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CARBON ISOTOPE FORENSICS FOR METHANE SOURCE IDENTIFICATION.

Remediation
Coffin, R., Mueller, J.

Methane (CH4) in ecosystems originates from ancient petroleum formed deep within the earth and/or via microbial fermentation of organic carbon and subsequent reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2). Given the complexity of different ecosystems, origins of CH4 present can be difficult to determine. This issue was realized in a situation where an antimethanogenic in situ chemical reduction (ISCR) remedial amendment containing organic carbon plus zero‐valent iron was applied to treat chlorinated solvents in groundwater at a former dry cleaner facility. Radiocarbon isotope analysis was used to confirm that high methane concentrations were form a local leaking sewage line and not the remediation treatment.

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