Source evaluation of atmospheric methane over western Siberia using double stable isotopic signatures

Abstract We measured the stable carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios of atmospheric methane (CH 4 ) from western Siberia to obtain information about local CH 4 sources. Isotopic mass balance calculations yielded stable hydrogen and carbon isotope values for CH 4 released in the Surgut region, ranging from −50‰ to −33‰ and −484‰ to −420‰, respectively. These isotopic source signatures could not be understood in terms of mixing of CH 4 from major sources in this region, which include natural wetlands and oil/gas fields. Based on this observation, we suggest the necessity for further investigation of the distribution and isotopic values of CH 4 sources in this region.

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