Measurements and interpretation of delta C sup 13 of methane from termites, rice paddies, and wetlands in Kenya

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Global Biogeochemical Cycles; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GB002i004p00341· OSTI ID:6705025

Tyler, S C; Zimmerman, P R; Cumberbatch, C; Greenberg, J P; Westberg, C ^[1]

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1. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (USA)

Ratios of C{sup 13}/C{sup 12} have been measured in methane from a variety of sources in tropical Kenya. Ranges of delta-C{sup 13} in CH{sub 4} for termites (most values range from {minus}56 to {minus}64{per thousand}, one is at {minus}44{per thousand}), one is at approximately {minus}73{per thousand}, rice paddies (range {minus}57 to {minus}63{per thousand}), and wetlands (range-45 to {minus}50{per thousand} for Lake Baringo, approximately {minus}55{per thousand} in the Moloi River, approximately {minus}62{per thousand} and approximately {minus}31{per thousand} in two swamp areas) are presented. The data are interpreted with the help of additional measurements of delta-C{sup 13} of CO{sub 2} gas, and organic carbon in plant material, termite bodies, and termite fungus combs. The implications of these findings are related to the problem of studying the atmospheric methane budget. 40 refs., 2 figs. 5 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6705025
• Journal Information: Global Biogeochemical Cycles; (USA), Journal Name: Global Biogeochemical Cycles; (USA) Vol. 2:4; ISSN 0886-6236; ISSN GBCYE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AFRICA
AIR POLLUTION
ALKANES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ARTHROPODS
CARBON 12
CARBON 13
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON ISOTOPES
CARBON OXIDES
CEREALS
CHALCOGENIDES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECOSYSTEMS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GRASS
HYDROCARBONS
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
KENYA
LIGHT NUCLEI
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
METABOLISM
METHANE
MONITORING
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
RICE
STABLE ISOTOPES
WETLANDS