We have determined the concentrations and isotopic composition of noble gases in old oceanic crust and oceanic sediments and the isotopic composition of noble gases in emanations from subduction volcanoes. Comparison with the noble gas signature of the upper mantle and a simple model allow us to conclude that at least 98% of the noble gases and water in the subducted slab returns back into the atmosphere through subduction volcanism before they can be admixed into the earth's mantle. It seems that the upper mantle is inaccessible to atmospheric noble gases due to an efficient subduction barrier for volatiles.

Supplement to: Staudacher, Thomas; Allègre, Claude J (1988): Recycling of oceanic crust and sediments: the noble gas subduction barrier. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 89(2), 173-183