Methane hydrate emergence from Lake Baikal: direct observations, modelling, and hydrate footprints in seasonal ice cover.

ABSTRACT: This paper provides a novel report of methane hydrates rising from bottom sediments to the surface of Lake Baikal, validated by photo and video records. The ascent of hydrates in the water column was confirmed by hydroacoustic data showing rising objects with velocities significantly exceeding the typical speeds (18-25 cm s^-1) of gas bubbles. Mathematical modelling along with velocity and depth estimates of the presumed methane hydrates coincided with values observed from echograms. Modelling results also showed that a methane hydrate fragment with initial radius of 2.5 cm or greater could reach the surface of Lake Baikal given summer water column temperature conditions. Results further show that while methane bubbles released from the deep sedimentary reservoir would dissolve i

SUBMITTER: Granin NG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6920351 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature