Carbon and Hydrogen Isotopes as Tracers of Methane Dynamic in Wetlands

Abstract

This work presents a review of the main processes leading to the production and sinking of methane in wetlands and how they affect the stable isotope composition of carbon and hydrogen. Isotope fractionation factors associated to diffusion, ebullition, bacterial oxidation, etc., have been gathered from relevant literature in an intent of providing researchers in this thematic with practical procedures and tools for the interpretation of experimental data. Also it is presented guidelines of the most reliable field and laboratory methods used at present for the correct sampling and analyzing methane in different stages of occurrence, as well the most common tools used in their interpretation. Each statement is fully referenced to a long updated list of publications.