Determining the flux of methane into Hudson Canyon at the edge of methane clathrate hydrate stability

Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
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Abstract

Methane seeps were investigated in Hudson Canyon, the largest shelf-break canyon on the northern US Atlantic Margin. The seeps investigated are located at or updip of the nominal limit of methane clathrate hydrate stability. The acoustic identification of bubble streams was used to guide water column sampling in a 32 km2 region within the canyon's thalweg. By incorporating measurements of dissolved methane concentration with methane oxidation rates and current velocity into a steady-state box model, the total emission of methane to the water column in this region was estimated to be 12 kmol methane per day (range: 6 – 24 kmol methane per day). These analyses suggest this methane is largely retained inside the canyon walls below 300 m water depth, and that it is aerobically oxidized to near completion within the larger extent of Hudson Canyon. Based on estimated methane emissions and measured oxidation rates, the oxidation of this methane to dissolved CO2 is expected to have minimal influences on seawater pH. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Determining the flux of methane into Hudson Canyon at the edge of methane clathrate hydrate stability
Series title Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
DOI 10.1002/2016GC006421
Volume 17
Issue 10
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 11 p.
First page 3882
Last page 3892
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