| Abstract: | By combining data from a diverse suite of crustal fluid samples representing a broad geographical distribution, we have identified a well-defined nucleogenic (crustal) neon component. The neon is produced from (α, n) and (n, α) nuclear interactions involving nuclei of O, Mg, and F 1]. In the limiting case of 20Ne/22Ne = 0, the composition is: 21Ne/22Ne = 0.47 ± 0.01 and 21Ne/4He = (0.46 ± 0.08) × 10−7. A crustal O/F ratio of 110 (atomic) calculated from the 21Ne/22Ne ratio is 4–10 times less than the average crustal O/F ratio. The discrepancy can be accounted for by an enhanced O/F ratio within the 10–40 μm range of the U-Th-generated α-particles. |
