EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Zhang 2003
Zhang, Y. (2003). Methane escape from gas hydrate systems in marine environment, and methane-driven oceanic eruptions. Geophysical Research Letters 30: doi: 10.1029/2002GL016658. issn: 0094-8276.

Huge quantities of CH4 are stored in marine sediment in the form of methane hydrate, bubbles, and dissolved CH4 in pore water. Here I discuss the various pathways for methane to enter the ocean and atmosphere, including: (i) Methane hydrate dissolution or dissociation as it rises through seawater. The dissociation rate can be 2 to 3 orders of magnitude greater than the dissolution rate. (ii) The dissolution and expansion of a bubble with or without a hydrate shell as it rises through seawater. There is a critical radius (which depends on depth), above which a bubble would reach the surface or even become larger as it rises. I also propose and model the dynamics of a new type of terrestrial gas-driven eruptions: methane-driven oceanic eruptions. Such eruptions not only represent a yet unrecognized geohazard, but also provide a pathway for CH4 to rapidly enter the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Marine Geology and Geophysics, General or miscellaneous, Oceanography, Physical, Turbulence, diffusion, and mixing processes, Volcanology, Eruption mechanisms, Volcanology, Planetary volcanism, General or Miscellaneous, New fields (not classifiable under other headings)
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit