Measurements of stable isotope ratios ({sup 13}CH{sub 4}/{sup 12}CH{sub 4}; {sup 12}CH{sub 3}/{sup 12}CH{sub 3}) in landfill methane using a tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz (Germany)
- York Univ., North York, Ontario (Canada)
Experiments were conducted to measure variations in the isotopic composition of methane (CH{sub 4}) produced by a municipal solid waste landfill in Germany. A tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer was used to determine isotopic ratios of {sup 13}CH{sub 4}/{sup 12}CH{sub 4} and {sup 12}CH{sub 3}D/{sup 12}CH{sub 4} in biogas samples taken directly from various branches of the gas collection system. The {delta}{sup 13} values for CH{sub 4} showed very small variations; however, the {delta}{sup 13} values for carbon dioxide C0{sub 2} were substantially larger. The {delta}D values of CH{sub 4} exhibited variations corresponding to samples taken from sections filled at different time periods. Oxygen consumption was correlated with the {delta}{sup 13}C and {delta}D of CH{sub 4} and the {delta}{sup 13}C of CO{sub 2} consistent with partial bacterial oxidation of methane. A negative correlation between {delta}D and {delta}{sup 13}C(CH{sub 4}) and between {delta}{sup 13}C(CO{sub 2}) and {delta}{sup 13}C(CH{sub 4}) in samples showing no oxidation was attributed to slightly varying contributions of CO{sub 2} reduction and acetate fermentation. 22 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.
- OSTI ID:
- 244063
- Journal Information:
- Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Vol. 9, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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