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Detection of multiply deuterated methane in the atmosphere
Author(s) -
Mroz Eugene J.,
Alei Mohammed,
Cappis John H.,
Guthals Paul R.,
Mason Allen S.,
Rokop Donald J.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl016i007p00677
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , methane , deuterium , atmospheric sciences , environmental chemistry , environmental science , atmospheric methane , chemistry , geology , physics , meteorology , nuclear physics , organic chemistry
Measurements of the isotopic composition of methane in the Antarctic atmosphere have indicated the presence of either 12 CD 4 or 13 CHD 3 . The concentration is about 1.3 × 10 −16 (v/v). This concentration is at least 500 times higher than expected from the statistical combination of the natural isotopic abundances of H, D, 12 C and 13 C. There are no known sources of these species large enough to explain these concentrations. It is possible that these species have accumulated in the atmosphere by virtue of having atmospheric residence times that are substantially longer than the residence time of CH 4 .