Dataset of the CO2-rich gas emissions in the Eastern Carpathians, Romania

Abstract

This dataset provides a comprehensive geochemical characterization of gases emitted across the Romanian segment of the Eastern Carpathians, including both volcanic and non-volcanic areas. It comprises in situ measurements of CO2, CH4, and H2S at 143 degassing sites, including dry vents, bubbling pools, drillings, and mineral springs, supplemented by gas-chromatographic analyses of major components (CO2, CH4, N2) and isotopic measurements (3He/4He, δ¹³C (CO2)) at 50 selected sites. The sampling strategy spans a N–S transect of the region, capturing both CO2- and CH4-rich emissions, and providing detailed coverage of dormant volcanic and non-volcanic geological settings. Field measurements employed a portable Multi-GAS instrument with calibrated IR (for CO2 and CH4) and electrochemical (for H2S) sensors, ensuring high-quality in situ data. Laboratory analyses were conducted at Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) Sezione Palermo, Italy and at HUN-REN Debrecen, Hungary, enabling robust characterization of gas compositions and isotopic ratios. This dataset represents a high-resolution geochemical resource for the Romanian segment of the Eastern Carpathians, offering extensive information on gas compositions, noble gas signatures, and carbon isotopes. It can be reused by researchers to investigate degassing processes, gas origins, fluid migration, and tectonic controls in dormant volcanic and non-volcanic regions. Furthermore, it provides a reference for comparative studies with other global degassing systems and supports modelling of deep carbon fluxes from dormant volcanic and non-volcanic environments.