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MSM98

RV Maria S. Merian - Expedition MSM98

08.01.2021 - 23.01.2021

Emden - Emden

 

VARIOSEEP

Variability, amount and fate of methane seepage in the German North Sea

 

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Methane has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide, is the second-most important greenhouse, and therefore a driver of climate change. Methane seeping from the seafloor, particularly in shallow shelf-regions, is one source of atmospheric methane, but exact amounts are still discussed. This hold for natural seepages, but also for methane, which may escape from active and abandoned oil & gas wells. During research cruise HE537 (July 2019) we studied the seafloor at the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Sea for gas seepage. While none of the nine studied abandoned wells (of about 100 in the German EEZ) released obviously gas, we found hundreds, so far unknown gas flares in the study area. Particularly the flanks of the salt dome Berta were identified as hotspot also exhibiting 10-fold enriched methane concentrations in the water column, but the intensity, temporal variation, rates, local atmospheric methane concentrations, microbial fate and isotopic nature of the gas remain unknown. In the frame of this cruise we intend to answer these open questions by an interdisciplinary approach of participants from three institutions (using hydroacoustic and electromagnetic measurements, gas geochemistry and microbiology). Our studies shall also base on gas samples taken by a flexible ROV-system. In addition to fostering our knowledge on natural methane seepage in the North Sea, VARIOSEEP aims at increasing our knowledge on the integrity of abandoned wells by also studying three as yet unexplored wells in the “Entenschnabel” area.

Karte des geplanten Untersuchungsgebietes und Stationsarbeiten.
Map of the planned work areas and stations