An Investigation of Mechanisms for the Formation of Methane in the Upper Ocean

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This research will investigate the mechanisms of methane formation in the upper water column. Dissolved methane profiles in the upper ocean are frequently characterized by a subsurface maximum. This maximum commonly coincides with the pycnocline and methane concentrations there are supersaturated with respect to atmospheric equilibrium. Methane peaks have been correlated with peaks in number of biological and chemical parameters including ATP, chlorophyll, zooplankton and particle concentrations. This study will specifically investigate the role of zooplankton feeding in the production of methane. Zooplankton will be fed with radio labelled algae and measure labelled methane production. Methods will also be developed to feed zooplankton individual labeled compounds which may be specific precursors of methane. The studies will lead to a better understanding of anaerobic processes in the oxic water column, provide information on digestive processes in zooplankton guts, and increase our knowledge of the cycling of methylamines and other C-1 compounds in seawater.