The sup 13 C/ sup 12 C kinetic isotope effect for soil oxidation of methane at ambient atmospheric concentrations

Journal Article · Wed Dec 20 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JD094iD15p18273· OSTI ID:6984894

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

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1. University of Washington, Seattle (US)

During a survey of the Alaskan North Slope to estimate the isotopic composition and fluxes of methane (CH{sub 4}) from the tundra, two sites were encountered that showed net methane consumption within flux chambers. Methane concentrations decreased from ambient (1.78 ppmv) by up to 50% and the {delta}{sup 13}C increased by up to 10% in the two chamber deployments showing CH{sub 4} consumption. CH{sub 4} consumption rates were measured to be 1.2 and 0.6 mg CH{sub 4} m{sup {minus}2} d{sup {minus}1}; the corresponding carbon kinetic isotope effects ({ital k}{sub 13}/{ital k}{sub 12}) were 0.974 and 0.984, respectively. For comparison, the carbon kinetic isotope effect for CH{sub 4} oxidation by hydroxyl radical has been recently measured to be 0.990 (Davidson {ital et} {ital al}., 1987). These data are briefly discussed with reference to the potential effect of soil oxidation on the stable carbon isotope budget of atmospheric methane. {copyright} American Geophysical Union 1989

• OSTI ID: 6984894
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA) Vol. 94:D15; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ALKANES
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
CARBON 12
CARBON 13
CARBON ISOTOPES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
HYDROCARBONS
ISOTOPE EFFECTS
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
METHANE
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
SOIL CHEMISTRY
STABLE ISOTOPES