Page 38 - Geochemical Remote Sensing of The Sub-Surface

Genesis, behaviour and detection of gases in the crust 15

This volume goes on to review research investigations and case history studies of every
gas that might act as an indicator or pathfinder and to elaborate the models developed to
explain the resulting observations. A pervasive source of ambiguity in the interpretation and
understanding of the data of gas geochemistry proves to be the magnitude and diversity of
background variations. Only where these are overcome effectively can the detection of trace
quantifies of gases derived from mineral deposits and petroleum accumulations at depth
provide a reliable means of geochemical remote sensing of the subsurface.