Gas geochemistry is an essential aspect in many areas of research, such as volcanology, environmental studies and resource exploration.
The GFZ gas geochemistry laboratory (GGL) routinely analyses most permanent gases. Depending on the application, individual approaches are often required. In addition to natural gas from various sources, process gases (e.g. corrosion and hydrolytic H2 in wells) and synthetic tracer gases (e.g. SF6) can be analysed.
Field gas sampling (boreholes, active volcanic areas, cave systems, underground salt and gold mines, CO2 sequestration sites and areas of natural hydrogen emission) represents a major part of the GGL-team's work. The installation and maintenance of permanent gas monitoring stations is also part of the core business of the GFZ GGL.
Instruments
A large number of gas analysers and a wide range of gas separation techniques are available.
Several quadrupole mass spectrometers (Omnistar, Pfeiffer Vacuum) and a mobile, field instrument (Mini Ruedi, Gasometrix).
Gas chromatographs (SRI 8610) equipped with different separation columns and detectors (FID, TCD, HID) are used.
A photoacoustic sensor (Innova 1412, Air Tech Instruments) to measure CO2, CH4, H2 and H2S in the µmol/mol range and SF6 in the nmol/mol range.
A Toxic Vapour Analyzer (TVA, Thermo Fisher scientific) as a portable gas chromatograph for hydrocarbon detection
Alpha Guard (Bertin technologies) for radon monitoring.
Li-COR accumulation chamber systems (Li 8250-M4 multiplexer with LI 8100 and LI-7810 trace gas analyser) are used to measure CO2 and CH4 fluxes.
In addition, many mobile and stationary sensors and measurement systems are available for a wide range of applications (e.g. Li-COR TGA 7810, Li-COR 8100, West Systems Accumulation Chamber).