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Main Authors: Mazzini, Adriano, Svensen, H H, Planke, Sverre, Forsberg, Carl Fredrik, Tjelta, T I
Format: Dataset Open Access
Language:en
Published: PANGAEA 2017
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.871471
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author Mazzini, Adriano
Svensen, H H
Planke, Sverre
Forsberg, Carl Fredrik
Tjelta, T I
author_facet Mazzini, Adriano
Svensen, H H
Planke, Sverre
Forsberg, Carl Fredrik
Tjelta, T I
collection Datos científicos de ciencias marinas y ambientales
contents Acoustic imaging has revealed more than 7000 pockmarks on the seafloor above the Troll East gas field in the Norwegian North Sea. We present the first comprehensive study conducted on one of the World's largest pockmark fields complementing the acoustic data with extensive sampling, geochemical and petrographical studies. Specifically, we aimed at detecting possible active seepage still present over this vast area. The pockmarks are present as isolated structures, on average ~ 35 m wide and up to 100 m in size. In addition, smaller satellite pockmarks surround some of the pockmarks. In contrast to the muddy surroundings, parts of the investigated pockmarks contain laterally extensive carbonate deposits or meter sized carbonate blocks. These blocks provide shelter to abundant colonies of benthic megafauna. The carbonate blocks are comprised of micritic Mg-calcite and calcite, micritic aragonite, and botryoidal aragonite. Framboidal pyrite is also commonly present. Carbon isotopic values of the carbonates are 13C-depleted (d13C as low as - 59.7per mil) and with d18O up to 4.5per mil, indicating a methanogenic origin, possibly linked to gas hydrate dissociation. Pore water extracted from shallow cores from the centre and the flanks of the pockmarks show similar Cl and SO4 profiles as the reference cores outside the pockmarks, ruling out active methane seepage. This conclusion is also supported by seafloor video observations that did not reveal any evidence of visual fluid seepage, and by the absence of microbial mats and by the fact that the carbonate blocks are exposed on the seafloor and party oxidized on the surface. We conclude that methane seepage formed this extensive gas field following to gas hydrate dissociation.
format Dataset Open Access
id pangaea_https___doi_org_10_1594_PANGAEA_871471
institution PANGAEA
language en
publishDate 2017
publisher PANGAEA
record_format pangaea
spellingShingle Chemical analyses from sediment cores of giant Troll gas field in the Norwegian North Sea
Mazzini, Adriano
Svensen, H H
Planke, Sverre
Forsberg, Carl Fredrik
Tjelta, T I

Acoustic imaging has revealed more than 7000 pockmarks on the seafloor above the Troll East gas field in the Norwegian North Sea. We present the first comprehensive study conducted on one of the World's largest pockmark fields complementing the acoustic data with extensive sampling, geochemical and petrographical studies. Specifically, we aimed at detecting possible active seepage still present over this vast area. The pockmarks are present as isolated structures, on average ~ 35 m wide and up to 100 m in size. In addition, smaller satellite pockmarks surround some of the pockmarks. In contrast to the muddy surroundings, parts of the investigated pockmarks contain laterally extensive carbonate deposits or meter sized carbonate blocks. These blocks provide shelter to abundant colonies of benthic megafauna. The carbonate blocks are comprised of micritic Mg-calcite and calcite, micritic aragonite, and botryoidal aragonite. Framboidal pyrite is also commonly present. Carbon isotopic values of the carbonates are 13C-depleted (d13C as low as - 59.7per mil) and with d18O up to 4.5per mil, indicating a methanogenic origin, possibly linked to gas hydrate dissociation. Pore water extracted from shallow cores from the centre and the flanks of the pockmarks show similar Cl and SO4 profiles as the reference cores outside the pockmarks, ruling out active methane seepage. This conclusion is also supported by seafloor video observations that did not reveal any evidence of visual fluid seepage, and by the absence of microbial mats and by the fact that the carbonate blocks are exposed on the seafloor and party oxidized on the surface. We conclude that methane seepage formed this extensive gas field following to gas hydrate dissociation.
title Chemical analyses from sediment cores of giant Troll gas field in the Norwegian North Sea
topic
url https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.871471