ABSTRACT Methane contributes substantially to global warming as the second most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas. Radiocarbon ( 14 C) measurements of atmospheric methane can be used as a source apportionment tool, as they allow distinction between thermogenic and biogenic methane sources. However, these measurements remain scarce due to labor-intensive methods required. A new setup for the preparation of atmospheric methane samples for radiocarbon analysis is presented. The system combines a methane preconcentration line with a preparative gas chromatography technique to isolate pure methane samples for a compound-specific radiocarbon analysis. In order to minimize sample preparation time, we designed a simplified preconcentration line for the extraction of methane from 50 L atmospheric air, which corresponds to 50 µg C as required for a reliable 14 C analysis of methane-derived CO 2 gas measurement with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). The system guarantees a quantitative extraction of methane from atmospheric air samples for 14 C analysis, with a good repeatability and a low processing blank. The setup was originally designed for the measurement of samples with low methane concentrations, but it can also be adapted to apportion sources from environmental compartments with high methane levels such as freshwaters or wetlands.

C Espic

M Liechti

M Battaglia

D Paul

T Röckmann

S Szidat

Radiocarbon

RADIOCARBON 的目的是发表关于 14C 和其他宇宙成因同位素的所有方面的技术和解释性文章。此外，我们还提供已发布和未发布日期的区域汇编以及解释性文本。除了三年一次的国际放射性碳会议论文集外，我们还偶尔出版关注特定主题的特刊。

The journal Radiocarbon aims to publish technical and interpretive articles on all aspects of 14C and other cosmogenic isotopes. Additionally, we provide regional compilations and interpretive texts, both published and unpublished. Besides the proceedings of the International Radiocarbon Conference, which occurs every three years, we occasionally publish special issues focused on specific topics.

《Radiocarbon》期刊旨在发表关于14C及其他宇宙成因同位素的技术性和解释性文章。此外，我们还提供已发布和未发布的区域汇编及解释性文本。除了每三年一次的国际放射性碳会议论文集外，我们还偶尔出版关注特定主题的特刊。

Category	Quartile
地球科学	3
地球科学, 地球化学与地球物理	3

Compound-Specific Radiocarbon Analysis of Atmospheric Methane: A New Preconcentration and Purification Setup

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
GEOCHEMISTRY & GEOPHYSICS	2