Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Mass Spectrum01:23

Mass Spectrum

5.3K
A mass spectrum is the graphical representation of the relative abundance of the charged fragments in an analyte plotted against their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The plot's x-axis represents the ratio of the mass of the charged fragment to the number of charges it carries. The y axis of the plot represents the relative abundance of each charged species. The relative abundance is calculated from the signal intensity of each charged species recorded at the detector. The most intense signal (the...
5.3K
Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry01:21

Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry

1.5K
The molecular ion peak of a molecule in the mass spectrum provides vital information for molecular identification. However, conventional electron impact ionization can lead to the rapid dissociation of some molecular ions before they reach the detector. A milder ionization method is required to increase the lifetime of such ionized analyte molecules. Chemical ionization (CI) is a gas-phase protonation reaction useful for mass-analyzing analyte molecules that are easily protonated to yield the...
1.5K
Mass Spectrometry: Long-Chain Alkane Fragmentation01:18

Mass Spectrometry: Long-Chain Alkane Fragmentation

2.5K
The molecular ions of linear alkanes prefer to fragment at the carbon-carbon bond away from the end of the chain since the cleavage of an inner bond creates a stable carbocation and a stable radical. Consequently, the mass signals of linear alkanes feature intense peaks in the middle of the mass-to-charge ratio plot with weaker peaks on either end. The fragmentation of each carbon-carbon bond with the release of a methyl group in each splitting leads to prominent peaks in the mass spectra...
2.5K
Mass Spectrometry: Branched Alkane Fragmentation01:29

Mass Spectrometry: Branched Alkane Fragmentation

1.7K
This lesson delves into the mass spectrometry of branched alkane fragmentation. Branched alkanes possess secondary or tertiary carbon atoms, which generate relatively stable carbocations if the cleavage occurs at the branching point. The high stability of carbocations drives the instant fragmentation of branched alkanes. Accordingly, the branched alkane's molecular ion peak is very weak or invisible in the mass spectra, especially in comparison to a linear alkane.
1.7K
Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-II01:19

Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-II

1.5K
In gas chromatography, different detectors are employed to meet specific analytical needs. These detectors are often categorized based on their detection mechanisms and the types of compounds they are best suited to analyze. Thermal Conductivity Detectors (TCD), Flame Ionization Detectors (FID), and Electron Capture Detectors (ECD) represent common categories, each with unique operating principles and applications. However, beyond these, several other detectors are designed for more specialized...
1.5K
Mass Spectrometry: Alkene Fragmentation00:59

Mass Spectrometry: Alkene Fragmentation

3.7K
Alkenes lose one electron from the unsaturated π bond upon ionization and form stable molecular ions. Further fragmentation of alkenes occurs through three different reaction pathways. The most prominent fragmentation is the cleavage at the allylic position. The resultant allylic carbocation is resonance stabilized. In the mass spectra of terminal alkenes, this fragment appears at a mass-to-charge ratio of 41. In the internal alkenes, where there are two choices of allylic cleavage, the...
3.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Improved latitudinal carbon budgets from global airborne surveys.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Space-based observation of global increase in urban methane emissions from 2019-2023.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

A systematic review identifying personally modifiable factors for self-harm recovery in young people and the barriers and facilitators to their implementation.

Journal of psychiatric research·2026
Same author

Airborne Measurements Suggest That Halocarbon Emissions from the New York City Urban Region Have Comparable Climate Impacts to Its Methane Emissions.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same author

The global hydrogen budget.

Nature·2025
Same author

A Method for Rapid and Precise Triple Oxygen Isotope Measurements via High-Temperature Conversion to CO Followed by Nickel-Catalyzed CO to CO<sub>2</sub> Conversion and Laser Spectroscopy.

Analytical chemistry·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Measuring Dissolved Methane in Aquatic Ecosystems Using An Optical Spectroscopy Gas Analyzer
05:00

Measuring Dissolved Methane in Aquatic Ecosystems Using An Optical Spectroscopy Gas Analyzer

Published on: July 26, 2024

1.2K

Demonstration of an ethane spectrometer for methane source identification.

Tara I Yacovitch1, Scott C Herndon, Joseph R Roscioli

  • 1Aerodyne Research Inc., Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States.

Environmental Science & Technology
|June 20, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Measuring ethane alongside methane helps identify greenhouse gas sources. Mobile spectrometers reveal distinct ethane-to-methane ratios for biogenic versus thermogenic emissions, aiding source classification.

More Related Videos

Design and Use of a Full Flow Sampling System FFS for the Quantification of Methane Emissions
08:18

Design and Use of a Full Flow Sampling System FFS for the Quantification of Methane Emissions

Published on: June 12, 2016

17.4K
Flame Experiments at the Advanced Light Source: New Insights into Soot Formation Processes
10:04

Flame Experiments at the Advanced Light Source: New Insights into Soot Formation Processes

Published on: May 26, 2014

13.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Measuring Dissolved Methane in Aquatic Ecosystems Using An Optical Spectroscopy Gas Analyzer
05:00

Measuring Dissolved Methane in Aquatic Ecosystems Using An Optical Spectroscopy Gas Analyzer

Published on: July 26, 2024

1.2K
Design and Use of a Full Flow Sampling System FFS for the Quantification of Methane Emissions
08:18

Design and Use of a Full Flow Sampling System FFS for the Quantification of Methane Emissions

Published on: June 12, 2016

17.4K
Flame Experiments at the Advanced Light Source: New Insights into Soot Formation Processes
10:04

Flame Experiments at the Advanced Light Source: New Insights into Soot Formation Processes

Published on: May 26, 2014

13.3K

Area of Science:

  • Atmospheric Chemistry
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Background:

  • Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and ozone precursor.
  • Differentiating methane sources is crucial for effective mitigation strategies.
  • Ethane measurements provide a key tracer for methane source attribution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To utilize mobile ethane spectrometers for measuring ethane/methane ratios.
  • To differentiate between various methane emission source types.
  • To classify methane emitters based on their ethane content.

Main Methods:

  • Deployment of Aerodyne Ethane-Mini spectrometers on ground and aerial platforms.
  • Measurement of ethane and methane enhancement ratios downwind of emission sources.
  • Tabulation of ethane/methane ratios for different source categories.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in ethane/methane ratios were observed between biogenic and thermogenic methane sources.
  • Variations within thermogenic sources were detected and categorized (e.g., dry gas, wet gas, natural gas liquids).
  • Regional mapping in the Dallas/Fort Worth area revealed distinct emission zones.

Conclusions:

  • Continuous, fast ethane measurements are valuable for methane emission studies.
  • Ethane/methane ratios effectively classify methane sources, particularly in the oil and gas sector.
  • Mobile monitoring provides critical data for understanding and managing methane emissions.