Geochemical Arrays at Woolsey Mound Seafloor Observatory
Abstract
A suite of geochemical monitoring arrays has been developed for the Woolsey Mound Seafloor Observatory in the northern Gulf of Mexico to evaluate the oceanographic and tectonic forcing factors on the formation and stability of gas hydrates. These arrays are designed to collect sustained, time-series data of chemical concentrations, gradients and fluxes from the subsurface to the seafloor and into the near bottom water column. A Pore Fluid Array provides time-series measurements of methane, sulfate and salinity in subsurface pore waters to evaluate microbial activity, hydrate formation and/or hydrate dissociation. A Chimney Sampler Array collects in situ chemical and physical readings at the benthic boundary. The array is designed around a vertical cylinder with a known volume and washout rate for measuring chemical gradients and flux at the seafloor. The Benthic Boundary Layer Array extends into the water column with a package of sensors in a node close to the seafloor and a similar node 20 m above the seafloor to evaluate upward, downward and transversely advecting fluids. The three arrays can be used in concert to evaluate a release of methane by the dissociation of gas hydrates: the Pore Fluid Array identifies the breakdown of gas hydrates in the subsurface, the Chimney Array determines the rate of flux at the seafloor and the Benthic Boundary Layer Array evaluates the fate of the release in the water column. Combining the data from the geochemical arrays with output from the geophysical arrays provides key information to evaluate the specific and relative importance of tectonic and oceanographic triggers for hydrate dissociation. New probes and deployment platforms have been developed for the installation and maintenance of the arrays and new systems are in place and under development for the recovery of the data. Generally, the complete array or its components have to be recovered to download the data. However, this summer 2011, a new optic modem system was incorporated into the Benthic Boundary Layer Array for high-speed, wireless data transmission. Combining this system with a cabled observatory will allow real-time monitoring of gas hydrates in the natural environment. The arrays have each been deployed at the Woolsey Mound Seafloor Observatory for extended durations. Woolsey Mound is at a depth of approximately 900m on the continental slope of the northern Gulf of Mexico in Mississippi Canyon Federal Lease Block 118. The Observatory is a multi-component facility that will have geophysical and microbial components in addition to the geochemical arrays described here. The goal of the Observatory is to develop a facility to evaluate the formation and stability of gas hydrates in a natural system. Specific areas of interest include geohazards, alternative energy resources, climate change and unique, deep- marine habitats. The poster presents the major geochemical arrays at Woolsey Mound Seafloor Observatory, including their design, sensor specifications, deployment and installation platforms, and scientific relevance.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011AGUFMOS13C1545S
- Keywords:
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- 3004 MARINE GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS / Gas and hydrate systems