Articles | Volume 19, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1763-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1763-2026
Research article
 | 
11 Mar 2026
Research article |  | 11 Mar 2026

Evaluation of calibration strategies for accurate δ13CH4 measurements in dry and humid air

Ji Li, Xuguang Chi, Aijun Ding, Weimin Ju, Yongguang Zhang, Jing M. Chen, and Huilin Chen

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Cited articles

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Short summary
Accurate measurement of methane's isotopic fingerprint is crucial for identifying its sources. However, water vapor interference and instrument drift can cause significant errors, especially in humid air. This study evaluated two calibration methods and found that calibrating for individual methane isotopes with a water vapor correction provided accurate and stable results for both dry and humid air. This highlights the need for robust calibration to ensure reliable methane source attribution.
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