Carbon isotope forensics for methane source identification

Abstract

Methane (CH4) in ecosystems originates from ancient petroleum formed deep within the earth and/or via microbial fermentation of organic carbon and subsequent reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2). Given the complexity of different ecosystems, origins of CH4 present can be difficult to determine. This issue was realized in a situation where an antimethanogenic in situ chemical reduction (ISCR) remedial amendment containing organic carbon plus zero‐valent iron was applied to treat chlorinated solvents in groundwater at a former dry cleaner facility. The technology rapidly and effectively reduced the concentration of tetrachloroethene in groundwater thus meeting project goals without the stoichiometric accumulation of catabolites such as trichloroethene (TCE), cis‐1,2‐dichloroethene, or vinyl chloride and without excessive methanogenesis (e.g., <2 mg/L) in the treated area. However, approximately 9 months after treatment, increased levels of CH4 (from 5 to 10 mg/L) were observed downgradient from the treated area. The applied remedial amendment contained approximately 60% (weight basis) fermentation organic carbon and was therefore a potential source of this CH4. However, there was <500 mg/L total organic carbon in groundwater emanating from the upgradient treatment area which was unlikely sufficient to produce that much CH4. Moreover, the soil gas also contained benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes and other gasoline constituents. These data suggested that the presence of three gasoline/diesel underground storage tanks that were previously closed in place with no active remediation performed could be the source of elevated CH4. Thirdly, there were sewer lines, utilities, multiple gasoline stations, and industrial activities in the immediate area. With an initial assumption that CH4 source(s) could include the ISCR amendment over stimulation of production, gasoline sourced CH4 from nearby leaking lines, or sewage from local fractured pipes, carbon isotope analyses—radiocarbon (Δ14C) and stable carbon (δ13C)—were coupled with CH4 and CO2 concentration data from groundwater samples to determine the origin of respired carbon. The δ13C range for carbon sources respired in the process would be approximately −26.5‰ to −33.0‰ for the ISCR amendment and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) residuals, respectively. Δ14C is approximately 0‰ and −999‰ for the ISCR amendment (young carbon) and TPH (old carbon), respectively. The isotopic signature of respired gasses confirmed that elevated CH4 downgradient of the treated area originated primarily from sewer gasses (or fermentation of liquids released from sewer lines). This study provides an overview of the capability to apply carbon isotope geochemistry to confirmation of remedial protocols and sources of anthropogenic carbon pools that conclusively identify the origin of CH4 in a complex ecosystem undergoing a remedial action.

Tidal control and mangrove dieback impact on methane emissions from a subtropical mangrove estuary

“…For each site, water samples were taken in 160‐mL serum glass bottles, immediately capped without headspace using airtight butyl rubber septa and crimp sealed and preserved in cool with the addition of 1 mL saturated CuSO 4 (Rose et al 2013; Coffin and Mueller 2020). For background CH 4 concentrations and calculation of sea–air CH 4 flux, ambient air samples were collected at approximately 1 m above the water surface using 30‐mL syringes and injected into serum vials by replacing the filled Milli‐Q water.…”

A Structured Approach for the Mitigation of Natural Methane Emissions—Lessons Learned from Anthropogenic Emissions

“…This research therefore also helps reduce the uncertainty of natural methane emissions, as they have (partly) been seen as the reason for the changing δ 13 C level of atmospheric methane [98,99]. Isotopic measurements can be also helpful to identify sources at the regional level [31,100].…”

“…Typical values range between −70% and −55% for materials of biogenic origin, −55% and −25% for thermogenic and −25% and −15% for pyrogenic origin [13]. Isotopic measurements provide the unique identification of source/sink characteristics [30][31][32], but a large overlap in isotopic signatures at process level hinders a precisely determination of methane sources and their changes [33].…”