T H E N A T I O N A L E N E R G Y T E C H N O L O G Y L A B O R A T O R Y M E T H A N E H Y D R A T E N E W S L E T T E R

CONTENTS

Summer Research CruisesReveal Secrets of MarineHydratesbull RV JOIDES Resolution

Docks With a Payload ofHydrate Samples

bull Multinational TeamRecovers Sub-Bottom Gulf-of-Mexico Hydrate Cores

bull Gulf-of-Mexico HydrateResearch ConsortiumCruise Locates NewHydrate Site Tests Pore-Water Sampler andRecovers Sea-Floor Probe

bull Twenty Days Studying Lifein Extreme Environments

bull Alvin Explores the Juan deFuca Seafloor

bull German ResearchersStudy Hydrate RidgeAboard the RV Sonne

Alaska Becomes a HugeHydrates Laboratorybull First Dedicated Hydrate

Well in Alaska Scheduledfor Early 2003

Spotlight on Researchbull Ian R McDonald

RV JOIDES RESOLUTION DOCKS WITH APAYLOAD OF HYDRATE SAMPLES

After two months in the PacificOcean off the Oregon coastthe research vessel (RV)JOIDES Resolution docked inVictoria British Columbia witha precious payload of methanehydrate samples the largestamount ever recovered forscientific study

The international expeditionknown as Leg 204 of the OceanDrilling Program spent thesummer approximately 50miles offshore collecting andpreserving hydrate samples inpressure vessels for study byscientists around the globeThe area of interest is HydrateRidge where two tectonicplates converge and wherescientific surveys indicatemassive accumulations ofhydrates

The cruise dedicated toinvestigating the origin anddistribution of gas hydrateswas primarily funded by theNational Science FoundationThe Department of Energy(DOE) Office of Fossil Energy

through the National Energy Technology Laboratory contributed more than$1 million and several pieces of research equipment to the Hydrate Ridgeexpedition Frank Rack Assistant Director of the Ocean Drilling Programheld the position of Staff Scientist during the cruise Gerhard Bohrman ofthe German Research Center for Marine Geosciences (GEOMAR) andAnne Treacutehu of the University of Oregon were Co-Chief Scientists

Using the latest in pressure-coring devices scientists for the first timewere able to maintain the samples at sub-seafloor pressures after theywere brought to the surface The objective was to maintain in-situ pressureso that scientists might analyze the methane gas trapped inside the frozenice crystals Using specially designed pressure vessels each six feet

Vol 2 Iss 3

Dr Frank Rack Assistant Director of the Ocean DrillingProgram and Staff Scientist during Leg 204 of the OceanDrilling Program handles the ODP Pressure CoreSampler on the deck of the RV JOIDES Resolution Itcontains gas hydrates in an ice bath awaiting controlleddegassing in the lab

(two meters) long and four inches (10 centimeters) in diameter nearly twomiles (over 3000 meters) of core were recovered from the ocean floor Icecores in 34 of the vessels will be preserved and stored at Texas AampMUniversity for post-cruise investigations

A major goal was to physically verify the presence of hydrates within thesediments in the cores Many of the cores were used for controlled degassingexperiments In addition an x-ray linear scanner developed just a monthbefore the cruise was utilized to detect density contrasts in the cores a primeindicator of hydrate occurrence Infrared thermal imaging and a nuclearmagnetic resonance logging-while-drilling tool were among other instrumentsused to evaluate the occurrence of hydrates in ocean sediments and in thecores

Another first for the scientists was the ability to acquire core samplessimultaneously with logging-while-drilling data This allows a direct comparisonof the logging data with the core samples Core data and the logging-while-drilling data will also be compared with a variety of conventional wire line andseismic information to more accurately correlate ocean bottom layers

CONTACT POINT

Brad TomerGas ExplorationProduction amp StorageProduct ManagerNational EnergyTechnology Laboratory(304) 285-4692(304) 285-4469 faxbradtomernetldoegov

Be sure to visit our website athttpwwwnetldoegovscnghydrate

INTENT

Fire in the Ice is published bythe National EnergyTechnology Laboratory topromote the exchange ofinformation among thoseinvolved in the research anddevelopment of gas hydratesas a resource

wwwnetldoegovscnghydrate The photo shows the graduatedcylinder filling with gas as the ODPPressure Core Sampler undergoescontrolled degassing in the lab aboardthe RV JOIDES Resolution Amaximum of 276 gallons (97 liters) ofmethane from gas hydrates wasrecovered during Leg 204 a recordfor this tool

(two meters) long and four inches (10 centimeters) in diameter nearly twomiles (over 3000 meters) of core were recovered from the ocean floor Icecores in 34 of the vessels will be preserved and stored at Texas AampMUniversity for post-cruise investigations

A major goal was to physically verify the presence of hydrates within thesediments in the cores Many of the cores were used for controlled degassingexperiments In addition an x-ray linear scanner developed just a monthbefore the cruise was utilized to detect density contrasts in the cores a primeindicator of hydrate occurrence Infrared thermal imaging and a nuclearmagnetic resonance logging-while-drilling tool were among other instrumentsused to evaluate the occurrence of hydrates in ocean sediments and in thecores

Another first for the scientists was the ability to acquire core samplessimultaneously with logging-while-drilling data This allows a direct comparisonof the logging data with the core samples Core data and the logging-while-drilling data will also be compared with a variety of conventional wire line andseismic information to more accurately correlate ocean bottom layers

CONTACT POINT

Brad TomerGas ExplorationProduction amp StorageProduct ManagerNational EnergyTechnology Laboratory(304) 285-4692(304) 285-4469 faxbradtomernetldoegov

Be sure to visit our website athttpwwwnetldoegovscnghydrate

INTENT

Fire in the Ice is published bythe National EnergyTechnology Laboratory topromote the exchange ofinformation among thoseinvolved in the research anddevelopment of gas hydratesas a resource

wwwnetldoegovscnghydrate The photo shows the graduatedcylinder filling with gas as the ODPPressure Core Sampler undergoescontrolled degassing in the lab aboardthe RV JOIDES Resolution Amaximum of 276 gallons (97 liters) ofmethane from gas hydrates wasrecovered during Leg 204 a recordfor this tool

The JOIDES Resolution spent from July 6 to September 2 2002 in the HydrateRidge area Scientists from many nations including the United States JapanCanada Spain Norway the United Kingdom Taiwan the Peoplersquos Republic ofChina and the Republic of Korea participated in various research and recoveryactivities The scientists had specific research objectives planned for each sitefor example

bull Investigating variations in the distribution composition and concentration ofgas hydrates laterally and with depth

bull Sampling the sediments fluids gases and gas hydrates for correlationmodeling geochemical geophysical and historical research and

bull Figuring out what causes variations in the seismic character of bottomsimulating reflectors (BSRs) and how BSRs and hydrate occurrence arerelated

Data photographs and core samples from the cruise are available for researchThe database includes paleontological lithostratigraphic chemical physicalsedimentological and geophysical data for ocean sediments and hard rocksInformation on requesting data and core samples can be found at httpwww-odptamuedu

For more information on the Joides Resolution Hydrate Ridge cruise contactFrank Rack at frackjoiscienceorg (202) 232-3900 x216or Bill Gwilliam atwgwillnetldoegov (304) 285-4401

The RV JOIDES Resolution

Anne Treacutehu (Co-ChiefScientist USA) and BradJulson (LaboratoryOfficer) discuss one of thefirst sediment coresrecovered during Leg 204

Cross Sections of MethaneHydrate Core Samples

MULTINATIONAL TEAM RECOVERS SUB-BOTTOM

GULF-OF-MEXICO HYDRATE CORES

It was an impressive dramatic show

Hydrate dissociation was spectacularly demonstrated when several meters ofa core blew vertically out of the end of the core barrel flew at least 33 feet (10meters) into the air and landed in the water next to the giant piston-coringcruise ship The gas hydrate specimen remained on the surface (because ofits low density) and floated away as it dissociated

Scientists from the United States France Germany the NetherlandsCanada Japan Greece Russia and Mexico set out from Cancuacuten Mexico inthe Gulf of Mexico (GOM) aboard the 400-foot (120-meter) long Frenchresearch vessel (RV) Marion Dufresne The cruise scheduled from July 1though July 18 2002 was partially funded by the US Department of Energyand was conducted jointly by the Institut Polaire Franccedilais Paul-Eacutemile Victor(IPEV) and the US Geological Survey (USGS)

The focus of the cruise was to determine whether gas hydrates exist awayfrom obvious seafloor hydrate mounds into adjacent sedimentary basins and ifso whether significant deposits occur deep within these basins The GOM isunique in that it contains numerous aerially extensive occurrences of bothbiogenic and thermogenic hydrates Gas hydrates are relatively common onthe GOM seafloor but there is a lack of bottom simulating reflections onseismic records

ldquoBallisticrdquo Hydrate SampleDissociating Over the Sea Surface

Site Map for RV Marion Dufresne Research Cruise

Unlike any US research vessel the Marion Dufresne has an unobstructedstarboard main deck where IPEVrsquos ldquoCalypsordquo corer is deployed and recoveredDuring the 17-day cruise the piston-coring system collected 17 cores someas long as 125 feet (38 meters) under the direction of the chief of operationsYvon Balut (IPEV) USGS scientists also collected 17 deep (46 to 69 feet or 4to 21 meters) heat-flow profiles near the piston-core sites The scientists foundthat widely varying geothermal gradients exist across the northern GOM Thisobservation will help define the sub-bottom extent of gas-hydrate stability

Cores were taken from the Tunica Mound Bush Hill and the east and westflanks of the Mississippi Canyon Gas hydrates were recovered in four differentcores at a maximum depth of about 27 feet (8 meters) below the seafloor Thehydrates in one core were disseminated within fine-grained sedimentassociated with the presence of nearby hydrocarbons In another corehydrates formed massive veins that filled the entire cross section of the coreliner These samples imply that continuous layers of gas hydrates of someunknown lateral extent exist

As gas and oil exploration and production move into deeper watermdashwherehydrate mounds are found and where hydrates are stable in the sedimentsmdashthe potential hazards of drilling increase Preliminary results confirm theexistence of gas hydrates in the sub-bottom in the vicinity of the ventsalthough their presence is not common in the adjacent sedimentary basinsThe scientists will use geochemical analyses physical properties andbiological associations to study the pore water and gas samples Results willalso be correlated with seismic records to assess the potential for using suchrecords to locate sub-seafloor gas hydrates

For more information on the RV Marion Dufresne cruise contact DeborahHutchinson at dhutchinsonusgsgov 508-457-2263 or Bill Gwilliam atwgwillnetldoegov (304) 285-4401

Gas Hydrate Chunks Recovered From a Giant Piston Core

RV Marion Dufresne

GULF OF MEXICO HYDRATE RESEARCH

CONSORTIUM CRUISE LOCATES NEW HYDRATE

SITE TESTS PORE-WATER SAMPLER AND

RECOVERS SEAFLOOR PROBE

Researchers aboard the cruise ship research vessel (RV) Seward Johnsonand the submersible Johnson Sea-Link collected valuable gas hydrate dataduring dives conducted from May 28 through June 5 2002 The cruise wasdedicated to studying the near-seafloor hydrocarbon system within the hydratestability zone of the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and specifically at locationsin the Green Mississippi and Desoto canyons Mother Nature favored themwith perfect weather and sea conditions yielding 14 successful dives

The primary research team was composed of scientists from the GOMHydrates Research Consortium (HRC) The consortium is part of the Center forMarine Resources and Environmental Technology (CMRET) at the University ofMississippi and is supported by the Mineral Management Service (MMS) theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and theDepartment of Energyrsquos National Energy Technology Laboratory Members arefrom academia federal institutions and the US Navy Dive planning andselection of study locations were based on information from proprietary dataprovided by MMS represented by Jesse Hunt The HRC site selection teamconsisted of Harry Roberts and Roger Sassen JR (Bob) Woolsey and TomMcGee of the CMRET had overall responsibility for the DOE leg of the cruise

New Hydrate Site The huge amount of data accumulated from the cruise isnow being analyzed Scientists collected samples of vent gas and gashydrates from a newly discovered gas hydrate mound in the deeper water ofthe Mississippi Canyon making this the easternmost gas hydrate site

The Research Crew for the Johnson Sea Link Cruise Sponsored by the Gulf of Mexico HydrateResearch Consortium

identified in the GOM Salt Basin Preliminary data show that the molecularproperties of the gas hydrates are unusual because the main hydrocarbonsare methane and ethane Only trace amounts of other hydrocarbons werepresent Little is known about the occurrence or origin of natural methane-ethane gas hydrates so the newly discovered mound is a significant find

Pore-Water Sampler A new in-situ pressurized pore-water sampler wasdeployed and successfully tested Developed by the Florida State University(FSU)University of North Carolina (UNC) geochemistry group the sampler cancollect interstitial water samples at various depths and deliver the samples tothe surface without degassing The samples collected during the cruise yieldedthe highest dissolved hydrocarbon concentrations thus far reported for a gashydrate environment FSUUNC researchers are attempting to determine therelative importance of petroleum and dissolved methane in supporting microbialrespiration

Seafloor Probe Researchers succeeded in recovering a 33-foot (1-meter)long seafloor temperature probe that had been in place at a depth of 1870 feet(570 meters) for more than three years The data recorded by the probe wasstill intact and suggests transient thermal effects of a significant loop currentover a period of several months Satellite remote sensing data and otherevidence seem to corroborate the existence of this loop current If verified loopcurrents perturb the temperature of seafloor sediments in deeper water thanpreviously supposed

Other Studies The Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group at TexasAampM University is analyzing light hydrocarbon gases and gas hydratesparticularly the molecular distribution (methane through propane) of gases thatvent naturally from the seafloor to the water column The composition of thevent gas controls the crystal structure of gas hydrates and is an indicator ofthe gas hydrate origin Scientists at the National Center for Natural ProductsResearch at the University of Mississippi are analyzing biological samples andhave begun isolating specific microorganisms The microbes will be extractedand filtered through biomedical screens that include antimicrobial anticancerand antiviral targets The ecological role of these microbes will also beexamined and biosurfactants produced by several of the more characteristicmicrobial communities (eg vent sites hydrate outcrops) will be collected andseparated for further studies

For more information on the DOE segment of the cruise contact J RobertWoolsey at instmmriolemissedu (662) 915-7320 or Joseph Renk atJosephRenknetldoegov (412) 386-6406

Dr Bob Woolsey admires the FSUUNCin-situ pressurized pore-water sampler

Johnson Sea-Link SubmersibleReady for Pickup

Dr Harry Roberts BackFrom the Depths

This thermister probe was found to be in goodcondition with more than three years of thermalrecordings A thermal record captures loop currenttransit as corroborated by satellite imagery The eventcoincided with an increasedecrease of gas vent bubblestream activity in the vicinity of the hydrate mound

TWENTY DAYS STUDYING LIFE IN EXTREME

ENVIRONMENTS

Scientists aboard the research vessel (RV) Seward Johnson II spent twentydays in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) this summer studying the life forms andconditions in the extreme environments associated with gas hydrates andbrines As part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Life in ExtremeEnvironments project the group collected hydrate samples sediments brineand animals from four locations (two brine and two hydrate sites) in the deepwaters and seafloor of the GOM

The physical and chemical conditions of the sites approach or exceed thetolerances for life and researchers are trying to understand the life processesthat occur there Microbial life forms are of particular interest and the sampleswere subjected to extensive molecular microbiological and geochemicalassays to characterize microbial community composition and activity in brineand hydrate extreme environments The cruise was a major success in termsof sample collections despite the cancellation of seven dives because ofweather conditions and a mechanical problem

Funding for the July 2 to 22 2002 cruise was provided by NSF NationalOceanic and Atmospheric AssociationNational Undersea Research Program(NOAANURP) NOAAOcean Exploration and the US Department of EnergyNational Energy Technology Laboratory Results of the research will bepublished in six to eight months

For more information contact Dr Patricia A Sobecky atpatriciasobeckybiologygatechedu

LEXEN02 CRUISEPERSONNEL

Joseph P Montoya Ga TechPI ScientistChris Payne Ga TechTechnicianKim Rathbun Ga TechTechnicianPatricia A Sobecky Ga TechChief ScientistHeath Mills Ga TechGraduate StudentCassie Hodges Ga TechTechnicianRob Martinez Ga TechGraduate StudentSamantha B Joye UGA co-Chief ScientistMatt Erickson UGATechnicianVladimir Samarkin UGA Post-doctoral FellowBeth Orcutt UGA GraduateStudentKarin Kalentra UC SantaBarbara Graduate StudentIan MacDonald Texas AampM PIScientistDebekeauler TAMU GraduateStudentMik Vadaro TAMU GraduateStudentJohn Murray Side-scan SonarTechnicianKevin Brown Scripps ScientistMike Tryon Scripps Post-doctoral Fellow

Hydrate-Ice Worm

ALVIN EXPLORES THE JUAN DE FUCA SEAFLOOR

During late July 2002 researchers aboard the research vessel (RV) Atlantisexplored the Pacific seafloor in search of methane and methane hydrates Thearea of interest was the Juan de Fuca microplate off the coast of the PacificNorthwest of the United States and southern British Columbia Utilizing thesubmersible Alvin the scientists searched for fresh sediment samples fromanaerobic methane oxidation (AMO) marine sediment environments and ifpossible methane hydrate samples for use in laboratory-maintained bioreactorstudies of AMO

The cruise was highly successful During each of the four allotted Alvin divesscientists observed active methane vents and expansive fields of microbialmats and clams which are bioindicators of AMO Large numbers of push-coresediment samples were taken from which subcores were prepared for pore fluidchemistry methane (and higher hydrocarbons) measurements microbiologymolecular biology and the bioreactor inoculum an apparatus containing amedium for growing organisms One sample of each core was archived

The scientists were also able to produce gas hydrate in situ by holding aninverted Plexiglas collection chamber over an actively venting cold seep Thesample gas was recovered using a pressure-retaining sampler and will be usedfor subsequent chemical and isotopic studies A grid of Nisken seawatersamples for water column measurements of methane concentration andisotope ratios and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was also collected Coldseep plumes were sampled for gas chemistry and isotopic compositions

Results of the experimental laboratory work will be published in approximately12 months Funding for this project was provided by the National ScienceFoundation For more information contact Dr Miriam Kastner atjrs_kastnerodpemailtamuedu

SCIENTISTS ON THECRUISE

Miriam Kastner ChiefScientist University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOGretchen RobertsonUniversity of California SanDiego SIOWei-Wei University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOChristian Solem University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOEvan Solomon University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTabitha Hensley University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOPatrick Rafter University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOJoseph Bone volunteerChelsea Richardson volunteerNicolas Grijalva y OrtizCICESE academic observerDoug Bartlett University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTessa Hill University ofCalifornia Santa BarbaraMr George D Wardlaw IIIUniversity of California SanDiego SIODr David Valentine Universityof California San Diego SIOMs Alexandra ElizabethPurdy University of CaliforniaSan Diego SIODr David Ridgway BoonePortland State UniversityMs Melissa Mary KendallPortland State University

Research Vessel (RV) Atlantis

GERMAN RESEARCHERS STUDY HYDRATE RIDGE

ABOARD THE RV SONNE

The research vessel (RV) Sonne carrying a crew of German scientistscruised the Pacific Ocean for two months last summer collecting data to betterunderstand gas hydrates in the geosystem The SO165 OTEGA cruise was ajoint expedition of LOTUS1 and OMEGA2 (specializing in marine gas hydratesprojects in the Pacific subduction zone) and MUMM3 (specializing inmicroorganisms and their turnover rates in gas hydrate-bearing sediments)

The Sonne followed in the footsteps of the RV JOIDES Resolution exploringthe hydrate province located off the shore of Oregon During Leg 1 the area ofHydrate Ridge was mapped along a dense grid with a high resolution side-scansonar which allowed a resolution of decimeters to centimeters Long-termbenthic observatories were deployed to monitor mechanisms that control theformation and dissociation of gas hydrates over longer periods of time to moreaccurately reflect natural conditions Scientists are also interested ininvestigating biological turnover and the occurrence of benthic organismsassociated with hydrates the geochemical character of sediments and thecomposition and concentration of gases in the hydrates

Leg 2 focused on sampling and processing the gas hydrates Scientists testeda newly developed MultiAutoclavCorer (MAC) which allows the preservation ofsediment cores under in-situ pressures This technology allows hydrates to bepreserved within the sediment structure and will permit the internal structure ofthe hydrates to be imaged through computer tomography Another new technologya SwordFish system developed by Christian Situ of Vancouver Canada wasused to determine the physical properties of sediment containing gas hydrate

Funding for the cruise was solely provided by the German Ministry ofEducation and Research under the topic Geotechnologies The cruise reportwill appear in approximately two months and will be available from GeomarInitial results in international journals will appear next year

More information is available at httpwwwgashydratedeprojekteomegaotega

1Langzeit-Observatorien zur Untersuchung der Steuermechanismen bei der Bildung undRuumlckbildung von Gashydraten (Collaborative Research Project on Marine Gas Hydrates)

2Oberflaumlchennahe Marine Gashydrate

3Methan in Marinen Gashydrathaltigen Sedimenten ndash Umsatzraten und Microorganismen(Methane in Gas Hydrate Bearing Sediments ndash Turnover Rates and Microorganisms)

Photos courtesy of the GEOMARResearch Center Germany

Benthic Long-Term Observatory

Deep-Towed Side-Scan Sonar and Sub-Bottom Profiler

Unlike any US research vessel the Marion Dufresne has an unobstructedstarboard main deck where IPEVrsquos ldquoCalypsordquo corer is deployed and recoveredDuring the 17-day cruise the piston-coring system collected 17 cores someas long as 125 feet (38 meters) under the direction of the chief of operationsYvon Balut (IPEV) USGS scientists also collected 17 deep (46 to 69 feet or 4to 21 meters) heat-flow profiles near the piston-core sites The scientists foundthat widely varying geothermal gradients exist across the northern GOM Thisobservation will help define the sub-bottom extent of gas-hydrate stability

Cores were taken from the Tunica Mound Bush Hill and the east and westflanks of the Mississippi Canyon Gas hydrates were recovered in four differentcores at a maximum depth of about 27 feet (8 meters) below the seafloor Thehydrates in one core were disseminated within fine-grained sedimentassociated with the presence of nearby hydrocarbons In another corehydrates formed massive veins that filled the entire cross section of the coreliner These samples imply that continuous layers of gas hydrates of someunknown lateral extent exist

As gas and oil exploration and production move into deeper watermdashwherehydrate mounds are found and where hydrates are stable in the sedimentsmdashthe potential hazards of drilling increase Preliminary results confirm theexistence of gas hydrates in the sub-bottom in the vicinity of the ventsalthough their presence is not common in the adjacent sedimentary basinsThe scientists will use geochemical analyses physical properties andbiological associations to study the pore water and gas samples Results willalso be correlated with seismic records to assess the potential for using suchrecords to locate sub-seafloor gas hydrates

For more information on the RV Marion Dufresne cruise contact DeborahHutchinson at dhutchinsonusgsgov 508-457-2263 or Bill Gwilliam atwgwillnetldoegov (304) 285-4401

Gas Hydrate Chunks Recovered From a Giant Piston Core

RV Marion Dufresne

GULF OF MEXICO HYDRATE RESEARCH

CONSORTIUM CRUISE LOCATES NEW HYDRATE

SITE TESTS PORE-WATER SAMPLER AND

RECOVERS SEAFLOOR PROBE

Researchers aboard the cruise ship research vessel (RV) Seward Johnsonand the submersible Johnson Sea-Link collected valuable gas hydrate dataduring dives conducted from May 28 through June 5 2002 The cruise wasdedicated to studying the near-seafloor hydrocarbon system within the hydratestability zone of the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and specifically at locationsin the Green Mississippi and Desoto canyons Mother Nature favored themwith perfect weather and sea conditions yielding 14 successful dives

The primary research team was composed of scientists from the GOMHydrates Research Consortium (HRC) The consortium is part of the Center forMarine Resources and Environmental Technology (CMRET) at the University ofMississippi and is supported by the Mineral Management Service (MMS) theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and theDepartment of Energyrsquos National Energy Technology Laboratory Members arefrom academia federal institutions and the US Navy Dive planning andselection of study locations were based on information from proprietary dataprovided by MMS represented by Jesse Hunt The HRC site selection teamconsisted of Harry Roberts and Roger Sassen JR (Bob) Woolsey and TomMcGee of the CMRET had overall responsibility for the DOE leg of the cruise

New Hydrate Site The huge amount of data accumulated from the cruise isnow being analyzed Scientists collected samples of vent gas and gashydrates from a newly discovered gas hydrate mound in the deeper water ofthe Mississippi Canyon making this the easternmost gas hydrate site

The Research Crew for the Johnson Sea Link Cruise Sponsored by the Gulf of Mexico HydrateResearch Consortium

identified in the GOM Salt Basin Preliminary data show that the molecularproperties of the gas hydrates are unusual because the main hydrocarbonsare methane and ethane Only trace amounts of other hydrocarbons werepresent Little is known about the occurrence or origin of natural methane-ethane gas hydrates so the newly discovered mound is a significant find

Pore-Water Sampler A new in-situ pressurized pore-water sampler wasdeployed and successfully tested Developed by the Florida State University(FSU)University of North Carolina (UNC) geochemistry group the sampler cancollect interstitial water samples at various depths and deliver the samples tothe surface without degassing The samples collected during the cruise yieldedthe highest dissolved hydrocarbon concentrations thus far reported for a gashydrate environment FSUUNC researchers are attempting to determine therelative importance of petroleum and dissolved methane in supporting microbialrespiration

Seafloor Probe Researchers succeeded in recovering a 33-foot (1-meter)long seafloor temperature probe that had been in place at a depth of 1870 feet(570 meters) for more than three years The data recorded by the probe wasstill intact and suggests transient thermal effects of a significant loop currentover a period of several months Satellite remote sensing data and otherevidence seem to corroborate the existence of this loop current If verified loopcurrents perturb the temperature of seafloor sediments in deeper water thanpreviously supposed

Other Studies The Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group at TexasAampM University is analyzing light hydrocarbon gases and gas hydratesparticularly the molecular distribution (methane through propane) of gases thatvent naturally from the seafloor to the water column The composition of thevent gas controls the crystal structure of gas hydrates and is an indicator ofthe gas hydrate origin Scientists at the National Center for Natural ProductsResearch at the University of Mississippi are analyzing biological samples andhave begun isolating specific microorganisms The microbes will be extractedand filtered through biomedical screens that include antimicrobial anticancerand antiviral targets The ecological role of these microbes will also beexamined and biosurfactants produced by several of the more characteristicmicrobial communities (eg vent sites hydrate outcrops) will be collected andseparated for further studies

For more information on the DOE segment of the cruise contact J RobertWoolsey at instmmriolemissedu (662) 915-7320 or Joseph Renk atJosephRenknetldoegov (412) 386-6406

Dr Bob Woolsey admires the FSUUNCin-situ pressurized pore-water sampler

Johnson Sea-Link SubmersibleReady for Pickup

Dr Harry Roberts BackFrom the Depths

This thermister probe was found to be in goodcondition with more than three years of thermalrecordings A thermal record captures loop currenttransit as corroborated by satellite imagery The eventcoincided with an increasedecrease of gas vent bubblestream activity in the vicinity of the hydrate mound

TWENTY DAYS STUDYING LIFE IN EXTREME

ENVIRONMENTS

Scientists aboard the research vessel (RV) Seward Johnson II spent twentydays in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) this summer studying the life forms andconditions in the extreme environments associated with gas hydrates andbrines As part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Life in ExtremeEnvironments project the group collected hydrate samples sediments brineand animals from four locations (two brine and two hydrate sites) in the deepwaters and seafloor of the GOM

The physical and chemical conditions of the sites approach or exceed thetolerances for life and researchers are trying to understand the life processesthat occur there Microbial life forms are of particular interest and the sampleswere subjected to extensive molecular microbiological and geochemicalassays to characterize microbial community composition and activity in brineand hydrate extreme environments The cruise was a major success in termsof sample collections despite the cancellation of seven dives because ofweather conditions and a mechanical problem

Funding for the July 2 to 22 2002 cruise was provided by NSF NationalOceanic and Atmospheric AssociationNational Undersea Research Program(NOAANURP) NOAAOcean Exploration and the US Department of EnergyNational Energy Technology Laboratory Results of the research will bepublished in six to eight months

For more information contact Dr Patricia A Sobecky atpatriciasobeckybiologygatechedu

LEXEN02 CRUISEPERSONNEL

Joseph P Montoya Ga TechPI ScientistChris Payne Ga TechTechnicianKim Rathbun Ga TechTechnicianPatricia A Sobecky Ga TechChief ScientistHeath Mills Ga TechGraduate StudentCassie Hodges Ga TechTechnicianRob Martinez Ga TechGraduate StudentSamantha B Joye UGA co-Chief ScientistMatt Erickson UGATechnicianVladimir Samarkin UGA Post-doctoral FellowBeth Orcutt UGA GraduateStudentKarin Kalentra UC SantaBarbara Graduate StudentIan MacDonald Texas AampM PIScientistDebekeauler TAMU GraduateStudentMik Vadaro TAMU GraduateStudentJohn Murray Side-scan SonarTechnicianKevin Brown Scripps ScientistMike Tryon Scripps Post-doctoral Fellow

Hydrate-Ice Worm

ALVIN EXPLORES THE JUAN DE FUCA SEAFLOOR

During late July 2002 researchers aboard the research vessel (RV) Atlantisexplored the Pacific seafloor in search of methane and methane hydrates Thearea of interest was the Juan de Fuca microplate off the coast of the PacificNorthwest of the United States and southern British Columbia Utilizing thesubmersible Alvin the scientists searched for fresh sediment samples fromanaerobic methane oxidation (AMO) marine sediment environments and ifpossible methane hydrate samples for use in laboratory-maintained bioreactorstudies of AMO

The cruise was highly successful During each of the four allotted Alvin divesscientists observed active methane vents and expansive fields of microbialmats and clams which are bioindicators of AMO Large numbers of push-coresediment samples were taken from which subcores were prepared for pore fluidchemistry methane (and higher hydrocarbons) measurements microbiologymolecular biology and the bioreactor inoculum an apparatus containing amedium for growing organisms One sample of each core was archived

The scientists were also able to produce gas hydrate in situ by holding aninverted Plexiglas collection chamber over an actively venting cold seep Thesample gas was recovered using a pressure-retaining sampler and will be usedfor subsequent chemical and isotopic studies A grid of Nisken seawatersamples for water column measurements of methane concentration andisotope ratios and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was also collected Coldseep plumes were sampled for gas chemistry and isotopic compositions

Results of the experimental laboratory work will be published in approximately12 months Funding for this project was provided by the National ScienceFoundation For more information contact Dr Miriam Kastner atjrs_kastnerodpemailtamuedu

SCIENTISTS ON THECRUISE

Miriam Kastner ChiefScientist University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOGretchen RobertsonUniversity of California SanDiego SIOWei-Wei University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOChristian Solem University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOEvan Solomon University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTabitha Hensley University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOPatrick Rafter University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOJoseph Bone volunteerChelsea Richardson volunteerNicolas Grijalva y OrtizCICESE academic observerDoug Bartlett University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTessa Hill University ofCalifornia Santa BarbaraMr George D Wardlaw IIIUniversity of California SanDiego SIODr David Valentine Universityof California San Diego SIOMs Alexandra ElizabethPurdy University of CaliforniaSan Diego SIODr David Ridgway BoonePortland State UniversityMs Melissa Mary KendallPortland State University

Research Vessel (RV) Atlantis

GERMAN RESEARCHERS STUDY HYDRATE RIDGE

ABOARD THE RV SONNE

The research vessel (RV) Sonne carrying a crew of German scientistscruised the Pacific Ocean for two months last summer collecting data to betterunderstand gas hydrates in the geosystem The SO165 OTEGA cruise was ajoint expedition of LOTUS1 and OMEGA2 (specializing in marine gas hydratesprojects in the Pacific subduction zone) and MUMM3 (specializing inmicroorganisms and their turnover rates in gas hydrate-bearing sediments)

The Sonne followed in the footsteps of the RV JOIDES Resolution exploringthe hydrate province located off the shore of Oregon During Leg 1 the area ofHydrate Ridge was mapped along a dense grid with a high resolution side-scansonar which allowed a resolution of decimeters to centimeters Long-termbenthic observatories were deployed to monitor mechanisms that control theformation and dissociation of gas hydrates over longer periods of time to moreaccurately reflect natural conditions Scientists are also interested ininvestigating biological turnover and the occurrence of benthic organismsassociated with hydrates the geochemical character of sediments and thecomposition and concentration of gases in the hydrates

Leg 2 focused on sampling and processing the gas hydrates Scientists testeda newly developed MultiAutoclavCorer (MAC) which allows the preservation ofsediment cores under in-situ pressures This technology allows hydrates to bepreserved within the sediment structure and will permit the internal structure ofthe hydrates to be imaged through computer tomography Another new technologya SwordFish system developed by Christian Situ of Vancouver Canada wasused to determine the physical properties of sediment containing gas hydrate

Funding for the cruise was solely provided by the German Ministry ofEducation and Research under the topic Geotechnologies The cruise reportwill appear in approximately two months and will be available from GeomarInitial results in international journals will appear next year

More information is available at httpwwwgashydratedeprojekteomegaotega

1Langzeit-Observatorien zur Untersuchung der Steuermechanismen bei der Bildung undRuumlckbildung von Gashydraten (Collaborative Research Project on Marine Gas Hydrates)

2Oberflaumlchennahe Marine Gashydrate

3Methan in Marinen Gashydrathaltigen Sedimenten ndash Umsatzraten und Microorganismen(Methane in Gas Hydrate Bearing Sediments ndash Turnover Rates and Microorganisms)

Photos courtesy of the GEOMARResearch Center Germany

Benthic Long-Term Observatory

Deep-Towed Side-Scan Sonar and Sub-Bottom Profiler

GULF OF MEXICO HYDRATE RESEARCH

CONSORTIUM CRUISE LOCATES NEW HYDRATE

SITE TESTS PORE-WATER SAMPLER AND

RECOVERS SEAFLOOR PROBE

Researchers aboard the cruise ship research vessel (RV) Seward Johnsonand the submersible Johnson Sea-Link collected valuable gas hydrate dataduring dives conducted from May 28 through June 5 2002 The cruise wasdedicated to studying the near-seafloor hydrocarbon system within the hydratestability zone of the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and specifically at locationsin the Green Mississippi and Desoto canyons Mother Nature favored themwith perfect weather and sea conditions yielding 14 successful dives

The primary research team was composed of scientists from the GOMHydrates Research Consortium (HRC) The consortium is part of the Center forMarine Resources and Environmental Technology (CMRET) at the University ofMississippi and is supported by the Mineral Management Service (MMS) theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and theDepartment of Energyrsquos National Energy Technology Laboratory Members arefrom academia federal institutions and the US Navy Dive planning andselection of study locations were based on information from proprietary dataprovided by MMS represented by Jesse Hunt The HRC site selection teamconsisted of Harry Roberts and Roger Sassen JR (Bob) Woolsey and TomMcGee of the CMRET had overall responsibility for the DOE leg of the cruise

New Hydrate Site The huge amount of data accumulated from the cruise isnow being analyzed Scientists collected samples of vent gas and gashydrates from a newly discovered gas hydrate mound in the deeper water ofthe Mississippi Canyon making this the easternmost gas hydrate site

The Research Crew for the Johnson Sea Link Cruise Sponsored by the Gulf of Mexico HydrateResearch Consortium

identified in the GOM Salt Basin Preliminary data show that the molecularproperties of the gas hydrates are unusual because the main hydrocarbonsare methane and ethane Only trace amounts of other hydrocarbons werepresent Little is known about the occurrence or origin of natural methane-ethane gas hydrates so the newly discovered mound is a significant find

Pore-Water Sampler A new in-situ pressurized pore-water sampler wasdeployed and successfully tested Developed by the Florida State University(FSU)University of North Carolina (UNC) geochemistry group the sampler cancollect interstitial water samples at various depths and deliver the samples tothe surface without degassing The samples collected during the cruise yieldedthe highest dissolved hydrocarbon concentrations thus far reported for a gashydrate environment FSUUNC researchers are attempting to determine therelative importance of petroleum and dissolved methane in supporting microbialrespiration

Seafloor Probe Researchers succeeded in recovering a 33-foot (1-meter)long seafloor temperature probe that had been in place at a depth of 1870 feet(570 meters) for more than three years The data recorded by the probe wasstill intact and suggests transient thermal effects of a significant loop currentover a period of several months Satellite remote sensing data and otherevidence seem to corroborate the existence of this loop current If verified loopcurrents perturb the temperature of seafloor sediments in deeper water thanpreviously supposed

Other Studies The Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group at TexasAampM University is analyzing light hydrocarbon gases and gas hydratesparticularly the molecular distribution (methane through propane) of gases thatvent naturally from the seafloor to the water column The composition of thevent gas controls the crystal structure of gas hydrates and is an indicator ofthe gas hydrate origin Scientists at the National Center for Natural ProductsResearch at the University of Mississippi are analyzing biological samples andhave begun isolating specific microorganisms The microbes will be extractedand filtered through biomedical screens that include antimicrobial anticancerand antiviral targets The ecological role of these microbes will also beexamined and biosurfactants produced by several of the more characteristicmicrobial communities (eg vent sites hydrate outcrops) will be collected andseparated for further studies

For more information on the DOE segment of the cruise contact J RobertWoolsey at instmmriolemissedu (662) 915-7320 or Joseph Renk atJosephRenknetldoegov (412) 386-6406

Dr Bob Woolsey admires the FSUUNCin-situ pressurized pore-water sampler

Johnson Sea-Link SubmersibleReady for Pickup

Dr Harry Roberts BackFrom the Depths

This thermister probe was found to be in goodcondition with more than three years of thermalrecordings A thermal record captures loop currenttransit as corroborated by satellite imagery The eventcoincided with an increasedecrease of gas vent bubblestream activity in the vicinity of the hydrate mound

TWENTY DAYS STUDYING LIFE IN EXTREME

ENVIRONMENTS

Scientists aboard the research vessel (RV) Seward Johnson II spent twentydays in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) this summer studying the life forms andconditions in the extreme environments associated with gas hydrates andbrines As part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Life in ExtremeEnvironments project the group collected hydrate samples sediments brineand animals from four locations (two brine and two hydrate sites) in the deepwaters and seafloor of the GOM

The physical and chemical conditions of the sites approach or exceed thetolerances for life and researchers are trying to understand the life processesthat occur there Microbial life forms are of particular interest and the sampleswere subjected to extensive molecular microbiological and geochemicalassays to characterize microbial community composition and activity in brineand hydrate extreme environments The cruise was a major success in termsof sample collections despite the cancellation of seven dives because ofweather conditions and a mechanical problem

Funding for the July 2 to 22 2002 cruise was provided by NSF NationalOceanic and Atmospheric AssociationNational Undersea Research Program(NOAANURP) NOAAOcean Exploration and the US Department of EnergyNational Energy Technology Laboratory Results of the research will bepublished in six to eight months

For more information contact Dr Patricia A Sobecky atpatriciasobeckybiologygatechedu

LEXEN02 CRUISEPERSONNEL

Joseph P Montoya Ga TechPI ScientistChris Payne Ga TechTechnicianKim Rathbun Ga TechTechnicianPatricia A Sobecky Ga TechChief ScientistHeath Mills Ga TechGraduate StudentCassie Hodges Ga TechTechnicianRob Martinez Ga TechGraduate StudentSamantha B Joye UGA co-Chief ScientistMatt Erickson UGATechnicianVladimir Samarkin UGA Post-doctoral FellowBeth Orcutt UGA GraduateStudentKarin Kalentra UC SantaBarbara Graduate StudentIan MacDonald Texas AampM PIScientistDebekeauler TAMU GraduateStudentMik Vadaro TAMU GraduateStudentJohn Murray Side-scan SonarTechnicianKevin Brown Scripps ScientistMike Tryon Scripps Post-doctoral Fellow

Hydrate-Ice Worm

ALVIN EXPLORES THE JUAN DE FUCA SEAFLOOR

During late July 2002 researchers aboard the research vessel (RV) Atlantisexplored the Pacific seafloor in search of methane and methane hydrates Thearea of interest was the Juan de Fuca microplate off the coast of the PacificNorthwest of the United States and southern British Columbia Utilizing thesubmersible Alvin the scientists searched for fresh sediment samples fromanaerobic methane oxidation (AMO) marine sediment environments and ifpossible methane hydrate samples for use in laboratory-maintained bioreactorstudies of AMO

The cruise was highly successful During each of the four allotted Alvin divesscientists observed active methane vents and expansive fields of microbialmats and clams which are bioindicators of AMO Large numbers of push-coresediment samples were taken from which subcores were prepared for pore fluidchemistry methane (and higher hydrocarbons) measurements microbiologymolecular biology and the bioreactor inoculum an apparatus containing amedium for growing organisms One sample of each core was archived

The scientists were also able to produce gas hydrate in situ by holding aninverted Plexiglas collection chamber over an actively venting cold seep Thesample gas was recovered using a pressure-retaining sampler and will be usedfor subsequent chemical and isotopic studies A grid of Nisken seawatersamples for water column measurements of methane concentration andisotope ratios and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was also collected Coldseep plumes were sampled for gas chemistry and isotopic compositions

Results of the experimental laboratory work will be published in approximately12 months Funding for this project was provided by the National ScienceFoundation For more information contact Dr Miriam Kastner atjrs_kastnerodpemailtamuedu

SCIENTISTS ON THECRUISE

Miriam Kastner ChiefScientist University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOGretchen RobertsonUniversity of California SanDiego SIOWei-Wei University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOChristian Solem University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOEvan Solomon University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTabitha Hensley University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOPatrick Rafter University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOJoseph Bone volunteerChelsea Richardson volunteerNicolas Grijalva y OrtizCICESE academic observerDoug Bartlett University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTessa Hill University ofCalifornia Santa BarbaraMr George D Wardlaw IIIUniversity of California SanDiego SIODr David Valentine Universityof California San Diego SIOMs Alexandra ElizabethPurdy University of CaliforniaSan Diego SIODr David Ridgway BoonePortland State UniversityMs Melissa Mary KendallPortland State University

Research Vessel (RV) Atlantis

GERMAN RESEARCHERS STUDY HYDRATE RIDGE

ABOARD THE RV SONNE

The research vessel (RV) Sonne carrying a crew of German scientistscruised the Pacific Ocean for two months last summer collecting data to betterunderstand gas hydrates in the geosystem The SO165 OTEGA cruise was ajoint expedition of LOTUS1 and OMEGA2 (specializing in marine gas hydratesprojects in the Pacific subduction zone) and MUMM3 (specializing inmicroorganisms and their turnover rates in gas hydrate-bearing sediments)

The Sonne followed in the footsteps of the RV JOIDES Resolution exploringthe hydrate province located off the shore of Oregon During Leg 1 the area ofHydrate Ridge was mapped along a dense grid with a high resolution side-scansonar which allowed a resolution of decimeters to centimeters Long-termbenthic observatories were deployed to monitor mechanisms that control theformation and dissociation of gas hydrates over longer periods of time to moreaccurately reflect natural conditions Scientists are also interested ininvestigating biological turnover and the occurrence of benthic organismsassociated with hydrates the geochemical character of sediments and thecomposition and concentration of gases in the hydrates

Leg 2 focused on sampling and processing the gas hydrates Scientists testeda newly developed MultiAutoclavCorer (MAC) which allows the preservation ofsediment cores under in-situ pressures This technology allows hydrates to bepreserved within the sediment structure and will permit the internal structure ofthe hydrates to be imaged through computer tomography Another new technologya SwordFish system developed by Christian Situ of Vancouver Canada wasused to determine the physical properties of sediment containing gas hydrate

Funding for the cruise was solely provided by the German Ministry ofEducation and Research under the topic Geotechnologies The cruise reportwill appear in approximately two months and will be available from GeomarInitial results in international journals will appear next year

More information is available at httpwwwgashydratedeprojekteomegaotega

1Langzeit-Observatorien zur Untersuchung der Steuermechanismen bei der Bildung undRuumlckbildung von Gashydraten (Collaborative Research Project on Marine Gas Hydrates)

2Oberflaumlchennahe Marine Gashydrate

3Methan in Marinen Gashydrathaltigen Sedimenten ndash Umsatzraten und Microorganismen(Methane in Gas Hydrate Bearing Sediments ndash Turnover Rates and Microorganisms)

Photos courtesy of the GEOMARResearch Center Germany

Benthic Long-Term Observatory

Deep-Towed Side-Scan Sonar and Sub-Bottom Profiler

identified in the GOM Salt Basin Preliminary data show that the molecularproperties of the gas hydrates are unusual because the main hydrocarbonsare methane and ethane Only trace amounts of other hydrocarbons werepresent Little is known about the occurrence or origin of natural methane-ethane gas hydrates so the newly discovered mound is a significant find

Pore-Water Sampler A new in-situ pressurized pore-water sampler wasdeployed and successfully tested Developed by the Florida State University(FSU)University of North Carolina (UNC) geochemistry group the sampler cancollect interstitial water samples at various depths and deliver the samples tothe surface without degassing The samples collected during the cruise yieldedthe highest dissolved hydrocarbon concentrations thus far reported for a gashydrate environment FSUUNC researchers are attempting to determine therelative importance of petroleum and dissolved methane in supporting microbialrespiration

Seafloor Probe Researchers succeeded in recovering a 33-foot (1-meter)long seafloor temperature probe that had been in place at a depth of 1870 feet(570 meters) for more than three years The data recorded by the probe wasstill intact and suggests transient thermal effects of a significant loop currentover a period of several months Satellite remote sensing data and otherevidence seem to corroborate the existence of this loop current If verified loopcurrents perturb the temperature of seafloor sediments in deeper water thanpreviously supposed

Other Studies The Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group at TexasAampM University is analyzing light hydrocarbon gases and gas hydratesparticularly the molecular distribution (methane through propane) of gases thatvent naturally from the seafloor to the water column The composition of thevent gas controls the crystal structure of gas hydrates and is an indicator ofthe gas hydrate origin Scientists at the National Center for Natural ProductsResearch at the University of Mississippi are analyzing biological samples andhave begun isolating specific microorganisms The microbes will be extractedand filtered through biomedical screens that include antimicrobial anticancerand antiviral targets The ecological role of these microbes will also beexamined and biosurfactants produced by several of the more characteristicmicrobial communities (eg vent sites hydrate outcrops) will be collected andseparated for further studies

For more information on the DOE segment of the cruise contact J RobertWoolsey at instmmriolemissedu (662) 915-7320 or Joseph Renk atJosephRenknetldoegov (412) 386-6406

Dr Bob Woolsey admires the FSUUNCin-situ pressurized pore-water sampler

Johnson Sea-Link SubmersibleReady for Pickup

Dr Harry Roberts BackFrom the Depths

This thermister probe was found to be in goodcondition with more than three years of thermalrecordings A thermal record captures loop currenttransit as corroborated by satellite imagery The eventcoincided with an increasedecrease of gas vent bubblestream activity in the vicinity of the hydrate mound

TWENTY DAYS STUDYING LIFE IN EXTREME

ENVIRONMENTS

Scientists aboard the research vessel (RV) Seward Johnson II spent twentydays in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) this summer studying the life forms andconditions in the extreme environments associated with gas hydrates andbrines As part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Life in ExtremeEnvironments project the group collected hydrate samples sediments brineand animals from four locations (two brine and two hydrate sites) in the deepwaters and seafloor of the GOM

The physical and chemical conditions of the sites approach or exceed thetolerances for life and researchers are trying to understand the life processesthat occur there Microbial life forms are of particular interest and the sampleswere subjected to extensive molecular microbiological and geochemicalassays to characterize microbial community composition and activity in brineand hydrate extreme environments The cruise was a major success in termsof sample collections despite the cancellation of seven dives because ofweather conditions and a mechanical problem

Funding for the July 2 to 22 2002 cruise was provided by NSF NationalOceanic and Atmospheric AssociationNational Undersea Research Program(NOAANURP) NOAAOcean Exploration and the US Department of EnergyNational Energy Technology Laboratory Results of the research will bepublished in six to eight months

For more information contact Dr Patricia A Sobecky atpatriciasobeckybiologygatechedu

LEXEN02 CRUISEPERSONNEL

Joseph P Montoya Ga TechPI ScientistChris Payne Ga TechTechnicianKim Rathbun Ga TechTechnicianPatricia A Sobecky Ga TechChief ScientistHeath Mills Ga TechGraduate StudentCassie Hodges Ga TechTechnicianRob Martinez Ga TechGraduate StudentSamantha B Joye UGA co-Chief ScientistMatt Erickson UGATechnicianVladimir Samarkin UGA Post-doctoral FellowBeth Orcutt UGA GraduateStudentKarin Kalentra UC SantaBarbara Graduate StudentIan MacDonald Texas AampM PIScientistDebekeauler TAMU GraduateStudentMik Vadaro TAMU GraduateStudentJohn Murray Side-scan SonarTechnicianKevin Brown Scripps ScientistMike Tryon Scripps Post-doctoral Fellow

Hydrate-Ice Worm

ALVIN EXPLORES THE JUAN DE FUCA SEAFLOOR

During late July 2002 researchers aboard the research vessel (RV) Atlantisexplored the Pacific seafloor in search of methane and methane hydrates Thearea of interest was the Juan de Fuca microplate off the coast of the PacificNorthwest of the United States and southern British Columbia Utilizing thesubmersible Alvin the scientists searched for fresh sediment samples fromanaerobic methane oxidation (AMO) marine sediment environments and ifpossible methane hydrate samples for use in laboratory-maintained bioreactorstudies of AMO

The cruise was highly successful During each of the four allotted Alvin divesscientists observed active methane vents and expansive fields of microbialmats and clams which are bioindicators of AMO Large numbers of push-coresediment samples were taken from which subcores were prepared for pore fluidchemistry methane (and higher hydrocarbons) measurements microbiologymolecular biology and the bioreactor inoculum an apparatus containing amedium for growing organisms One sample of each core was archived

The scientists were also able to produce gas hydrate in situ by holding aninverted Plexiglas collection chamber over an actively venting cold seep Thesample gas was recovered using a pressure-retaining sampler and will be usedfor subsequent chemical and isotopic studies A grid of Nisken seawatersamples for water column measurements of methane concentration andisotope ratios and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was also collected Coldseep plumes were sampled for gas chemistry and isotopic compositions

Results of the experimental laboratory work will be published in approximately12 months Funding for this project was provided by the National ScienceFoundation For more information contact Dr Miriam Kastner atjrs_kastnerodpemailtamuedu

SCIENTISTS ON THECRUISE

Miriam Kastner ChiefScientist University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOGretchen RobertsonUniversity of California SanDiego SIOWei-Wei University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOChristian Solem University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOEvan Solomon University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTabitha Hensley University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOPatrick Rafter University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOJoseph Bone volunteerChelsea Richardson volunteerNicolas Grijalva y OrtizCICESE academic observerDoug Bartlett University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTessa Hill University ofCalifornia Santa BarbaraMr George D Wardlaw IIIUniversity of California SanDiego SIODr David Valentine Universityof California San Diego SIOMs Alexandra ElizabethPurdy University of CaliforniaSan Diego SIODr David Ridgway BoonePortland State UniversityMs Melissa Mary KendallPortland State University

Research Vessel (RV) Atlantis

GERMAN RESEARCHERS STUDY HYDRATE RIDGE

ABOARD THE RV SONNE

The research vessel (RV) Sonne carrying a crew of German scientistscruised the Pacific Ocean for two months last summer collecting data to betterunderstand gas hydrates in the geosystem The SO165 OTEGA cruise was ajoint expedition of LOTUS1 and OMEGA2 (specializing in marine gas hydratesprojects in the Pacific subduction zone) and MUMM3 (specializing inmicroorganisms and their turnover rates in gas hydrate-bearing sediments)

The Sonne followed in the footsteps of the RV JOIDES Resolution exploringthe hydrate province located off the shore of Oregon During Leg 1 the area ofHydrate Ridge was mapped along a dense grid with a high resolution side-scansonar which allowed a resolution of decimeters to centimeters Long-termbenthic observatories were deployed to monitor mechanisms that control theformation and dissociation of gas hydrates over longer periods of time to moreaccurately reflect natural conditions Scientists are also interested ininvestigating biological turnover and the occurrence of benthic organismsassociated with hydrates the geochemical character of sediments and thecomposition and concentration of gases in the hydrates

Leg 2 focused on sampling and processing the gas hydrates Scientists testeda newly developed MultiAutoclavCorer (MAC) which allows the preservation ofsediment cores under in-situ pressures This technology allows hydrates to bepreserved within the sediment structure and will permit the internal structure ofthe hydrates to be imaged through computer tomography Another new technologya SwordFish system developed by Christian Situ of Vancouver Canada wasused to determine the physical properties of sediment containing gas hydrate

Funding for the cruise was solely provided by the German Ministry ofEducation and Research under the topic Geotechnologies The cruise reportwill appear in approximately two months and will be available from GeomarInitial results in international journals will appear next year

More information is available at httpwwwgashydratedeprojekteomegaotega

1Langzeit-Observatorien zur Untersuchung der Steuermechanismen bei der Bildung undRuumlckbildung von Gashydraten (Collaborative Research Project on Marine Gas Hydrates)

2Oberflaumlchennahe Marine Gashydrate

3Methan in Marinen Gashydrathaltigen Sedimenten ndash Umsatzraten und Microorganismen(Methane in Gas Hydrate Bearing Sediments ndash Turnover Rates and Microorganisms)

Photos courtesy of the GEOMARResearch Center Germany

Benthic Long-Term Observatory

Deep-Towed Side-Scan Sonar and Sub-Bottom Profiler

TWENTY DAYS STUDYING LIFE IN EXTREME

ENVIRONMENTS

Scientists aboard the research vessel (RV) Seward Johnson II spent twentydays in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) this summer studying the life forms andconditions in the extreme environments associated with gas hydrates andbrines As part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Life in ExtremeEnvironments project the group collected hydrate samples sediments brineand animals from four locations (two brine and two hydrate sites) in the deepwaters and seafloor of the GOM

The physical and chemical conditions of the sites approach or exceed thetolerances for life and researchers are trying to understand the life processesthat occur there Microbial life forms are of particular interest and the sampleswere subjected to extensive molecular microbiological and geochemicalassays to characterize microbial community composition and activity in brineand hydrate extreme environments The cruise was a major success in termsof sample collections despite the cancellation of seven dives because ofweather conditions and a mechanical problem

Funding for the July 2 to 22 2002 cruise was provided by NSF NationalOceanic and Atmospheric AssociationNational Undersea Research Program(NOAANURP) NOAAOcean Exploration and the US Department of EnergyNational Energy Technology Laboratory Results of the research will bepublished in six to eight months

For more information contact Dr Patricia A Sobecky atpatriciasobeckybiologygatechedu

LEXEN02 CRUISEPERSONNEL

Joseph P Montoya Ga TechPI ScientistChris Payne Ga TechTechnicianKim Rathbun Ga TechTechnicianPatricia A Sobecky Ga TechChief ScientistHeath Mills Ga TechGraduate StudentCassie Hodges Ga TechTechnicianRob Martinez Ga TechGraduate StudentSamantha B Joye UGA co-Chief ScientistMatt Erickson UGATechnicianVladimir Samarkin UGA Post-doctoral FellowBeth Orcutt UGA GraduateStudentKarin Kalentra UC SantaBarbara Graduate StudentIan MacDonald Texas AampM PIScientistDebekeauler TAMU GraduateStudentMik Vadaro TAMU GraduateStudentJohn Murray Side-scan SonarTechnicianKevin Brown Scripps ScientistMike Tryon Scripps Post-doctoral Fellow

Hydrate-Ice Worm

ALVIN EXPLORES THE JUAN DE FUCA SEAFLOOR

During late July 2002 researchers aboard the research vessel (RV) Atlantisexplored the Pacific seafloor in search of methane and methane hydrates Thearea of interest was the Juan de Fuca microplate off the coast of the PacificNorthwest of the United States and southern British Columbia Utilizing thesubmersible Alvin the scientists searched for fresh sediment samples fromanaerobic methane oxidation (AMO) marine sediment environments and ifpossible methane hydrate samples for use in laboratory-maintained bioreactorstudies of AMO

The cruise was highly successful During each of the four allotted Alvin divesscientists observed active methane vents and expansive fields of microbialmats and clams which are bioindicators of AMO Large numbers of push-coresediment samples were taken from which subcores were prepared for pore fluidchemistry methane (and higher hydrocarbons) measurements microbiologymolecular biology and the bioreactor inoculum an apparatus containing amedium for growing organisms One sample of each core was archived

The scientists were also able to produce gas hydrate in situ by holding aninverted Plexiglas collection chamber over an actively venting cold seep Thesample gas was recovered using a pressure-retaining sampler and will be usedfor subsequent chemical and isotopic studies A grid of Nisken seawatersamples for water column measurements of methane concentration andisotope ratios and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was also collected Coldseep plumes were sampled for gas chemistry and isotopic compositions

Results of the experimental laboratory work will be published in approximately12 months Funding for this project was provided by the National ScienceFoundation For more information contact Dr Miriam Kastner atjrs_kastnerodpemailtamuedu

SCIENTISTS ON THECRUISE

Miriam Kastner ChiefScientist University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOGretchen RobertsonUniversity of California SanDiego SIOWei-Wei University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOChristian Solem University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOEvan Solomon University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTabitha Hensley University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOPatrick Rafter University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOJoseph Bone volunteerChelsea Richardson volunteerNicolas Grijalva y OrtizCICESE academic observerDoug Bartlett University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTessa Hill University ofCalifornia Santa BarbaraMr George D Wardlaw IIIUniversity of California SanDiego SIODr David Valentine Universityof California San Diego SIOMs Alexandra ElizabethPurdy University of CaliforniaSan Diego SIODr David Ridgway BoonePortland State UniversityMs Melissa Mary KendallPortland State University

Research Vessel (RV) Atlantis

GERMAN RESEARCHERS STUDY HYDRATE RIDGE

ABOARD THE RV SONNE

The research vessel (RV) Sonne carrying a crew of German scientistscruised the Pacific Ocean for two months last summer collecting data to betterunderstand gas hydrates in the geosystem The SO165 OTEGA cruise was ajoint expedition of LOTUS1 and OMEGA2 (specializing in marine gas hydratesprojects in the Pacific subduction zone) and MUMM3 (specializing inmicroorganisms and their turnover rates in gas hydrate-bearing sediments)

The Sonne followed in the footsteps of the RV JOIDES Resolution exploringthe hydrate province located off the shore of Oregon During Leg 1 the area ofHydrate Ridge was mapped along a dense grid with a high resolution side-scansonar which allowed a resolution of decimeters to centimeters Long-termbenthic observatories were deployed to monitor mechanisms that control theformation and dissociation of gas hydrates over longer periods of time to moreaccurately reflect natural conditions Scientists are also interested ininvestigating biological turnover and the occurrence of benthic organismsassociated with hydrates the geochemical character of sediments and thecomposition and concentration of gases in the hydrates

Leg 2 focused on sampling and processing the gas hydrates Scientists testeda newly developed MultiAutoclavCorer (MAC) which allows the preservation ofsediment cores under in-situ pressures This technology allows hydrates to bepreserved within the sediment structure and will permit the internal structure ofthe hydrates to be imaged through computer tomography Another new technologya SwordFish system developed by Christian Situ of Vancouver Canada wasused to determine the physical properties of sediment containing gas hydrate

Funding for the cruise was solely provided by the German Ministry ofEducation and Research under the topic Geotechnologies The cruise reportwill appear in approximately two months and will be available from GeomarInitial results in international journals will appear next year

More information is available at httpwwwgashydratedeprojekteomegaotega

1Langzeit-Observatorien zur Untersuchung der Steuermechanismen bei der Bildung undRuumlckbildung von Gashydraten (Collaborative Research Project on Marine Gas Hydrates)

2Oberflaumlchennahe Marine Gashydrate

3Methan in Marinen Gashydrathaltigen Sedimenten ndash Umsatzraten und Microorganismen(Methane in Gas Hydrate Bearing Sediments ndash Turnover Rates and Microorganisms)

Photos courtesy of the GEOMARResearch Center Germany

Benthic Long-Term Observatory

Deep-Towed Side-Scan Sonar and Sub-Bottom Profiler

ALVIN EXPLORES THE JUAN DE FUCA SEAFLOOR

During late July 2002 researchers aboard the research vessel (RV) Atlantisexplored the Pacific seafloor in search of methane and methane hydrates Thearea of interest was the Juan de Fuca microplate off the coast of the PacificNorthwest of the United States and southern British Columbia Utilizing thesubmersible Alvin the scientists searched for fresh sediment samples fromanaerobic methane oxidation (AMO) marine sediment environments and ifpossible methane hydrate samples for use in laboratory-maintained bioreactorstudies of AMO

The cruise was highly successful During each of the four allotted Alvin divesscientists observed active methane vents and expansive fields of microbialmats and clams which are bioindicators of AMO Large numbers of push-coresediment samples were taken from which subcores were prepared for pore fluidchemistry methane (and higher hydrocarbons) measurements microbiologymolecular biology and the bioreactor inoculum an apparatus containing amedium for growing organisms One sample of each core was archived

The scientists were also able to produce gas hydrate in situ by holding aninverted Plexiglas collection chamber over an actively venting cold seep Thesample gas was recovered using a pressure-retaining sampler and will be usedfor subsequent chemical and isotopic studies A grid of Nisken seawatersamples for water column measurements of methane concentration andisotope ratios and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was also collected Coldseep plumes were sampled for gas chemistry and isotopic compositions

Results of the experimental laboratory work will be published in approximately12 months Funding for this project was provided by the National ScienceFoundation For more information contact Dr Miriam Kastner atjrs_kastnerodpemailtamuedu

SCIENTISTS ON THECRUISE

Miriam Kastner ChiefScientist University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOGretchen RobertsonUniversity of California SanDiego SIOWei-Wei University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOChristian Solem University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOEvan Solomon University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTabitha Hensley University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOPatrick Rafter University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOJoseph Bone volunteerChelsea Richardson volunteerNicolas Grijalva y OrtizCICESE academic observerDoug Bartlett University ofCalifornia San Diego SIOTessa Hill University ofCalifornia Santa BarbaraMr George D Wardlaw IIIUniversity of California SanDiego SIODr David Valentine Universityof California San Diego SIOMs Alexandra ElizabethPurdy University of CaliforniaSan Diego SIODr David Ridgway BoonePortland State UniversityMs Melissa Mary KendallPortland State University

Research Vessel (RV) Atlantis

GERMAN RESEARCHERS STUDY HYDRATE RIDGE

ABOARD THE RV SONNE

The research vessel (RV) Sonne carrying a crew of German scientistscruised the Pacific Ocean for two months last summer collecting data to betterunderstand gas hydrates in the geosystem The SO165 OTEGA cruise was ajoint expedition of LOTUS1 and OMEGA2 (specializing in marine gas hydratesprojects in the Pacific subduction zone) and MUMM3 (specializing inmicroorganisms and their turnover rates in gas hydrate-bearing sediments)

The Sonne followed in the footsteps of the RV JOIDES Resolution exploringthe hydrate province located off the shore of Oregon During Leg 1 the area ofHydrate Ridge was mapped along a dense grid with a high resolution side-scansonar which allowed a resolution of decimeters to centimeters Long-termbenthic observatories were deployed to monitor mechanisms that control theformation and dissociation of gas hydrates over longer periods of time to moreaccurately reflect natural conditions Scientists are also interested ininvestigating biological turnover and the occurrence of benthic organismsassociated with hydrates the geochemical character of sediments and thecomposition and concentration of gases in the hydrates

Leg 2 focused on sampling and processing the gas hydrates Scientists testeda newly developed MultiAutoclavCorer (MAC) which allows the preservation ofsediment cores under in-situ pressures This technology allows hydrates to bepreserved within the sediment structure and will permit the internal structure ofthe hydrates to be imaged through computer tomography Another new technologya SwordFish system developed by Christian Situ of Vancouver Canada wasused to determine the physical properties of sediment containing gas hydrate

Funding for the cruise was solely provided by the German Ministry ofEducation and Research under the topic Geotechnologies The cruise reportwill appear in approximately two months and will be available from GeomarInitial results in international journals will appear next year

More information is available at httpwwwgashydratedeprojekteomegaotega

1Langzeit-Observatorien zur Untersuchung der Steuermechanismen bei der Bildung undRuumlckbildung von Gashydraten (Collaborative Research Project on Marine Gas Hydrates)

2Oberflaumlchennahe Marine Gashydrate

3Methan in Marinen Gashydrathaltigen Sedimenten ndash Umsatzraten und Microorganismen(Methane in Gas Hydrate Bearing Sediments ndash Turnover Rates and Microorganisms)

Photos courtesy of the GEOMARResearch Center Germany

Benthic Long-Term Observatory

Deep-Towed Side-Scan Sonar and Sub-Bottom Profiler

GERMAN RESEARCHERS STUDY HYDRATE RIDGE

ABOARD THE RV SONNE

The research vessel (RV) Sonne carrying a crew of German scientistscruised the Pacific Ocean for two months last summer collecting data to betterunderstand gas hydrates in the geosystem The SO165 OTEGA cruise was ajoint expedition of LOTUS1 and OMEGA2 (specializing in marine gas hydratesprojects in the Pacific subduction zone) and MUMM3 (specializing inmicroorganisms and their turnover rates in gas hydrate-bearing sediments)

The Sonne followed in the footsteps of the RV JOIDES Resolution exploringthe hydrate province located off the shore of Oregon During Leg 1 the area ofHydrate Ridge was mapped along a dense grid with a high resolution side-scansonar which allowed a resolution of decimeters to centimeters Long-termbenthic observatories were deployed to monitor mechanisms that control theformation and dissociation of gas hydrates over longer periods of time to moreaccurately reflect natural conditions Scientists are also interested ininvestigating biological turnover and the occurrence of benthic organismsassociated with hydrates the geochemical character of sediments and thecomposition and concentration of gases in the hydrates

Leg 2 focused on sampling and processing the gas hydrates Scientists testeda newly developed MultiAutoclavCorer (MAC) which allows the preservation ofsediment cores under in-situ pressures This technology allows hydrates to bepreserved within the sediment structure and will permit the internal structure ofthe hydrates to be imaged through computer tomography Another new technologya SwordFish system developed by Christian Situ of Vancouver Canada wasused to determine the physical properties of sediment containing gas hydrate

Funding for the cruise was solely provided by the German Ministry ofEducation and Research under the topic Geotechnologies The cruise reportwill appear in approximately two months and will be available from GeomarInitial results in international journals will appear next year

More information is available at httpwwwgashydratedeprojekteomegaotega

1Langzeit-Observatorien zur Untersuchung der Steuermechanismen bei der Bildung undRuumlckbildung von Gashydraten (Collaborative Research Project on Marine Gas Hydrates)

2Oberflaumlchennahe Marine Gashydrate

3Methan in Marinen Gashydrathaltigen Sedimenten ndash Umsatzraten und Microorganismen(Methane in Gas Hydrate Bearing Sediments ndash Turnover Rates and Microorganisms)

Photos courtesy of the GEOMARResearch Center Germany

Benthic Long-Term Observatory

Deep-Towed Side-Scan Sonar and Sub-Bottom Profiler

FIRST DEDICATED HYDRATE WELL IN ALASKA

SCHEDULED FOR EARLY 2003DOE and industry partners Anadarko Petroleum Corporation MaurerTechnology Incorporated and Noble Engineering and Development are makingplans to drill and core the entire hydrate stability zone in a North Slope locationsouthwest of the Kuparuk River Oil Field and adjacent to the Tarn-Cirquehydrate occurrence It will be the first dedicated hydrate well in Alaska and isintended to test the reservoir characteristics and concentrations of hydrates inthe North Slope hydrate resource

The 3500-foot (1000-meter) well is scheduled to be spudded in early March2003 It will deploy the latest Arctic technology including Anadarkorsquos ArcticPlatform a modular raised platform that is anchored into the permafrost and aspecialized Mobile Core Characterization System designed for measuring andtesting core samples on site Also making its debut is a new system fromNoble Engineering and Development called Drill Smart that will allow monitoringof the entire operation and transmission of the live data to Houston The well will bedrilled and cored with a hard-rock mining rig to allow continuous coring through thehydrate stability zone The rig will collect a 345-inch (9-centimeter) core withcasing placed downhole and blowout prevention equipment installed at the surfaceHighly chilled drilling fluid will be used to keep the hydrates from dissociatingbefore the samples get to the surface and to the onsite core lab for analysis

The partners are nearing completion of the projectrsquos first phase a one-yearintensive effort to finalize operational plans and logistics for the well Experts ingas hydrates from the US Geological Survey Lawrence Berkeley Lab theUniversity of Oklahoma University of Alaska at Anchorage and Schlumbergerprovided assistance and input during the planning stages

Hydrates have been identified in many wells in the North Slope mainly fromgeophysical logging in conventional oil and gas wells The total recoverable gasresource locked in Arctic hydrates is estimated at 11000 to 24000 trillioncubic feet (Tcf) However details on its concentration mode of occurrence andphysical and chemical properties are lacking This well should help to betterdefine the resource and possible production scenarios Tom Williams Maurerrsquos

Vice President for Marketing and BusinessDevelopment said ldquoRoutinely producing gasfrom Arctic hydrates is still a long way off butthis project will give the industry a good startin getting thererdquo

For more information contact Tom Williams attwilliamsmaurertechnologycom (713) 683-8227 or Frances Toro atfrancestoronetldoegov (304) 285-4107

Location Map of the Drill Site

Interior of the MobileCore CharacterizationSystem

WHAT ARE THESE STRANGE MOUNDS WITH

STREAMS OF BUBBLES FIZZING OFF THEIR TOPSThatrsquos the question Ian MacDonald and hiscoworkers kept asking themselves in the early1990s while working with Texas AampM UniversityrsquosGeochemical and Environmental Research Group(GERG) Ian notes it was obvious what they werebut he had completely missed the interpretationHe finally understood what they were seeing whenHarry Roberts of Louisiana State University sentback some video from a cruise in 1993 The videowas of seafloor deposits of gas hydrates Sincethen Ian and his coworkers have developedsampling and observation experiments Andhydrates have been an important component ofIanrsquos research ever since

Ian feels that he has been fortunate to be in on theldquomarvelous process of discoveryrdquo using submarinesand steadily better imaging and geophysical data

He has been involved in major breakthroughs simply by looking out of thesubmarine window at the right time He is proud of his work showing that gashydrates decompose in response to changing water temperatures especiallysince the work was done on a shoestring budget using simple equipment thathe tested in his bathtub The equipment has since been replicated and remainsaccepted

During the same time he got the idea of looking at photographs taken from thespace shuttle of his area of interest in the Gulf of Mexico He discovered thatoil slicks from natural seeps over 100 miles (161 kilometers) offshore can bereliably and accurately mapped using remote sensing data This has alsobecome an accepted tool in basin exploration

He credits Jim Brooks founder of GERG and one of his graduate advisors withgiving him and all graduate students who worked for him the freedom andscope to take responsibility for important research while throwing tremendouschallenges at them He also notes that Keith Kvenvolden has been wonderfullyencouraging to his younger colleagues

Ian responds strongly to the visual aspects of his research He loves creatingimages that capture the essence of a problemmdashgraphics or photographs Itrsquosnot surprising that photography is one of his hobbies His wife high-schoolEnglish teacher Ann Blake and their children son Colin and daughter Basilhave been unbelievably supportive through his many absences at sea ormeetings Ian notes that Colin wants to be a computer game designer andBasil is determined to be a geologist

What does Ian see as the future of methane hydrates and hydrate researchHe says ldquoWell obviously we need to consider whether hydrates are a potentialfuel source But beyond that we need to refine the theory of how hydratedeposits form persist and sometimes fail catastrophicallyrdquo He believes thatthe discovery of just how vast the hydrate carbon pool is will turn out to be oneof the paradigm shifts in earth science Our current estimates of the magnitudeof gas hydrates are double the amount of organic carbon in the carbon cyclethan was known even 15 years ago

He concludes ldquoI hope to produce accurate estimates of the total carbon inputto the oceans from gas seepsrdquo

IAN R MACDONALD

Texas AampM University CorpusChristiCorpus Christi TX 78412imacdonaldfalcontamucceduwwwosotamucceduianmacd

WHAT ARE THESE STRANGE MOUNDS WITH

STREAMS OF BUBBLES FIZZING OFF THEIR TOPSThatrsquos the question Ian MacDonald and hiscoworkers kept asking themselves in the early1990s while working with Texas AampM UniversityrsquosGeochemical and Environmental Research Group(GERG) Ian notes it was obvious what they werebut he had completely missed the interpretationHe finally understood what they were seeing whenHarry Roberts of Louisiana State University sentback some video from a cruise in 1993 The videowas of seafloor deposits of gas hydrates Sincethen Ian and his coworkers have developedsampling and observation experiments Andhydrates have been an important component ofIanrsquos research ever since

Ian feels that he has been fortunate to be in on theldquomarvelous process of discoveryrdquo using submarinesand steadily better imaging and geophysical data

He has been involved in major breakthroughs simply by looking out of thesubmarine window at the right time He is proud of his work showing that gashydrates decompose in response to changing water temperatures especiallysince the work was done on a shoestring budget using simple equipment thathe tested in his bathtub The equipment has since been replicated and remainsaccepted

During the same time he got the idea of looking at photographs taken from thespace shuttle of his area of interest in the Gulf of Mexico He discovered thatoil slicks from natural seeps over 100 miles (161 kilometers) offshore can bereliably and accurately mapped using remote sensing data This has alsobecome an accepted tool in basin exploration

He credits Jim Brooks founder of GERG and one of his graduate advisors withgiving him and all graduate students who worked for him the freedom andscope to take responsibility for important research while throwing tremendouschallenges at them He also notes that Keith Kvenvolden has been wonderfullyencouraging to his younger colleagues

Ian responds strongly to the visual aspects of his research He loves creatingimages that capture the essence of a problemmdashgraphics or photographs Itrsquosnot surprising that photography is one of his hobbies His wife high-schoolEnglish teacher Ann Blake and their children son Colin and daughter Basilhave been unbelievably supportive through his many absences at sea ormeetings Ian notes that Colin wants to be a computer game designer andBasil is determined to be a geologist

What does Ian see as the future of methane hydrates and hydrate researchHe says ldquoWell obviously we need to consider whether hydrates are a potentialfuel source But beyond that we need to refine the theory of how hydratedeposits form persist and sometimes fail catastrophicallyrdquo He believes thatthe discovery of just how vast the hydrate carbon pool is will turn out to be oneof the paradigm shifts in earth science Our current estimates of the magnitudeof gas hydrates are double the amount of organic carbon in the carbon cyclethan was known even 15 years ago

He concludes ldquoI hope to produce accurate estimates of the total carbon inputto the oceans from gas seepsrdquo

IAN R MACDONALD

Texas AampM University CorpusChristiCorpus Christi TX 78412imacdonaldfalcontamucceduwwwosotamucceduianmacd