Continuous methane isotopic measurements across European sites
Jacoline van Es
My project is part of the Paris-horizon project. This is a European project, focusing on several climate forcers. It performs various measurements and models to improve the inventories of greenhouse gases.
Methane (CH4) is becoming an increasingly interesting greenhouse gas. It is only 2 parts per million (ppm) in the air, but due to methane's strong global warming potential (GWP), it is the second most important greenhouse gas after CO2. This makes it relevant to achieving the goals set by the Paris Agreement and for the overall Paris project.
Methane is emitted by several sources, but after emission, it is just one molecule. However, the different sources emit methane with slightly different isotopic compositions. This allows for the separation of sources through methane isotopic analysis.
In my project, I deploy a system that measures the isotopes of methane at several sites across Europe. We conducted a 9-month measurement campaign in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and will likely continue measurements at other ICOS stations such as Monte Cimone (CMN) and Hegyhátsál (HUN).
Picture 1. The lab setup of the mobile system in Cluj-Napoca
Picture 2. Overview of installing parts on the IRMS in Hegyhátsál
