Response of shallow gas charged Holocene deposits in the Yangtze Delta to erosion induced by diminished sediment supply: Increasing greenhouse gas emission

Abstract

<p>River deltas have long been considered as important carbon sinks. However, the presence of shallow gas (mainly composed of methane) and the processes of delta erosion caused by diminished sediment supply bring complexities to the present situation. This study investigates the response of the gas charged deposits in the Yangtze subaqueous delta to erosion process based on historical bathymetric data and the dataset obtained from a seismic survey. Both seismic and bathymetric data reveal a prominent erosion belt at water depth ranging from 5-20 m, extending from the southwest to the northeast in the nearshore area of the Yangtze subaqueous delta. Erosion is severe in the south while slight in the north area due to the differences in hydrodynamic condition, sediment erodibility and sensitivity to sediment reduction. Seabed erosion reduces the thickness of cap bed, as well as overburden pressure at gas front, making it easier for gas to seep through the sediment column and bypass the process of anerobic oxidation of methane within the SMT (an important methane filter). The spatial coincidence between the shallower gas front and pockmarks also indicates that sea bed erosion accelerates gas seeping activities. It expected more greenhouse gas would be expelled into atmosphere under the impact of bed erosion induced by ongoing decline of riverine sediment supply.</p>