A5: Biogeochemical processes and mineral authigenesis in methane-rich sediments

(S. Kasten, Bremerhaven; G. Dickens; Houston; A. Boetius, Bremen)

This session seeks to bring together contributions from geochemistry, biogeochemistry, geobiology, and microbiology focussing on cold seep and other methane-rich sedimentary environments. The aim is to (1) advance the understanding of biogeochemical processes occurring at methane-fueled marine habitats, (2) establish budgets for methane fluxes at seep systems, (3) elucidate the biotic and abiotic formation mechanisms of authigenic minerals in and above methane-rich sediments, and (4) trace hot spots and key geological areas of methane turnover in the sedimentary and geophysical record.