Global flux of methane from shallow submarine sediments
The seepage of methane through the seabed of the world's continental shelves is considered. Methane may be generated by both bacterial and thermogenic processes acting on the complex organic matter stored in the seabed. Because these processes are ubiquitous, occurrences of gas and gas seepages are probably widespread. Although numerous observations of methane seepages from shallow marine sources have been reported, there are few documented flux measurements. A rough estimation of the global flux suggests that between 8 and 65 Tg of methane passes through the seabed of the continental shelves annually. If a significant proportion of this passes through the water column and into the atmosphere, the oceans may represent a more significant source of methane than has been suggested previously.
- Research Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA (United States). Environmental Research Lab.
- OSTI ID:
- 6119609
- Report Number(s):
- PB-93-222388/XAB; EPA--600/J-93/280
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ALKANES
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BLACK SEA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
FORECASTING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROCARBONS
LATIN AMERICA
MARINE SURVEYS
MATTER
METHANE
MEXICO
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NORTH AMERICA
NORTH SEA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MATTER
PACIFIC OCEAN
PROBABILISTIC ESTIMATION
RESOURCES
SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL
SEAS
SEDIMENTS
SEEPS
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS