Chemical aspects of a brine pool at the East Flower Garden bank, northwestern Gulf of Mexico
A small pool on the flank of the East Flower Garden bank at a depth of 72 m in the Gulf of Mexico contains anoxic, hypersaline (approx. 200 g.kg/sup -1/) water. The flux of brine into and out of the pool contributes to erosional processes on the bank. The bulk ionic composition of the brine is similar to that of the Orca Basin brine, but differences between the two in gaseous hydrocarbon and carbon isotope content indicate different modes of origin. High levels of bacterial activity in the brine are indicated by ATP (> 80 ng.liter/sup -1/), hydrogen sulfide (> 2000 ..mu..mol.liter/sup -1/), isotopically light ..sigma..CO/sub 2/ (delta/sup 13/C =-23/sup 0///sub 00/ and the apparent generaton of elemental sulfur.
- Research Organization:
- Texas A & M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5642441
- Journal Information:
- Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States), Vol. 24:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
02 PETROLEUM
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BRINES
WATER CHEMISTRY
GULF OF MEXICO
PONDS
SALT DEPOSITS
UNDERWATER
BACTERIA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HYDROCARBONS
ISOLATED VALUES
SALINITY
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
DATA
DATA FORMS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
INFORMATION
LEVELS
MICROORGANISMS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
580500* - Oceanography- (1980-1989)
020200 - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
520100 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)