Global d13C CH4 source signature inventory

A new version of this database is now available at https://doi.org/10.15138/g3201t

Global Inventory of Fossil and Non-fossil Methane δ¹³C Source Signature Measurements for Improved Atmospheric Modeling

Authors

• Sherwood, O.A., University of Colorado/INSTAAR
• Schwietzke, S., University of Colorado/CIRES, NOAA/ESRL/GMD
• Arling, V.A., University of Colorado/CIRES, NOAA/ESRL/GMD
• Etiope, G., Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia

Abstract

Studies of the global methane (CH₄) budget (including 3D inversion and box model studies) frequently include measurements of atmospheric δ¹³C-CH₄ as an additional constraint for better allocation of different natural and anthropogenic CH₄ sources, and this requires information about the δ¹³C isotopic signature (δ13CSource) of the different CH₄ sources. The δ13CSource measurement sample sizes used in published global CH₄ budgets are either small or unknown, uncertainties are rarely applied, and global representativeness is lacking. We have compiled the most comprehensive δ13CSource database to date including 8,128 original measurements from fossil fuels (FF; 7,482 conventional and 646 shale gas samples) and 2,068 original measurements from microbial and biomass burning sources, which can be used to define globally-weighted average δ13CSource with well defined uncertainties. This database shows that previously used global average δ13CSource are outdated, and particularly FF signatures are significantly lighter than canonical values.

Fair Use Statement

This database is made freely available to the scientific community and is intended to stimulate and support global methane cycle and other modeling studies. We rely on the ethics and integrity of the user to assure that the authors receive fair credit fo...

Required Citation

ATTENTION! When you download a data product, an automatic e-mail containing your contact information will be sent to contributing data providers.

Please DO NOT re-distribute this product. It is freely available to all users from this site.

Please complete the form below and press "Submit". You will receive an immediate, automated e-mail with access instructions.