Direct radiocarbon ( 14 C) analysis of methane using positive ion mass spectrometry
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8130582 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Cameron P McIntyre (0000-0001-8517-9836, University of Glasgow, corresponding author), Richard P Shanks (University of Glasgow), Richard Shanks (0000-0002-9677-8655, University of Glasgow), Pauline Gulliver (0000-0003-1180-1578, University of Glasgow), Stewart P H T Freeman (0000-0001-6148-3171, University of Glasgow), P H T Freeman |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 68 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 1-8 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-19 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Radiocarbon (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0033-8222 • E-ISSN: 1945-5755 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/rdc.2025.10182 |
| OpenAlex | W7130521405 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 17 |
The reduction of anthropogenic methane emissions is a priority due to its potent global warming potential. Radiocarbon ( 14 C) can distinguish between methane from natural biogenic and fossil fuel sources, however, the analysis of methane 14 C by conventional accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) techniques is demanding. At SUERC, a prototype positive ion mass spectrometer (PIMS) is set up to directly analyze 14 C in methane with minimal sample preparation. Methane gas was mixed with a stoichiometric amount of oxygen in an open split and admitted directly into the source. A series of modern, blank and unknown methane samples were clearly distinguishable by their 14 C/ 13 C raw ratios. The collision cell gas flowrate was then increased to lower the limit of detection. We obtained a corrected 14 C/ 13 C raw ratio of less than 2 × 10 –13 for blank fossil methane which corresponds to a radiocarbon age greater than 50 kyr. Modern biogenic methane had a measured 14 C/ 13 C raw ratio approaching 1 × 10 –10 which is consistent with the nominal value of contemporary atmospheric methane. These first results indicate that PIMS has the potential to be a valuable new analytical technique for screening the 14 C content of biogas and in climate research studies
Analytical Chemistry (journal · Atmospheric methane · Blank · Carbon fibers · Mass spectrometry · Methane · Radiocarbon dating · Raw material · Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics · Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis · Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
The Global Methane Budget 2000–2017
The growing role of methane in anthropogenic climate change
Preparation and Handling of Methane for Radiocarbon Analysis at Cologneams
C Measurement of Samples for Environmental Science Applications at the National Environmental Isotope Facility (Neif) Radiocarbon Laboratory, Suerc, Uk
Compound-Specific Radiocarbon Analysis of Atmospheric Methane
Radiocarbon Analysis of Methane at the Nerc Radiocarbon Facility (East Kilbride)
| Highly cited | No |
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