| 1. |
- Robinson, Adam H., et al.
(författare)
-
Multiscale characterisation of chimneys/pipes : Fluid escape structures within sedimentary basins
- 2021
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. - : Elsevier BV. - 1750-5836 .- 1878-0148. ; 106
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Evaluation of seismic reflection data has identified the presence of fluid escape structures cross-cutting overburden stratigraphy within sedimentary basins globally. Seismically-imaged chimneys/pipes are considered to be possible pathways for fluid flow, which may hydraulically connect deeper strata to the seabed. The properties of fluid migration pathways through the overburden must be constrained to enable secure, long-term subsurface carbon dioxide (CO2) storage. We have investigated a site of natural active fluid escape in the North Sea, the Scanner pockmark complex, to determine the physical characteristics of focused fluid conduits, and how they control fluid flow. Here we show that a multi-scale, multi-disciplinary experimental approach is required for complete characterisation of fluid escape structures. Geophysical techniques are necessary to resolve fracture geometry and subsurface structure (e.g., multi-frequency seismics) and physical parameters of sediments (e.g., controlled source electromagnetics) across a wide range of length scales (m to km). At smaller (mm to cm) scales, sediment cores were sampled directly and their physical and chemical properties assessed using laboratory-based methods. Numerical modelling approaches bridge the resolution gap, though their validity is dependent on calibration and constraint from field and laboratory experimental data. Further, time-lapse seismic and acoustic methods capable of resolving temporal changes are key for determining fluid flux. Future optimisation of experiment resource use may be facilitated by the installation of permanent seabed infrastructure, and replacement of manual data processing with automated workflows. This study can be used to inform measurement, monitoring and verification workflows that will assist policymaking, regulation, and best practice for CO2 subsurface storage operations.
|
|
| 2. |
- Böttner, Christoph, et al.
(författare)
-
Pockmarks in the Witch Ground Basin, Central North Sea
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems. - 1525-2027. ; 20:4, s. 1698-1719
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Marine sediments host large amounts of methane (CH4), which is a potent greenhouse gas. Quantitative estimates for methane release from marine sediments are scarce, and a poorly constrained temporal variability leads to large uncertainties in methane emission scenarios. Here, we use 2-D and 3-D seismic reflection, multibeam bathymetric, geochemical, and sedimentological data to (I) map and describe pockmarks in the Witch Ground Basin (central North Sea), (II) characterize associated sedimentological and fluid migration structures, and (III) analyze the related methane release. More than 1,500 pockmarks of two distinct morphological classes spread over an area of 225 km(2). The two classes form independently from another and are corresponding to at least two different sources of fluids. Class 1 pockmarks are large in size (> 6 m deep, > 250 m long, and > 75 m wide), show active venting, and are located above vertical fluid conduits that hydraulically connect the seafloor with deep methane sources. Class 2 pockmarks, which comprise 99.5% of all pockmarks, are smaller (0.9-3.1 m deep, 26-140 m long, and 14-57 m wide) and are limited to the soft, fine-grained sediments of the Witch Ground Formation and possibly sourced by compaction-related dewatering. Buried pockmarks within the Witch Ground Formation document distinct phases of pockmark formation, likely triggered by external forces related to environmental changes after deglaciation. Thus, greenhouse gas emissions from pockmark fields cannot be based on pockmark numbers and present-day fluxes but require an analysis of the pockmark forming processes through geological time. Plain Language Summary Marine sediments host large amounts of methane (CH4), which is a potent greenhouse gas. The amount of methane released into the atmosphere is, however, largely unknown making it difficult to implement this methane source in climate models. Here we use geophysical, geochemical, and sedimentological data to map the distribution of fluid escape structures in the central North Sea. More than 1,500 pockmarks, which are circular to semicircular depressions of the seafloor, indicate fluid flow from the subsurface. There are two distinct morphological classes of pockmarks corresponding to at least two different fluid sources. Class 1 pockmarks are large, show active venting, and are located above vertical fluid conduits in the subsurface, which feed fluids from deeper strata. Class 2 pockmarks, which comprise 99.5% of all pockmarks, are smaller and limited to the soft sediments directly below the seafloor. Older pockmarks in the subsurface document distinct phases of pockmark formation, likely triggered by external forces after the retreat of ice in the North Sea. The amount of methane released from natural geological sources based on pockmark numbers may be wrong as these do not take into account the origin and composition of released fluids.
|
|
| 3. |
- Böttner, Christoph, et al.
(författare)
-
Pockmarks in the Witch Ground Basin, Central North Sea
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 1525-2027. ; 20:4, s. 1698-1719
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Marine sediments host large amounts of methane (CH4), which is a potent greenhouse gas. Quantitative estimates for methane release from marine sediments are scarce, and a poorly constrained temporal variability leads to large uncertainties in methane emission scenarios. Here, we use 2-D and 3-D seismic reflection, multibeam bathymetric, geochemical, and sedimentological data to (I) map and describe pockmarks in the Witch Ground Basin (central North Sea), (II) characterize associated sedimentological and fluid migration structures, and (III) analyze the related methane release. More than 1,500 pockmarks of two distinct morphological classes spread over an area of 225 km2. The two classes form independently from another and are corresponding to at least two different sources of fluids. Class 1 pockmarks are large in size (>6 m deep, >250 m long, and >75 m wide), show active venting, and are located above vertical fluid conduits that hydraulically connect the seafloor with deep methane sources. Class 2 pockmarks, which comprise 99.5% of all pockmarks, are smaller (0.9–3.1 m deep, 26–140 m long, and 14–57 m wide) and are limited to the soft, fine-grained sediments of the Witch Ground Formation and possibly sourced by compaction-related dewatering. Buried pockmarks within the Witch Ground Formation document distinct phases of pockmark formation, likely triggered by external forces related to environmental changes after deglaciation. Thus, greenhouse gas emissions from pockmark fields cannot be based on pockmark numbers and present-day fluxes but require an analysis of the pockmark forming processes through geological time.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Weaver, P. P.E., et al.
(författare)
-
Assessing plume impacts caused by polymetallic nodule mining vehicles
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Marine Policy. - 0308-597X. ; 139
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Deep-sea mining may be just a few years away and yet society is struggling to assess the positive aspects, such as increasing the supply of metals for battery production to fuel the green revolution, versus the potentially large environmental impacts. Mining of polymetallic (manganese) nodules from the deep ocean is likely to be the first mineral resource targeted and will involve direct impacts to hundreds of km2 of seabed per mine per year. However, the mining activity will also cause the generation of large sediment plumes that will spread away from the mine site and have both immediate and long-term effects over much wider areas. We discuss what the impacts of plumes generated near the seabed by mining vehicles may be and how they might be measured in such challenging environments. Several different mining vehicles are under development around the world and depending on their design some may create larger plumes than others. We discuss how these vehicles could be compared so that better engineering designs could be selected and to encourage innovation in dealing with plume generation and spread. These considerations will aid the International Seabed Authority (ISA) that has the task of regulating mining activities in much of the deep sea in its commitment to promote the Best Available Technology (BAT) and Best Environmental Practice (BEP).
|
|
