An Objective of this project was to collect samples of anthropogenically produced methane for isotopic composition of methane sources terms. The stable isotopic determinations to constrain methane source terms. The stable isotopic composition of methane sources is extremely useful for constraining budgets for atmospheric methane. Our group, along with others, have been involved for a number of years in the quantification of the stable isotopic composition methane and biogenic gasses from wetland and other natural sources. It came as a revelation that while the isotopic composition of methane derived from natural sources was well determined, the global atmospheric models rely upon very scant information from anthropogenic sources.
Our research addresses anthropogenically caused changes in atmospheric composition and attempts to identify the causes of these alterations to direct mitigation efforts. The work responds to the needs of models which enable prediction and integrated assessment of whole systems. Mitigation efforts directed towards methane emission will be most effective in the short term in reducing the greenhouse warming potential of the atmosphere.