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Temporal constraints on hydrate-controlled methane seepage off Svalbard

C. Berndt, T. Feseker and V. J. Bertics, I. Dumke and K. Dünnbier, B. Ferré and C. Graves, F. Gross and K. Hissmann, V. Hühnerbach and S. Krause, K. Lieser and J. Schauer, L. Steinle. (2014) Temporal constraints on hydrate-controlled methane seepage off Svalbard. Science, Vol. 343, H. 6168. pp. 284-287.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A6288869

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Abstract

Methane hydrate is an icelike substance that is stable at high pressure and low temperature in continental margin sediments. Since the discovery of a large number of gas flares at the landward termination of the gas hydrate stability zone off Svalbard, there has been concern that warming bottom waters have started to dissociate large amounts of gas hydrate and that the resulting methane release may possibly accelerate global warming. Here, we corroborate that hydrates play a role in the observed seepage of gas, but we present evidence that seepage off Svalbard has been ongoing for at least 3000 years and that seasonal fluctuations of 1° to 2°C in the bottom-water temperature cause periodic gas hydrate formation and dissociation, which focus seepage at the observed sites.
Faculties and Departments:05 Faculty of Science > Departement Umweltwissenschaften > Geowissenschaften > Aquatic and Isotope Biogeochemistry (Lehmann)
UniBasel Contributors:Niemann, Helge and Steinle, Lea
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:American Association for the Advancement of Science
ISSN:0036-8075
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Language:English
Language:English
Identification Number:
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Last Modified:31 Dec 2015 10:56
Deposited On:12 Sep 2014 08:02

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