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Measurements and interpretation of δ 13 C of methane from termites, rice paddies, and wetlands in Kenya
Author(s) -
Tyler Stanley C.,
Zimmerman Patrick R.,
Cumberbatch Colin,
Greenberg James P.,
Westberg Curtis,
Darlington Johanna P. E. C.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
global biogeochemical cycles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.512
H-Index - 187
eISSN - 1944-9224
pISSN - 0886-6236
DOI - 10.1029/gb002i004p00341
Subject(s) - wetland , swamp , methane , paddy field , range (aeronautics) , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , carbon fibers , δ13c , ecology , environmental chemistry , atmospheric sciences , geology , chemistry , biology , physics , mathematics , materials science , geotechnical engineering , stable isotope ratio , algorithm , quantum mechanics , composite number , composite material
Ratios of 13 C/ 12 C have been measured in methane from a variety of sources in tropical Kenya. Ranges of δ 13 C in CH 4 for termites (most values range from −56 to −64‰, one is at −44‰ one is at ∼−73‰), rice paddies (range −57 to −63‰), and wetlands (range −45 to − 50‰ for Lake Baringo, ∼−55‰ in the Moloi River, ∼−62‰ and ∼−31‰ in two swamp areas) are presented. The data are interpreted with the help of additional measurements of δ 13 C of CO 2 gas, and organic carbon in plant material, termite bodies, and termite fungus combs. The implications of these findings are related to the problem of studying the atmospheric methane budget.