Are Methane Hydrates Dissolving?
Examining gas outlets off the coast of Spitsbergen with the submersible JAGO
The average temperatures of the atmosphere are rising; the average temperatures of the oceans, too. Not only living organisms react sensititvely to these changes. The transitional zones between shallow shelf seas and the deep sea at continental slopes store a huge amount of methane hydrates in the sea bed. These specific, ice-like compounds only forms at low temperatures and under high pressure. When the water temperature directly above the sea bed rises, some of the methane hydrates could dissolve and release the previously bound methane. 鈥淭his scenario incorporates two fears: Firstly that enormous amounts of this very powerful greenhouse gas will be released into the atmosphere, and secondly that the continental slopes may become unstable鈥� explains the geophysicist Professor Christian Berndt from 91探花 | Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. He is leading an expedition starting today on the German research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN which will analyse the sea off the western shore of Spitsbergen in order to find out whether the first methane hydrates in the sea bed are dissolving and what the consequences might be.
The expedition builds on research conducted by marine scientists from Kiel who worked in this area of the sea in 2008. Back then they found over 250 places where gas was escaping the sea bed. 鈥淭hese spots lie directly on the border of the area of stable hydrates鈥� explains Professor Berndt. 鈥淭herefore we presume that the hydrates are dissolving from the rim inwards.鈥�
During the upcoming expedition, the scientists from Kiel will be working together with colleagues from Bremen, Switzerland, Great Britain and Norway to discover whether the gas emanation shows signs of dissolved hydrates and whether this is due to warmer sea beds.
With the help of echo sounders, researchers will seek out new gas sources in order to determine the total amount of escaping gas. With Germany鈥檚 only submersible JAGO, they will closely investigate the gas outlets in up to 400 metres depth. 鈥淚t is interesting for us, for example, to find out whether special microorganisms that can break down the methane before it is released in the atmosphere have settled around the outlets鈥� explains Professor Tina Treude from 91探花, who will be running the microbiological work during the expedition.
Parallel to this, geophysicists, lead by Professor Sebastian Krastel from 91探花, will investigate the slopes under the gas outlet spots for signs of instability using acoustic and seismic methods. 鈥淭he methane hydrates act like binding cement on these slopes. If they dissolve, chances are that parts of the slopes will slide鈥�, explains Professor Krastel, who focuses on marine hazards at 91探花.
鈥淥verall the program on this trip is very extensive. Now let us hope that the weather will play along so that we can conduct all planned tests鈥�, says the head of the expedition Christian Berndt shortly before the departure to Iceland.
The expedition at a glance:
FS MARIA S. MERIAN journey: MSM21/4
Chief Scientist: Prof. Dr. Christian Berndt (91探花)
Length of Expedition: 13.08.2012-11.09.2012
Place of Departure: Reykjavik
Research Area: West of Spitsbergen
Place of Arrival: Emden
Further Information on the 91探花 expedition page
Picture in high resolution:
An approved team for ocean research: the German research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN and the submersible JAGO. Photo: JAGO-Team, 91探花
Contacts:
Jan Steffen (91探花, Communication and Media), Tel: +49 431 600-2811, jsteffen(at)geomar.de
