Fractionation of Methane Isotopologues during Preparation for Analysis from Ambient Air

Preconcentration of methane (CH4) from air is a critical sampling step in the measurement of singly and doubly substituted isotopologue ratios. We demonstrate the potential for isotope fractionation during preconcentration onto and elution from the common trapping material HayeSep-D and investigate its significance in laser spectroscopy measurements. By altering the trapping temperature for adsorption, the flow direction of CH4 through the trap and the time at which CH4 is eluted during a desorption temperature ramp, we explain the mechanisms behind fractionation affecting δ13C(CH4) and δ2H(CH4). The results highlight that carbon isotope fractionation is driven by advection and diffusion, while hydrogen isotope fractionation is driven by the interaction of CH4 with the adsorbing material (tending to smaller isotopic effects at higher temperatures). We have compared the difference between the measured isotope ratio of sample gases (compressed whole air and a synthetic mixture of CH4 at ambient amount fraction in an N2 matrix) and their known isotopic composition. An open-system Rayleigh model is used to quantify the magnitude of isotopic fractionation affecting measured δ13C(CH4) and δ2H(CH4), which can be used to calculate the possible magnitude of isotopic fractionation given the recovery percentage. These results provide a quantitative understanding of isotopic fractionation during the sample preparation of CH4 from ambient air. The results also provide valuable insights applicable to other cryogenic preconcentration systems, such as those for measurements that probe the distribution of rarer isotopologues.

δ(13)C-CH4 reveals CH4 variations over oceans from mid-latitudes to the Arctic

The biogeochemical cycles of CH4 over oceans are poorly understood, especially over the Arctic Ocean. Here we report atmospheric CH4 levels together with δ(13)C-CH4 from offshore China (31°N) to the central Arctic Ocean (up to 87°N) from July to September 2012. CH4 concentrations and δ(13)C-CH4 displayed temporal and spatial variation ranging from 1.65 to 2.63 ppm, and from -50.34% to -44.94% (mean value: -48.55 ± 0.84%), respectively. Changes in CH4 with latitude were linked to the decreasing input of enriched δ(13)C and chemical oxidation by both OH and Cl radicals as indicated by variation of δ(13)C. There were complex mixing sources outside and inside the Arctic Ocean. A keeling plot showed the dominant influence by hydrate gas in the Nordic Sea region, while the long range transport of wetland emissions were one of potentially important sources in the central Arctic Ocean. Experiments comparing sunlight and darkness indicate that microbes may also play an important role in regional variations.

High-precision, automated stable isotope analysis of atmospheric methane and carbon dioxide using continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry

Small-scale developments have been made to an off-the-shelf continuous-flow gas chromatography/isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (CF-GC/IRMS) system to allow high-precision isotopic analysis of methane (CH(4)) and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) at ambient concentrations. The repeatability (1sigma) obtainable with this system is 0.05 per thousand for delta(13)C of CH(4), 0.03 per thousand for delta(13)C of CO(2), and 0.05 per thousand for delta(18)O of CO(2) for ten consecutive analyses of a standard tank. An automated inlet system, which allows diurnal studies of CO(2) and CH(4) isotopes, is also described. The improved precision for CH(4) analysis was achieved with the use of a palladium powder on quartz wool catalyst in the combustion furnace, which increased the efficiency of oxidation of CH(4) to CO(2). The automated inlet further improved the precision for both CH(4) and CO(2) analysis by keeping the routine constant. The method described provides a fast turn-around in samples, with accurate, reproducible results, and would allow a long-term continuous record of CH(4) or CO(2) isotopes at a site to be made, providing information about changing sources of the gases both seasonally and interannually.

High-precision continuous-flow measurement of delta13C and deltaD of atmospheric CH4

We describe our development of a CH4 preconcentration system for use with continuous-flow gas chromatograph combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS). Precision of measurement of delta13C-CH4 is 0.05/1000 (1sigma) on multiple 60-mL aliquots of the same ambient air sample. The same front-end on-line CH4 preconcentration system allows us to measure deltaD of CH4 by gas chromatography IRMS when the combustion furnace is replaced with a pyrolysis oven (GC/P/IRMS). Precision of measurement for deltaD-CH4 is 1.5/1000 (1sigma) using 120 mL of ambient air based on multiple aliquots of the same air sample. These are the first reported measurements of atmospheric CH4 using GC/P/IRMS methodology. Each isotope analysis can be made much more rapidly (30-40 min) than they could using off-line combustion of an air sample (1-6 h) followed by conventional dual-inlet IRMS measurements (12-20 min), while requiring much less total volume and retaining a comparable level of precision and accuracy. To illustrate the capabilities of our preconcentration GC/C/IRMS system, we compare the results of measurement of 24 background air samples made using both GC/C/IRMS and conventional vacuum line/dual-inlet IRMS methodology. The air samples were collected on a shipboard air sampling transect made across the Pacific Ocean in July 2000 and are part of an ongoing atmospheric CH4 research program. The average difference between the two methods of IRMS analyses on these 24 samples is 0.01 +/- 0.03/1000 (95% confidence interval) for delta3C-CH4. These are the first measurements to be reported of air samples directly intercompared for delta13C-CH4 using both GC/C/IRMS and dual-inlet IRMS measurement methodology. Measurement of deltaD-CH4 of these air samples is also presented as an illustration of the ability of this system to resolve small isotopic differences in remote air. High-precision measurement of delta13C and deltaD of atmospheric CH4 made using our coupled preconcentration GC/IRMS system will greatly improve our ability to utilize isotopic data in understanding spatial and temporal changes in atmospheric CH4 and the biogeochemistry of its sources and sinks.

The global methane cycle: isotopes and mixing ratios, sources and sinks

A review of the global cycle of methane is presented with emphasis on its isotopic composition. The history of methane mixing ratios, reconstructed from measurements of air trapped in ice-cores is described. The methane record now extends back to 420 kyr ago in the case of the Vostok ice cores from Antarctica. The trends in mixing ratios and in delta13C values are reported for the two Hemispheres. The increase of the atmospheric methane concentration over the past 200 years, and by 1% per year since 1978, reaching 1.7 ppmv in 1990 is underlined. The various methane sources are presented. Indeed the authors describe the methane emissions by bacterial activity under anaerobic conditions in wet environments (wetlands, bogs, tundra, rice paddies), in ruminant stomachs and termite guts, and that originating from fossil carbon sources, such as biomass burning, coal mining, industrial losses, automobile exhaust, sea floor vent, and volcanic emissions. Furthermore, the main sinks of methane in the troposphere, soils or waters via oxidation are also reported, and the corresponding kinetic isotope effects.