Collaborative Research: Physical and Chemical Constraints on Fluxes at LExEn and Proposed ODP Sites in the Gulf of Mexico

OCE-0117950摘要;“墨西哥湾LExEn和拟议ODP站点通量的物理和化学限制“拟议项目将侧重于揭示中等和高通量站点处及之间的天然气水合物储层的动态。至1.）通过采用渗透通量计直接测量流体通量、2）获取高分辨率热流数据、3）使用孔隙水和固相气体通量代用指标以及4）使用高分辨率深拖Chirp剖面对通量管道成像，该研究将限制对天然气水合物的形成和长期稳定性至关重要的通量的时空变化。结果提供了一个测试的假设，可量化的空间变化的能量，流体和气体通量有关的可观察到的变化，在分布的自由气体和天然气水合物。这些研究地点与选择用于重点微生物研究的两个地点相吻合，这是NSF资助的极端环境中的生命项目的一部分。研究地点也与墨西哥湾天然气水合物钻探的两个拟议地点相吻合，该项目将为拟议钻探提供更多的现场调查数据。

Abstract of OCE-0117950; "Physical and Chemical constraints on fluxes at LExEn and proposed ODP sites in the Gulf of Mexico"The proposed project will focus on unraveling the dynamics of the gas hydrate reservoir at and between moderate and high flux sites. Through 1.) direct measurement of fluid flux with osmotic flux meters, 2) acquisition of high resolution heat flow data, 3) use of porewater and solid-phase proxies for gas flux and 4) imaging of flux conduits with high-resolution, deep-tow Chirp profiles, the study will constrain spatial and temporal variations in fluxes critical to the formation and long-term stability of gas hydrates. The results provide a test of the hypothesis that quantifiable spatial variations in energy, fluid and gas flux are related to observable changes in the distribution of free gas and gas hydrate. The study sites coincide with two sites chosen for focused microbiological research as part of an NSF funded Life in Extreme Environments project. The study sites also coincide with two sites proposed for Gulf of Mexico gas hydrates drilling and the project will provide additional site survey data for the proposed drilling.