Establishing Accuracy of Position-Specific Carbon Isotope Analysis of
Propane by GC-Pyrolysis-GC-IRMS
Abstract
Rationale: Position-Specific (PS) δ13C values of propane has proven its
ability to provide valuable information on evolution history of natural
gases. Two major approaches to measure PS δ13C values of propane are
quantitative NMR (qNMR) and GC-Py(rolysis)-GC-IRMS. The qNMR has
verified measurement accuracy, however, required large sample size and
long experimental time limit its applications. The GC-Py-GC-IRMS is more
versatile method with small sample size, but its accuracy has not been
demonstrated. Methods: We measured PS δ13C values of propane from nine
natural gases, using the both methods and evaluated the accuracy of
GC-Py-GC-IRMS method. Results: The results show that large carbon
isotope fractionations occurred for the both terminal and central
carbons within propane during pyrolysis. The isotope fractionations
during the pyrolysis are reproducible at optimum conditions, but vary
between the two GC-Py-GC-IRMS systems tested, affected by experimental
conditions (e.g., pyrolysis temperature, flow rate, and reactor
conditions). Conclusions: Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate and
calibrate each GC-Py-GC-IRMS system using propane gases whose PS δ13C
values are accurately determined. This study also highlights a need of
PS isotope standards for propane and other molecules.