| Abstract Title: | Identification and validation of methane sources using carbon-13 measurements |
| Abstract Type: | Oral |
| Session Choice: | Current state of knowledge of anthropogenic methane emission sources |
| Presenter Name: | Dr Rebecca Fisher |
| Co-authors: | Dr David Lowry Dr Giulia Zazzeri Ms Aalia al-Shalaan Dr James France Ms Rebecca Brownlow |
| Company/Organisation: | Royal Holloway, University of London |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
Abstract Information :
Carbon 13/12 ratios of methane are controlled by the processes and temperature of
formation of methane, such that methane produced by cool biogenic processes contains less
13C than methane produced by higher temperature thermogenic (fossil fuels) and pyrogenic
(combustion sources). This ratio can be used to characterise individual source categories,
such as those designated within emission inventories (such as NAEI in the UK, or EDGAR
globally) like landfill or natural gas distribution, but at a finer scale can distinguish individual
production pathways as in sewage treatment plants.
Individual processes can change the isotopic ratios at very small scales, particularly where
biological pathways are involved, so that very small-scale ground based surveys, such as with
chambers, can give large isotopic heterogeneities across a single source site. The ability of
mass spectrometers and now laser-spectrometers to measure the isotopic signatures of
methane in air at ambient background concentrations (<2ppm) means that emission plumes
from whole installations and ground sites can be integrated and isotopically characterised.
Some of these sources have consistent isotopic ratios over national to global areas (landfill
sites give the same signature in many countries), whereas others can be characterised at a
regional scale. This is particularly true for natural gas emissions, such that West Siberian
production and distribution is different from the southern North Sea, which is different from
the northern North Sea. Signatures of emissions from coal are primarily related to coal rank
and temperature of formation (e.g. Zazzeri et al., 2016).
Since 2013 we have used laser spectroscopy (CRDS) to identify methane plumes for collection
of samples for isotopic analysis (Zazzeri et al., 2015). Multi-repeat regional surveys allow
seasonal isotopic differences to be identified (different practices, or proportions of fossil to
biogenic methane use and emission) and the mapping of ephemeral sources such as gas leaks.
Background isotopic surveys in regions of potential fracking increase the likelihood of
identification of future production leaks.
Detailed source characterisation coupled with wind field analysis is now allowing
interpretation of the causes of isotopic shifts and anomalies in global background records
over decadal time-scales (e.g. Nisbet et al., 2016).
