The Carbon Isotope Biogeochemistry of Methane Production in Anoxic Sediments: 1. Field Observations

The natural abundance 13C/12C ratio of methane from anoxic marine and freshwater sediments in temperate climates varies seasonally. Carbon isotopic measurements of the methanogenic precursors, acetate, and dissolved inorganic carbon from the marine sediments of Cape Lookout Bight, North Carolina have been used to determine the sources of the seasonal variations at that site. Movement of the methanogenic zone over an isotopic gradient within the dissolved CO2 pool appears to be the dominant control of the methane 13C/12C ratio from February to June. The onset of acetoclastic methane production is a second important controlling process during mid-summer. An apparent temperature dependence on the fractionation factor for CO2 reduction may have a significant influence on the isotopic composition of methane throughout the year.