DEGASSING OF THE BLACK SEA BOTTOM: SIGNIFICANCE FOR GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION, ECOLOGY AND NAVIGATION
Journal Title: Вісник Одеського національного університету. Географічні та геологічні науки - Year 2014, Vol 19, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper is devoted to a review of modern ideas about degassing (mainly methane) from the bottom of the Black Sea. The main goal is to describe methane emissions on the sea bottom, to delineate their spatial distribution, and to provide insight into their possible origin as well as their influence on ecosystems and navigation. It is shown that the Black Sea is the largest meromictic basin, waters of which are enriched with methane. As such, the basin holds great promise for new energy sources to supply the Black Sea countries, and most of Europe as well. The amount of methane is several times larger than the known gas reservoirs on Earth. Its presence under the sea bottom is evident from outbursts of submarine mud volcanoes that commonly contain ice-like aggregates of gas (largely methane) hydrates as well as many high-intensity gas seeps and gas bogs that release huge quantities of methane. While gas hydrates accumulate methane, submarine mud volcanoes, gas seeps, and gas bogs release it into the water column largely from deep sources, and much less often as a product of biochemical processes in bottom sediments. There is a certain zoning in the distribution of methane emissions, in particular, seepы are located on the periphery of the basin while gas hydrates are distributed within its central part. While gas seeps can be used as indicators for oil exploration, mud volcanoes can indicate the oil and gas deposits under the sea bottom. An interconnection between mud volcanoes and gas hydrates cannot be excluded. It appears that methane in the sea water affects biota in a negative way. Eruptions of mud volcanoes are dangerous for navigation and communications or industrial equipment (cables, gas pipes, etc.) on the sea bottom.
Authors and Affiliations
E. F. Shnyukov, V. V. Yanko
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP400205
- DOI -
- Views 52
- Downloads 0
ABOUT IMPACT OF A BUILDINGS ON SITUATION OF ODESSA BAY COASTS, KRYZHANOVKA VILLAGE (THE BLACK SEA)
The Odessa bay coast situated under impact of active and strong anthropogenous press during several decades. Sandy accumulative shore forms occupy 55% of shore long in Odessa Bay. In current time the forms are very destr...
MORPHOMETRY AND TOPONYMY OF THE HYDROLOGICAL OBJECTS IN THE NATIONAL NATURE PARK «TUZLOVSKIE LIMANY»
Purpose. «Tuzlovskie limany» National Nature Park was created in 2010. The different genetic types of water bodies, a different number of geographical objects, different place names (hydronyms) in the park were indicated...
MAIN FEATURES OF BALNEOLOGICAL AND MUD RESORTS NETWORK OF THE BLACK SEA COUNTRIES
Purpose. The aim of the article is the characteristics of geographical (natural and socio-economic) prerequisites for the development of coastal resorts of Black Sea region countries, with emphasis on balneological and m...
LONG-TERM DYNAMICS OF BIOGENIC ELEMENTS IN THE NW BLACK SEA SHELF
Dynamics of biogenic elements deposit by the river Danube has been estimated for two periods 1960-1990 and 1990-2005 as well as its influence on the rate of eutrophication of the north-western part of the Black sea and t...
PALEOGIDROGEOHIMICHESKIE features of accumulation of bromine in SOUTHEASTERN Dnieper -Donetsk basin
Purpose. An attempt to establish a link between geotectonic development of the southeastern part of the Dnieper-Donets Basin and the accumulation of bromine in groundwater. The study involved the groundwater, and the sub...