EGU General Assembly 2007

			Session Programme Meeting Programme Personal Programme Search
	Quick Search Title + Author Title Author Abstract Number Schedule Number Programme Groups Great Debates Union Symposia Educational Symposia Atmospheric Sciences Biogeosciences Climate: Past, Present, Future Cryospheric Sciences Energy, Resources and the Environment Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology Geodesy Geodynamics Geomorphology Geosciences Instrumentation and Data Systems Hydrological Sciences Isotopes in Geosciences: Instrumentation and Applications Magnetism, Palaeomagnetism, Rock Physics & Geomaterials Natural Hazards Nonlinear Processes in Geosciences Ocean Sciences Planetary and Solar System Sciences Seismology Soil System Sciences Solar-Terrestrial Sciences Stratigraphy, Sedimentology and Palaeontology Tectonics and Structural Geology Medal Lectures EGU Short Courses Keynote Lectures Townhall Meetings Division Business Meetings Editorial Board Meetings Union Meetings Splinter Meetings Forums   Information - BG6.04 Methane fluxes on continental margins: ecosystems, drivers and controls (co-listed in CL) Event Information The deposition of organic material at continental margins and its burial below the sulfate zone is the basis for a microbiological production of vast amounts of methane. Methane is an aggressive greenhouse gas when emitted into the atmosphere. The continuous methane formation in shelf and margin sediments may lead to accumulations of free gas, gas hydrate reservoirs, fluid and mud flow as well as locally focussed methane emission. Related to methane accumulation and transport complex subsurface and surface structures form such as gas chimneys, pockmarks, mud volcanoes and carbonate cements. If methane reaches the seafloor, it becomes the basis of spectacular chemosynthetic ecosystems. Furthermore, methane-derived carbonates form rare hard grounds on continental margins and attract specific benthic communities and fish. From biogeochemical research on methane fluxes in past and present times, new facts and hypotheses have emerged on drivers and controls of such methane-fuelled ecosystems. Furthermore, combinations of new high resolution and in situ methods from a variety of disciplines allow a better insight on the role of methane in shaping margin habitats and ecosystems. This session will highlight the most recent views on gas driven surface and subsurface geo-bio-spheres, and look at the importance of physical, geological, chemical and biological factors in regulating methane emission. We would like to bring together experts from geophysics, geology, oceanography, geochemistry, numerical modeling, microbiology and ecology to discuss current knowledge on drivers and controls of methane fluxes and associated ecosystems. We welcome contributions from EU 6th FP IP HERMES, ESF EUROCORES EuroMargins and other recent and current projects on cold seeps, fluid flow, gas hydrates, methane cycling. Preliminary List of Solicited Speakers Co-Sponsorship General Statement The information contained hereafter has been compiled and uploaded by the Session Organizers via the "Organizer Session Form". The Session Organizers have therefore the sole responsibility that this information is true and accurate at the date of publication, and the conference organizer cannot accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made, and he makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with regard to the material published. Back to Session Programme

©2002-2008 Copernicus Systems + Technology GmbH