Abstract
Current climate models predict an annual temperature increase in the Arctic between 4° and 6°C by the end of the 21st century with widespread impact on the Arctic environment. Warming will lead to thawing of the widespread, permanently frozen, high-latitude peat-lands and to degradation of marine gas hydrates, both of which may increase the rate of methane release to the atmosphere. This will influence global climate as methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a large global warming potential. Marine gas hydrates are found worldwide on continental margins and frequently occur in the Arctic. Interpretation of seismic profiles has also indicated their presence in the Disko Bugt region in western Greenland.
Highlights
In June 2011 a scientific cruise was undertaken in the Disko Bugt region (Fig. 1) to investigate the occurrence of methane and possible gas hydrates in the region
Depending on the bottom water temperature methane hydrate is typically stable in sea-floor sediments on the continental slope, but in high-latitude regions with low bottom water temperatures, the top of the gas hydrate stability zone may occur at shallower depths
Depth cal analyses, including measurements of methane concentrations and concentration of pore-water solutes, which aimed at providing data that could confirm the presence of gas hydrates
Summary
In June 2011 a scientific cruise was undertaken in the Disko Bugt region (Fig. 1) to investigate the occurrence of methane and possible gas hydrates in the region. The cruise was part of a multidisciplinary scientific project Impact on permafrost, gas hydrates and periglacial processes following climate changes in Greenland (Permagas). Km 54°W the impact of global climate warming on permafrost and gas hydrates in the Disko Bugt region. Marine gas hydrates form under high pressure and low temperature in sediments below the seabed (Fig. 2). Depending on the bottom water temperature methane hydrate is typically stable in sea-floor sediments on the continental slope, but in high-latitude regions with low bottom water temperatures, the top of the gas hydrate stability zone may occur at shallower depths. The seismic profile is part of released data acquired for the company Nunaoil in 1998
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