentration decreases with depth to about 10 percent of surface concentration at depths below 2000 m. The same behaviour is found for the tritium content. From a correlation of the CFM and tritium concentration the upper limit of the preindustrial atmospheric CFM levels can be estimated to 5 percent of the present day concentrations.     

Measuring Concentrations of Dissolved Methane and Ethane and the 13C of Methane in Shale and Till

Baseline characterization of concentrations and isotopic values of dissolved natural gases is needed to identify contamination caused by the leakage of fugitive gases from oil and gas activities. Methods to collect and analyze baseline concentration‐depth profiles of dissolved CH₄ and C₂H₆ and δ¹³C‐CH₄ in shales and Quaternary clayey tills were assessed at two sites in the Williston Basin, Canada. Core and cuttings samples were stored in Isojars^® in a low O₂ headspace prior to analysis. Measurements and multiphase diffusion modeling show that the gas concentrations in core samples yield well‐defined and reproducible depth profiles after 31‐d equilibration. No measurable oxidative loss or production during core sample storage was observed. Concentrations from cuttings and mud gas logging (including IsoTubes^®) were much lower than from cores, but correlated well. Simulations suggest the lower concentrations from cuttings can be attributed to drilling time, and therefore their use to define gas concentration profiles may have inherent limitations. Calculations based on mud gas logging show the method can provide estimates of core concentrations if operational parameters for the mud gas capture cylinder are quantified. The δ¹³C‐CH₄ measured from mud gas, IsoTubes^®, cuttings, and core samples are consistent, exhibiting slight variations that should not alter the implications of the results in identifying the sources of the gases. This study shows core and mud gas techniques and, to a lesser extent, cuttings, can generate high‐resolution depth profiles of dissolved hydrocarbon gas concentrations and their isotopes.     

Denitrification in Chongming east tidal flat sediment, Yangtze estuary, China

From July 2003 to July 2004, samples were collected on Chongming Island east tidal flat every two months. The research showed that the nitrous oxide (N2O) production rate was very low in the water, Chongming east tidal flat (CM) sediment was the N2O source of the water. Sediment N2O natural production rate was between -0.08 and 1.74 μmolN·m-2·h-1. N2O natural production rate was higher in the summer. The difference of the N2O natural production rate in the different tidal flats, the correlation between the N2O natural production rate and the denitrification rate, and those with the temperature and DO indicate that middle tidal flat sediment denitrification was the main process of the N2O production, while in the low tidal flat sediment, the production of the N2O came from several processes of the nitrogen cycling. Tidal flat sediment denitrification reaction was stronger in summer and winter but relatively lower in the late autumn and early spring. Seasonal change of the sediment denitrification rate was wide, from 1.12 to 33.34 μmolN·m-2·h-1. Temperature, DO and the coactions of them had the prominent effect on the tidal flat sediment denitrification.     

N<Subscript>2</Subscript>, Ar,and He as a tool for discriminating sources of volcanic fluids with application to Vulcano,Italy

A detailed analysis of published data on the N₂, Ar, and He content and Ar and He isotopic composition of fumarolic fluids from Vulcano crater (south Italy) supports a model with two endmembers comprising magmatic and hydrothermal fluids with correspondingly low and high H₂O content. The magmatic component with the highest ³He/⁴He and highest absolute concentrations of N₂, Ar, and He also has the lowest N₂/Ar and N₂/He ratios (∼300 and ∼500, respectively). In contrast, the hydrothermal endmember, with the lower ³He/⁴He and lower absolute N₂, Ar, and He abundances, has high N₂/Ar (∼1,000) and high N₂/He (>3,000) ratios. The hydrothermal component is also characterized by the highest ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios (>1,000) and is proposed to be the main carrier of metamorphic gases from the arc crust.