Abstract. Atmospheric ethane can be used as a tracer to distinguish
methane sources, both at the local and global scale. Currently, ethane can be
measured in the field using flasks or in situ analyzers. In our study, we
characterized the CRDS Picarro G2201-i instrument, originally designed to
measure isotopic CH4 and CO2, for measurements of ethane-to-methane ratio in mobile-measurement scenarios, near sources and under field
conditions. We evaluated the limitations and potential of using the CRDS
G2201-i to measure the ethane-to-methane ratio, thus extending the
instrument application to simultaneously measure two methane source proxies
in the field: carbon isotopic ratio and the ethane-to-methane ratio. First,
laboratory tests were run to characterize the instrument in stationary
conditions. Subsequently, the instrument performance was tested in field
conditions as part of a controlled release experiment. Finally, the
instrument was tested during mobile measurements focused on gas compressor
stations. The results from the field were afterwards compared with the
results obtained from instruments specifically designed for ethane
measurements. Our study shows the potential of using the CRDS G2201-i
instrument in a mobile configuration to determine the ethane-to-methane
ratio in methane plumes under measurement conditions with an ethane
uncertainty of 50 ppb. Assuming typical ethane-to-methane ratios ranging
between 0 and 0.1 ppb ppb−1, we conclude that the instrument can
accurately estimate the “true” ethane-to-methane ratio within 1σ
uncertainty when CH4 enhancements are at least 1 ppm, as can be found
in the vicinity of strongly emitting sites such as natural gas compressor
stations and roadside gas pipeline leaks.