Methane Migration and Its Influence on Sulfate Reduction in the Good Weather Ridge Region, South China Sea Continental Margin Sediments

Bacteria sulfate reduction is a major pathway for organic carbon oxidation in marine sediments. Upward diffusion of methane from gas hydrate deep in the sedimentary strata might be another important source of carbon for sulfate reducing bacteria and subsequently induce higher rates of sulfate reduct...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Saulwood Lin, Wei-Chi Hsieh, Yee Cheng Lim, Tsanyao Frank Yang, Char-Shine Liu Yunshuen Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Chinese Geoscience Union 2006-01-01
Series:Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access: http://tao.cgu.org.tw/images/attachments/v174p883.pdf
Description
Summary:Bacteria sulfate reduction is a major pathway for organic carbon oxidation in marine sediments. Upward diffusion of methane from gas hydrate deep in the sedimentary strata might be another important source of carbon for sulfate reducing bacteria and subsequently induce higher rates of sulfate reduction in sediments. Since abundant gas may migrate upward to the surface as a result of tectonic activity occurring in the accretionary wedge, this study investigates the effect of methane migration on the sulfate reduction process in continental margin sediments offshore southwestern Taiwan. Piston and gravity core samples were taken in order to evaluate vertical and spatial variations of sulfate and methane. Pore water sulfate, sulfide, methane, sediment pyrite, and organic carbon were extracted and analyzed.
ISSN:1017-0839
2311-7680