We propose that the source water for some abyssal undular vortices cored by cool, low-salinity water identified at depths in excess of 2,500 m in the deepwater region of the Eastern Mediterranean Basin may be related to conversion of natural gas hydrate (NGH) in abyssal marine sediments. The conditions for extensive formation of NGH in the gas hydrate stability zones (GHSZ) of the upper seafloor sediments existed in this region during previous glacial episodes when colder water supported a thicker GHSZ. Seafloor warming during the most recent interglacial caused thinning of the GHSZ at its base and has driven endothermic NGH dissociation that would have released large volumes of low-salinity water and gas that would tend to pond below the base GHSZ. Periodically, trapped low-salinity water and gas would be released into the sea through the overlying sediments. Buoyant low-salinity water masses, supersaturated with gas and locally containing free gas would ascend and introduce a dynamic element into an otherwise generally static environment. As a result of the interaction of the rise of this buoyant plume and Coriolis acceleration the ascending mass would begin to rotate and form a vortex tube in midwater. NGH conversion within the seafloor introduces large coherent masses of low-salinity, lower-temperature water containing a buoyant free gas fraction from near-surface reservoirs into the abyssal depths even where there may only be a weak natural gas petroleum system.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.