Deconvolving Magmatic, Crustal and Atmospheric Gases in Yellowstone using a Coupled Noble Gas and Nitrogen Isotope Approach

地球表面富含挥发性元素（如氢、碳、氮），为地球上的生命提供了独特的生存条件。然而，地球挥发物的起源仍然是个谜，围绕挥发物的来源和行星吸积的总体时间有相当大的争论和不确定性。分析从地幔发出的原始气体的组成是确定地球挥发物起源的最佳途径之一。黄石-哥伦比亚河火山大省是地球上为数不多的火山地区之一，在那里，原始的、羽流衍生的岩浆气体到达地表，可以很容易地收集起来进行分析。以前在黄石研究的地球化学数据表明，气体喷口来自于一个深层的地幔柱，主要是球粒岩。在这个项目中，将对黄石国家公园（YNP）的气体排放进行全面研究。目的是：(i)调查黄石火山柱与太古宙地壳基底相互作用的性质和程度，这将进一步深入了解（ii） YNP火山柱的来源，以及（iii）混淆地幔源信号的过程。具体而言，所提出的研究将以前所未有的空间和分析分辨率约束YNP岩浆气体及其母柱地幔源的组成。pi将采用静态惰性气体质谱技术、团块N同位素测量和首次对岩浆气体进行超高精度（亚千分之一精度）动态质谱测量，对地幔、地壳和大气端元进行反卷积，并对黄石火山羽流中挥发物的来源进行更严格的限制，这将有助于确定地球上挥发物的来源。有关地球上挥发物起源的问题引起了科学界的广泛兴趣。这项研究的结果将深入了解地幔挥发物与地球大气成分之间的关系，这对理解地球宜居性的驱动因素和随后的生命进化具有直接意义。研究结果将通过同行评审的出版物传达给科学界，并通过多方面的外展方法传达给公众，包括通讯出版物和实地讲座，这些讲座将与YNP管理员协调，同时作为Facebook Live Event进行直播。此外，pi将与YNP展览专家合作，将本次研究和其他研究的地球化学发现纳入公园内的永久性“路边展览”。如果可能的话，YNP欢迎包中还将包括简短的地球化学简介（分发给每年400万游客）。此外，还将建立一个展示“黄石地球化学步道图”的互动网站，并与上述路边展览和参赛手册相链接。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The Earth’s surface is rich in volatile elements (e.g., H, C, N), providing the unique conditions that sustain life on our planet. However, the origin of terrestrial volatiles remains enigmatic, with considerable debate and uncertainty surrounding regarding volatile source(s) and the overall timing of planetary accretion. Analyzing the composition of primordial gases emanating from Earth's mantle represents one of the best avenues to determine the origin of terrestrial volatiles. The Yellowstone–Columbia River volcanic mega-province is one of the few volcanic localities on Earth where pristine, plume-derived magmatic gas reaches the surface and can be easily collected for analysis. Geochemical data from previous studies in Yellowstone suggest that gas vents are sourced from a deep-seated mantle plume, that is dominantly chondritic in origin. In this project, a comprehensive study of gas emissions from Yellowstone National Park (YNP) will be conducted. The aims are to: (i) investigate the nature and extent of the Yellowstone plume's interaction with the Archean-aged crustal basement, which will provide further insight into (ii) the source of the YNP plume, and the (iii) processes acting to obfuscate mantle source signals. Specifically, the proposed research will constrain the composition of YNP magmatic gases and their parental plume mantle source with unprecedented spatial and analytical resolution. The PIs will employ static noble gas mass spectrometry techniques, clumped N isotope measurements and the first ultra-high-precision (sub per mil (‰) precision) dynamic mass spectrometry measurements of magmatic gas to deconvolve mantle, crustal and atmospheric endmembers and to place firmer constraints on the origin of volatiles in the Yellowstone plume, which will help pinpoint the origin of volatiles on Earth. Questions pertaining to the origin of volatiles on Earth are of broad interest to the scientific community. Results from this study will provide insight into the relationship between mantle volatiles and Earth’s atmospheric composition, which is of direct relevance to understanding the drivers of Earth’s habitability and the subsequent evolution of life. Findings will be communicated to the scientific community through peer-reviewed publications and to the public through a multi-faceted outreach approach, including newsletter publications and field-based lectures that will be simulcast as a Facebook Live Event in coordination with YNP rangers. Further, the PIs will work with the YNP Exhibits Specialist to incorporate geochemical findings from this and other studies into a permanent “wayside exhibit” within the park. If possible, a short geochemical synopsis will also be included in the YNP welcome packet (distributed to the 4 million annual visitors). Additionally, an interactive website presenting a “Yellowstone Geochemical Trail Map.” will also be constructed and linked to the aforementioned wayside exhibit and entry brochure.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.