Radiocarbon Dating and Stable Isotopic Measurements of Methane
Radiogenic (14C) and stable isotopic (δ13C) measurements of methane (CH4) carbon atoms provide means by which to investigate methane sources, fate, and cycling in a variety of ecosystems.
Isotopic investigations of CH4 add insight into:
The isotopic values on this graph are representative from the scientific literature, may vary based on geographical location, and may change as new scientific studies and data are published.
General Methanogenesis (abiotic vs microbial)
Geologic Formations (coal beds, trap gas, etc)
Glacial Methane Gas (clathrate)
Open vs Closed carbon methanogenic systems (mixing)
Methane Source Tracking (landfill vs wetland vs pipeline)
Methane is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas that is produced by complicated biogeochemical reactions that take place in various environments. Stable and radiogenic isotopic testing of methane and associated gases provides means by which to investigate methane in a variety of scenarios, as outlined above.
Beta Analytic’s Methane Radiocarbon Dating Service
Beta Analytic can currently perform radiogenic (14C) and stable isotopic (δ13C) measurements on pure methane as well as mixed gas samples with methane concentrations as low as 2 % (v/v), 0.6 L sample size. See the list below for the types of samples Beta can analyze.
Bulk Gas (Total Carbon)
C1 Gases Combined (CH4, CO2, and CO)
CH4 isolated
CO2 associated gas, isolated
CO isolated
Samples will be prescreened for gas composition using ASTM D7833 prior to isotopic analysis; the gas chromatography reports are available to the client upon request.
Ready to submit samples for testing?
Contact your Account Manager or info@betalabservices.com to receive a Methane Dating questionnaire. A questionnaire must be completed, submitted, and approved by our laboratory team prior to submitting your sample.
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MOYA/ZWAMPS Team, Nisbet, E. G., Allen, G., Fisher, R. E., France, J. L., Lee, J. D., … & E. Wilde, S. (2022). Isotopic signatures of methane emissions from tropical fires, agriculture and wetlands: the MOYA and ZWAMPS flights. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, 380(2215), 20210112
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