Seepage from an arctic shallow marine gas hydrate reservoir is insensitive to momentary ocean warming

Wei-Li Hong (), Marta E. Torres, JoLynn Carroll, Antoine Crémière, Giuliana Panieri, Haoyi Yao and Pavel Serov
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Wei-Li Hong: CAGE—Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Marta E. Torres: CEOAS, Oregon State University
JoLynn Carroll: CAGE—Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Antoine Crémière: Geological Survey of Norway
Giuliana Panieri: CAGE—Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Haoyi Yao: CAGE—Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Pavel Serov: CAGE—Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Arctic gas hydrate reservoirs located in shallow water and proximal to the sediment-water interface are thought to be sensitive to bottom water warming that may trigger gas hydrate dissociation and the release of methane. Here, we evaluate bottom water temperature as a potential driver for hydrate dissociation and methane release from a recently discovered, gas-hydrate-bearing system south of Spitsbergen (Storfjordrenna, ∼380 m water depth). Modelling of the non-steady-state porewater profiles and observations of distinct layers of methane-derived authigenic carbonate nodules in the sediments indicate centurial to millennial methane emissions in the region. Results of temperature modelling suggest limited impact of short-term warming on gas hydrates deeper than a few metres in the sediments. We conclude that the ongoing and past methane emission episodes at the investigated sites are likely due to the episodic ventilation of deep reservoirs rather than warming-induced gas hydrate dissociation in this shallow water seep site.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15745

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