Biogeochemistry (speciation and isotopes of S and C) in bottom sediments, water and bacterial mats from the White Sea

This publication presents results of microbiological and biogeochemical studies in the White Sea. Material was obtained during a series of expeditions in 1999-2002. The studies were carried out in the open part of the White Sea, in the Onega, Dvina and Kandalaksha Bays, as well as in the intertidal zone of the Kandalaksha Bay. Quantitative characteristics of activity of microbial processes in waters and bottom sediments of the White Sea were obtained. The total number of bacteria was equal to 150000-800000 cells/ml, and intensity of dark CO2 assimilation was equal to 0.9-17 µg C/l/day. Bacterial sulfate reduction was equal to 3-150 mg S/m**2/day, and methane formation and oxidation was equal to 13-6840 and 20-14650 µl CH4/m**2/day, respectively. Extremely high values of intensity of all principal microbial processes were found in intertidal sediments rich in organic matter: under decomposing macrophytes, in local pits at the lower intertidal boundary, and in the mouth of a freshwater brook. Average hydrogen sulfide production in highly productive intertidal sediments was 1950-4300 mg S/m**2/day, methane production was 0.5-8.7 ml CH4/m**2/day, and intensity of methane oxidation was up to 17.5 ml CH4/m**2/day. Calculations performed with account for areas occupied by microlandscapes of increased productivity showed that diurnal production of H2S and CH4 per 1 km**2 of the intertidal zone (August) was estimated as 60.8-202 kg S/km**2/day and 192-300 l CH4/km**2/day, respectively.

Carbon and deuterium isotopes and C ratios in gas hydrates of ODP Leg 204 sites

Sediments at the southern summit of Hydrate Ridge display two distinct modes of gas hydrate occurrence. The dominant mode is associated with active venting of gas exsolved from the accretionary prism and leads to high concentrations (15%-40% of pore space) of gas hydrate in seafloor or near-surface sediments at and around the topographic summit of southern Hydrate Ridge. These near-surface gas hydrates are mainly composed of previously buried microbial methane but also contain a significant (10%-15%) component of thermogenic hydrocarbons and are overprinted with microbial methane currently being generated in shallow sediments. Focused migration pathways with high gas saturation (>65%) abutting the base of gas hydrate stability create phase equilibrium conditions that permit the flow of a gas phase through the gas hydrate stability zone. Gas seepage at the summit supports rapid growth of gas hydrates and vigorous anaerobic methane oxidation. The other mode of gas hydrate occurs in slope basins and on the saddle north of the southern summit and consists of lower average concentrations (0.5%-5%) at greater depths (30-200 meters below seafloor [mbsf]) resulting from the buildup of in situ-generated dissolved microbial methane that reaches saturation levels with respect to gas hydrate stability at 30-50 mbsf. Net rates of sulfate reduction in the slope basin and ridge saddle sites estimated from curve fitting of concentration gradients are 2-4 mmol/m**3/yr, and integrated net rates are 20-50 mmol/m**2/yr. Modeled microbial methane production rates are initially 1.5 mmol/m**3/yr in sediments just beneath the sulfate reduction zone but rapidly decrease to rates of <0.1 mmol/m**3/yr at depths >100 mbsf. Integrated net rates of methane production in sediments away from the southern summit of Hydrate Ridge are 25-80 mmol/m**2/yr. Anaerobic methane oxidation is minor or absent in cored sediments away from the summit of southern Hydrate Ridge. Ethane-enriched Structure I gas hydrate solids are buried more rapidly than ethane-depleted dissolved gas in the pore water because of advection from compaction. With subsidence beneath the gas hydrate stability zone, the ethane (mainly of low-temperature thermogenic origin) is released back to the dissolved gas-free gas phases and produces a discontinuous decrease in the C1/C2 vs. depth trend. These ethane fractionation effects may be useful to recognize and estimate levels of gas hydrate occurrence in marine sediments.