Methane is from a Deeper Thermogenic Source . . . Or, is it?

The carbon isotope signature of methane is often presented as the ‘silver bullet’ capable of identifying whether soil gas is from a deeper thermogenic source or produced by microbial processes. The stakes are high because failing to identify a gas migration (GM) issue can have serious environmental consequences…

Why ethane is a key indicator to identify gas migration

Ethane is a reliable geochemical tracer that can be used as a single line of evidence to identify a potential gas migration issue. Ethane and longer chain hydrocarbons are produced during the thermal degradation of organic matter (kerogen) over geological timescales. Microbial …

What the Frack?

It is just too easy… As I prepare for my talk tomorrow on fracking and groundwater (a talk I have given two times already), I figured what better topic to start my new webpage blog on? Seminar Details: Fracking operation Alberta CanadaFracking, the colloquial term for hydraulic fracturing, is in…

Stinky Sulphur Compounds Do Not Last Long

I was recently working on a project examining odours and had to plan out the difficult logistics of having samples shipped out same day to the laboratory for analysis because of literature documented instability. As I work around these logistics, I can see why many people choose to ignore the…