Isotopic composition of methane released from wetlands: Implications for the increase in atmospheric methane

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GB002i004p00385· OSTI ID:6943466

Quay, P D; King, S L; Lansdown, J M; Wilbur, D O ^[1]

---

1. Washington Univ., Seattle (USA)

Measurements of the delta-C{sup 13} of methane released from tropical, temperate, and arctic wetland sites are reported. The mean delta C{sup 13} values (relative to PDB carbonate standard) for peat bogs and Alaskan tundra are {minus}53 + or{minus}8, {minus}66 + or{minus}5 and {minus}64 + or{minus}5{per thousand}, respectively. These measurements combined with methane flux estimates yield a flux-weighted global average delta-C{sup 13} value of {minus}59 + or{minus}6{per thousand} for methane released from wetlands, a major natural methane source. The agreement between the measured delta-C{sup 13} for methane emitted from wetlands and the calculated steady state value of approximately {minus}6{per thousand} for the delta-C{sup 13} of preindustrial methane sources suggests that methane was predominantly produced biogenically in the preindustrial era. The industrial era time rate of change of the delta-C{sup 13} of the global methane flux is calculated from estimates of the growth rate of the major anthropogenically derived methane sources and the C{sup 13} composition of these sources, and compared to the measured change in the delta-C{sup 13} of methane during the last 300 years. Based on these results, it is estimated that 13 + or{minus}8% of the current global methane flux is derived abiogenically from natural gas and biomass burning, whereas the remainder is derived biogenically primarily from wetlands, rice paddies, and livestock. 40 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6943466
• Journal Information: Global Biogeochemical Cycles; (USA), Journal Name: Global Biogeochemical Cycles; (USA) Vol. 2:4; ISSN GBCYE; ISSN 0886-6236
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
ALKANES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CARBON 13
CARBON ISOTOPES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GLOBAL ASPECTS
HYDROCARBONS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MASS TRANSFER
METHANE
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
STABLE ISOTOPES
WETLANDS