Isotopic signatures of anthropogenic CH4 sources in Alberta, Canada

Lopez, Morgan; Sherwood, Owen A.; Dlugokencky, E. J.; Kessler, R.C.; Giroux, L.; Worthy, Doug

doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2017.06.021

Cited by 42 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The peak measured in 'replay mode' precisely corresponds to the stretched one measured in 'monitoring mode', because both peaks reproduce the same emission plume. This differs from the AirCore measurements performed by Lopez et al (2017) which show higher CH 4 values in replay than in 'monitoring mode'.…”

Section: Mobile Measurement Setupcontrasting

confidence: 95%

Characterisation of δ13CH4 source signatures from methane sources in Germany using mobile measurements

Hoheisel

Yeman

Dinger

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Abstract. The carbon isotopic signature (δ13CH4) of several methane sources in Germany (around Heidelberg and in North Rhine-Westphalia) were characterised. Therefore, mobile measurements of the plume of CH4 sources are carried out using a cavity ring-down spectrometer (CRDS). To achieve precise results a CRDS analyser, which measures methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and their 13C to 12C ratios, was characterised especially with regard to cross sensitivities of the gas matrix. The two most important gases which affect the measurements are water vapour (H2O) and ethane (C2H6). To avoid the cross sensitivity with H2O, the air is dried with a nafion dryer during mobile measurements. C2H6 is abundant in natural gas and thus in methane plumes or samples originating from natural gas. A C2H6 correction and calibration are essential to obtain accurate δ13CH4 results, which can deviate up to 3 ‰ depending on whether an ethane correction is applied. The isotopic signature is determined with the Miller-Tans approach and the York fitting method. During 21 field campaigns the mean δ13CH4 values of three dairy farms (−63.9 ± 0.9 ‰), a biogas plant (−62.4 ± 1.2 ‰), a landfill (−58.7 ± 3.3 ‰), a wastewater treatment plant (−52.5 ± 1.4 ‰), an active deep coal mine (−56.0 ± 2.3 ‰) and two natural gas storage and gas compressor stations (−46.1 ± 0.8 ‰) were recorded. In addition, between December 2016 and June 2018 gas samples from the Heidelberg natural gas distribution network were measured. Contrary to former measurements between 1991 and 1996 (Levin et al., 1999) no strong seasonal cycle is shown. The mean δ13CH4 value of this study is −43.1 ± 0.8 ‰ which is 2.8 ‰ more depleted than in former years.

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Section: Mobile Measurement Setupcontrasting

confidence: 95%

Characterisation of δ13CH4 source signatures from methane sources in Germany using mobile measurements

Hoheisel

Yeman

Dinger

et al. 2018

Preprint

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“…It is apparent that several Albertan developments depart strongly from this mean. A δ 13 C CH 4 depleted source component is common in several prolific Canadian petroleum reservoirs (Lopez et al, 2017).…”

Section: A) Emission Geochemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Methane emissions from contrasting production regions within Alberta, Canada: Implications under incoming federal methane regulations

O'Connell

Risk

Atherton

et al. 2019

Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene

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Aggressive reductions of oil and gas sector methane, a potent greenhouse gas, have been proposed in Canada. Few large-scale measurement studies have been conducted to confirm a baseline. This study used a vehicle-based gas monitoring system to measure fugitive and vented gas emissions across Lloydminster (heavy oil), Peace River (heavy oil/bitumen), and Medicine Hat (conventional gas) developments in Alberta, Canada. Four gases (CO2, CH4, H2S, C2H6), and isotopic δ13CCH4 were recorded in real-time at 1 Hz over a six-week field campaign. We sampled 1,299 well pads, containing 2,670 unique wells and facilities, in triplicate. Geochemical emission signatures of fossil fuel-sourced plumes were identified and attributed to nearby, upwind oil and gas well pads, and a point-source gaussian plume dispersion model was used to quantify emissions rates. Our analysis focused exclusively on well pads where emissions were detected >50% of the time when sampled downwind. Emission occurrences and rates were highest in Lloydminster, where 40.8% of sampled well pads were estimated to be emitting methane-rich gas above our minimum detection limits (m = 9.73 m3d–1). Of the well pads we found to be persistently emitting in Lloydminster, an estimated 40.2% (95% CI: 32.2%–49.4%) emitted above the venting threshold in which emissions mitigation under federal regulations would be required. As a result of measured emissions being larger than those reported in government inventories, this study suggests government estimates of infrastructure affected by incoming regulations may be conservative. Comparing emission intensities with available Canadian-based research suggests good general agreement between studies, regardless of the measurement methodology used for detection and quantification. This study also demonstrates the effectiveness in applying a gaussian dispersion model to continuous mobile-sourced emissions data as a first-order leak detection and repair screening methodology for meeting regulatory compliance.

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“…Lassey et al, 2011), allowing different source types to be distinguished : biogenic/microbial methane sources are strongly 13 C depleted (δ CH 4 = -70 to -50 permils, noted ‰) while pyrogenic CH 4 sources (from incomplete combustion) and thermogenic sources (oil and gas) are less depleted in 13 C (δ 13 CH 4 = -30 to -15 ‰ and -50 to -30 ‰, respectively) (e.g. Lopez et al, 2017 ;Zazzeri et al, 2015 ;Zazzeri et al, 2017). This information can be used in atmospheric modelling to independently evaluate and improve emissions estimates at the global and regional scales (e.g.…”

Section: -Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the uncertainties on the δ 13 CH 4 source signatures used as inputs in the global modeling framework are large, as each source type can vary substantially at the regional scale in function of several factors (methane geographical origine, formation process, season, secondary alteration -e.g. Whiticar, 1999 ;Fisher et al, 2011 ;Zazzeri et al, 2015 ;Lopez et al, 2017). Therefore, the determination of the specific δ 13 CH 4 signatures of regional sources is needed (and their time variation, ideally) for a source apportionment of methane emissions at the regional scale.…”

Section: -Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropogenic methane plume detection from point sources in the Paris megacity area and characterization of their δ13C signature

Xueref-Rémy

Zazzeri

Bréon

et al. 2020

Atmospheric Environment

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Mitigating anthropogenic methane emissions is one of the available tools for reaching the near term objectives of the Paris Agreement. Characterizing the isotopic signature of the methane plumes emitted by these sources is needed to improve the quantification of methane sources at the regional scale. Urbanized and industrialized regions such as the Paris megacity are key places to better characterize anthropogenic methane sources. In this study, we present the results of the first mobile surveys in the Paris region, assessing methane point sources from 10 landfills (which in the regional inventory are the main emission sector of methane in the region), 5 gas storage sites (supplying Paris) and 1 waste water treatment (WWT) facility (Europe's largest, second worldwide). Local atmospheric methane concentration (or mixing ratio) enhancements in the source plumes were quantified and their δ 13 C in CH 4 (further noted δ 13 CH 4) signature characterized. Among the 10 landfills sampled, at 6 of them we detected atmospheric methane local enhancements ranging from 0.8 to 8.5 parts per million (ppm) with δ 13 CH 4 signatures between-63.7 ± 0.3 permils (‰) to-58.2 ± 0.3 ‰. Among the 5 gas storage sites surveyed, we could observe that 3 of them were leaking methane with local methane concentration enhancements ranging from 0.8 to 8.1 ppm and δ 13 CH 4 signatures spanning from-43.4 ± 0.5 ‰ to-33.8 ± 0.4 ‰. Dutch gas with a δ 13 CH 4 signature of-33.8 ± 0.4 ‰ (typical of thermogenic gas) was also likely identified. The WWT site emitted local methane enhancements up to 4.0 ppm. For this site, two δ 13 CH 4 signatures were determined as-51.9 ± 0.2 ‰ and-55.3 ± 0.1 ‰, typical of a biogenic origin. About forty methane plumes were also detected in the Paris city, leading to local concentration enhancements whose origin was in two cases interpreted as natural gas leaks thanks to their isotopic composition. However, such enhancements were much less common than in cities of North America. More isotopic surveys are needed to discriminate whether such urban methane enhancements are outcoming from gas line leaks and sewer network emanations. Furthermore, our results lead us to the conclusion that the regional

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Isotopic signatures of anthropogenic CH4 sources in Alberta, Canada

Cited by 42 publications

References 40 publications

Characterisation of δ<sup>13</sup>CH<sub>4</sub> source signatures from methane sources in Germany using mobile measurements

Characterisation of δ<sup>13</sup>CH<sub>4</sub> source signatures from methane sources in Germany using mobile measurements

Methane emissions from contrasting production regions within Alberta, Canada: Implications under incoming federal methane regulations

Anthropogenic methane plume detection from point sources in the Paris megacity area and characterization of their δ13C signature

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Isotopic signatures of anthropogenic CH4 sources in Alberta, Canada

Cited by 42 publications

References 40 publications

Characterisation of δ&lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; source signatures from methane sources in Germany using mobile measurements

Characterisation of δ&lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; source signatures from methane sources in Germany using mobile measurements

Methane emissions from contrasting production regions within Alberta, Canada: Implications under incoming federal methane regulations

Anthropogenic methane plume detection from point sources in the Paris megacity area and characterization of their δ13C signature

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Product

Resources

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Characterisation of δ<sup>13</sup>CH<sub>4</sub> source signatures from methane sources in Germany using mobile measurements

Characterisation of δ<sup>13</sup>CH<sub>4</sub> source signatures from methane sources in Germany using mobile measurements