The use of acoustic seafloor backscatter measurements for quantitative and qualitative characterization of methane seep areas

During the 2003 and 2004 cruises of the EC project CRIMEA almost 3000 active methane seeps were detected with an adapted scientific split-beam echosounder in the Dnepr paleo-delta area in the NW Black Sea (Naudts et al., in press). The seeps are widely, but not randomly, distributed over the transition zone between the continental shelf and slope, in water depths of 66 to 825 m. The highest concentration of seeps occurs on the shelf, in water depths of 80 to 95 m. Here, the location of the seeps is controlled by the underlying geology (filled channels) and seepage is characterized by the presence of pockmarks and high acoustic seafloor backscatter, visible on both multibeam and side-scan sonar data.Since seep detection during the CRIMEA cruises was performed independently but simultaneously with the multibeam and side-scan sonar recordings, these datasets possess a great potential for quantitative and qualitative analyses of acoustic seafloor backscatter in relation to the seep locations. Our analyses are further sustained by visual observations, high-resolution 5 kHz seismic data and sediment samples from gravity and multi-coring.For this study we selected an area of 37 km2 on the shelf.Within this area the normalized multibeam backscatter values ranges from -28.32 dB to 20.42 dB. After eliminating high-backscatter values caused by high topographic gradients, all seep positions within this area correspond to backscatter values of more than -2.89 dB and have a standard normal distribution. Furthermore, no seeps occur at locations characterized by the highest backscatter values. Within the area, 99.3 % of the seeps correspond to backscatter values ranging between -1.39 and 4.60 dB.These data indicate that actively bubbling seeps do not necessarily correspond to the highest backscatter values as would be expected; they rather surround the highbackscatter areas. This is also clear from visual observations in which bubbles are seen to emanate at the perimeter of white Beggiatoa mats. Since Beggiatoa mats are commonly associated with the precipitation of authigenic carbonates formed via AOM, these carbonates are very likely to be the cause of the higher backscatter values. Sediment samples and visual observation also indicated that areas corresponding to higher backscatter values are characterised by more shell material in the first 5-10 cm of the seabed.Also pockmarks are characterised by typical backscatter patterns. Better evolved, deeper, pockmarks are characterised by higher backscatter values and the seep activity is lower than at shallow pockmarks, which are often active bubbling. This could be explained by some sort of self-sealing of these seeps, as postulated by Hovland (2002).All these observations at the seafloor are clearly a result of the underlying geology where fluid migration is focussed to the sides of filled paleo-channels. The seismic data show the presence of a distinct “gas front” that locally domes up to the seafloor. These areas of gas front updoming on the shelf are characterised by seeps, higher backscatter values, Beggiatoa mats and pockmarks

Methane Fluxes from a High Intensity Seep Area west of Crimea, Black Sea

Methane seepage is a wide-spread phenomenon in the Black Sea with an increase in density and intensity west of the Crimea in the Paleo Dnepr area between 70 and 250m water depth. Within the EU funded project CRIMEA we studied the impact of high intensity seeps on the methane distribution in the water column and its possible transport into the atmosphere. Here we present data which allow flux calculations of free methane from an area of 1 by 1.23 miles between 80 and 95m water depth. Our calculations are based on direct and hydroacoustic flux measurements of single seeps or small-scaled seep areas (several m2); the spatial extrapolation of these fluxes use the very strong correlation between the bubble seep occurrence and a high backscattering seafloor; the temporal variability of bubble release was detected via the lander-based hydroacoustic system GasQuant.More than 1000 bubbling seep sites were identified during two cruises in 2003 and 2004 by hydroacoustic water column surveys. The hydroacoustic detection of bubbles uses the strong backscattering of the free gas phase caused by the great impedance difference of bubbles in water (equivalent to the detection of fish and their swim bladder). In echograms, bubble streams or even single bubbles can be detected, traced and used for special analyses such as bubble rising speed, bubble size and shrinking rates. Because of the flare-like appearance of bubble streams in echograms we call these features ’flares’.Parallel multi beam mapping allowed the detection of the seafloor morphology together with the spatial backscatter intensity of the seafloor. The combination of flare occurrences with high backscatter areas provided a very good correlation. Normalized, the backscatter ranged from -12.5 to 7.1 dB for an area of 4.23 km2. All seep positions plott in areas with more than -2.7 dB, which is almost the entire area of investigation (95.8 %). However, 75% of the flares occur within only 20.1% of the area, half of the flares occur in only 9.2% and 25% even occur in only 3.8% of the area with backscattering values above 2.4 dB. This correlation allows to predict and extrapolate active bubble seeps even without direct or hydroacoustic observations.One reason for the high backscattering seafloor are patches of carbonate cemented seafloor (formed via AOM) which typically occurs just below bright white Beggiatoa mats. In addition, high resolution seismic studies with a 5kHz sub-bottom profiler clearly show a shallow gas front in normally 3m sediment depth. In those areas where strong gas front reflectors dome up and reach the seafloor surface the backscatter values and flare density are the highest. This clearly shows that the bubbles released are fed from shallow gas which also might have an impact on the physical properties of the seafloor and its backscatter behaviour. Seeps in lower or even very low backscatter areas possibly indicate a rather young or weak activity which did not (so far) cause a remarkable carbonate cementation detectable during multi beam surveys.However, the backscatter data are the base for our spatial flux calculations which use direct bubble trapping to distinguish the flux rate from one single seep hole and hydroacoustic methods for small seep areas of several m2. Direct bubble flux measurements were performed with the submersible JAGO by trapping the bubbles with a funnel. Fluxes vary between 0.55 and 1.44 ml/s (or 1.98 to 5.18 l/h at in situ volume; or 0.24 to 0.64 mmol/s). Subsequent GC-based gas analyses onboard confirmed that the gas phase consists exclusively of methane. Visual observations by JAGO and towed camera systems showed bubble diameters between 1 and 15mm with typical sizes between 3 and 7mm. Together with bubble rising speeds of typically 25cm/s both attributes are in very good agreement with detailed hydroacoustic measurements using a dual frequency scientific echo sounder EK500 (120 and 38kHz). Flux estimat

Abnormally high acoustic sea-floor backscatter patterns in active methane venting areas, Dnepr paleo-delta, northwestern Black Sea

During the 58th and 60th cruise of R.V. Vodyanitskiy, conducted in the framework of the EU-funded CRIMEA project, almost 3000 active bubble-releasing seeps were detected with an adapted split-beam echosounder within the 1540 km2 of the studied Dnepr paleo-delta area. The distribution of these active seeps is not random, but is controlled by morphology, by underlying stratigraphy and sediment properties, and by the presence of gas hydrates acting as a seal and preventing upward migrating gas to be released as bubbles in the water column (Naudts et al., 2006).Here we present the relation between acoustic sea-floor backscatter and the distribution of more than 600 active methane seeps detected within a small area on the continental shelf. This study is further sustained by visual sea-floor observations, highresolution seismic data, pore-water data and grain-size analysis.The backscatter data indicate that seeps are generally not located within highbackscatter areas, but rather surround them. Most seeps are located within shallow pockmarks which are characterized by medium-backscatter values, whereas deeper pockmarks have high-backscatter values with much lower seep densities. The seismic data show the presence of a distinct gas front (free gas); shallow gas fronts correspond to high- and medium-backscatter areas, which are associated with gas seeps, whereas deep gas fronts correspond to low-backscatter areas without seeps. The presence of shallow gas is also confirmed by the pore-water data, showing higher amounts of dissolved-methane concentrations for areas with medium- to high-backscatter values.Visual observations showed that the high-backscatter areas correspond to white Beggiatoa mats. These thiotrophic bacterial mats are indicators for the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) which results in the formation of methane-derived carbonates (MDAC’s). AOM was also confirmed by the pore-water data. No clear correlation with grain-size distribution could be established.Based on the integration of all datasets, we conclude that the observed highbackscatter anomalies are a result of methane-derived authigenic carbonates (MDAC’s). The carbonate formation appears to lead to a gradual (self)-sealing of the seeps (Hovland, 2002), followed by a relocation of the bubble-releasing holes. Furthermore, the degree of MDAC-formation is directly linked to the backscatter intensity and seep activity which makes it possible to use the backscatter strength as a proxy for the seep activity and distribution

Anomalous seafloor backscatter patterns in methane venting areas, Dnepr paleo-delta, NW Black Sea

The relation between acoustic seafloor backscatter and seep distribution is examined by integrating multibeam backscatter data and seep locations detected by single-beam echosounder. This study is further supported by side scan sonar recordings, high-resolution 5 kHz seismic data, pore-water analysis, grain-size analysis and visual seafloor observations. The datasets were acquired during the 2003 and 2004 expeditions of the EC-funded CRIMEA project in the Dnepr paleo-delta area, northwestern Black Sea. More than 600 active methane seeps were hydro-acoustically detected within a small (3.96 km by 3.72 km) area on the continental shelf of the Dnepr paleo-delta in water depths ranging from -72 m to -156 m. Multibeam and side scan sonar recordings show backscatter patterns that are clearly associated with seepage or with a present dune area. Seeps generally occur within medium- to high backscatter areas which often coincide with pockmarks. High-resolution seismic data reveal the presence of an undulating gas front, i.e. the top of the free gas in the subsurface, which domes up towards and intersects the seafloor at locations where gas seeps and medium- to high-backscatter values are detected. Pore-water analysis of 4 multi-cores, taken at different backscatter intensity sites, shows a clear correlation between backscatter intensity and dissolved methane fluxes. All analyzed chemical species indicate increasing anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) from medium- to high-backscatter locations. This is confirmed by visual seafloor observations, showing bacterial mats and authigenic carbonates formed by AOM. Grain-size analysis of the 4 multi-cores only reveals negligible variations between the different backscatter sites. Integration of all datasets leads to the conclusion that the observed backscatter patterns are the result of ongoing methane seepage and the precipitation of methane-derived authigenic carbonates (MDACs) caused by AOM. The carbonate formation also appears to lead to a gradual (self-)sealing of the seeps by cementing fluid pathways/horizons followed by a relocation of the bubble-releasing locations

Observation of microbial carbonate build-ups growing at methane seeps near the upper boundary of the gas-hydrate stability zone in the Black Sea

Extensive dredge sampling carried out in May-June 2004 in the deeper part of the Dnepr paleo-delta area (NW Black Sea) yielded for the first time chimney-shaped carbonate microbial build-ups, which occur at methane seeps close to upper boundary of the gas-hydrate stability zone (~ 700 m). Carbonate samples taken with a benthic trawl represent fragments of the uppermost, middle and lowest parts of the build-up; they are similar morphologically to those found previously at the shallower and deeper methane seeps in the Black Sea. At the same time, the perforated, plate-like carbonates in the lowest parts of the build-up provide first indications that gas channels are formed during the earliest growth phase of these microbial structures. Stable carbon isotope analyses of the carbonates from the uppermost fragments gave the 5I3C values ranging from -33.7 to -36.6 %o, while the 813C values of the lowest fragments are significantly lighter, varying between -42.0 and -44.6 %o. Oxygen isotopic values also show differences between the samples from the uppermost part of the build-ups, which are composed of a mixture of aragonite and Mg-calcite (5180 = 0.7 to 0.94 %o), and the only Mg-calcite cemented thin slabs of lowest carbonates (5180 = 1.35 to 1.57 96o). The isotope data for carbon and oxygen suggests that carbonates formed as a result of anaerobic microbiological oxi­dation of methane supplied as a shallower-sourced fluid component from below. The difference in 513C and 5I80 values found in the upper and lowest parts of the build-ups may indicate that more carbon derived from seawater and less hydrate water are involved to the chimney formation during its growth, but this may be also a record of the long-term changes in the near-bottom environments related to evolution of salinity, temperature and anoxic conditions in the Black Sea

A Logic of Blockchain Updates

Blockchains are distributed data structures that are used to achieve consensus in systems for cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin) or smart contracts (like Ethereum). Although blockchains gained a lot of popularity recently, there is no logic-based model for blockchains available. We introduce BCL, a dynamic logic to reason about blockchain updates, and show that BCL is sound and complete with respect to a simple blockchain model

Deformed Base Antisymmetrized Molecular Dynamics and its Application to ^{20}Ne

A new theoretical framework named as deformed base antisymmetrized molecular dynamics that uses the localized triaxially deformed Gaussian as the single particle wave packet is presented. The model space enables us to describe sufficiently well the deformed mean-field structure as well as the cluster structure and their mixed structure within the same framework. The improvement over the original version of the antisymmetrized molecular dynamics which uses the spherical Gaussian is verified by the application to $^{20}{\rm Ne}$ nucleus. The almost pure $\alpha + ^{16}{\rm O_{g.s}}$ cluster structure of the $K^\pi$=$0^-$ band, the distortion of the cluster structure in the $K^\pi$=$0^+_1$ band and the dominance of the deformed mean-field structure of the $K^\pi$=$2^-$ band are confirmed and their observed properties are reproduced. Especially, the intra-band E2 transition probabilities in $K^\pi$=$0^+_1$ and $2^-$ bands are reproduced without any effective charge. Since it has been long known that the pure $\alpha + ^{16}{\rm O}_{g.s.}$ cluster model underestimates the intra-band $E2$ transitions in the $K^\pi$=$0^+_1$ band by about 30%, we consider that this success is due to the sufficient description of the deformed mean-field structure in addition to the cluster structure by the present framework. From the successful description of $^{20}{\rm Ne}$, we expect that the present framework presents us with a powerful approach for the study of the coexistence and interplay of the mean-field structure and the cluster structure

Geological and morphological setting of 2778 methane seeps in the Dnepr paleo-delta, northwestern Black Sea

The Dnepr paleo-delta area in the NW Black Sea is characterized by an abundant presence of methane seeps. During the expeditions of May–June 2003 and 2004 within the EU-funded CRIMEA project, detailed multibeam, seismic and hydro-acoustic water-column investigations were carried out to study the relation between the spatial distribution of methane seeps, sea-floor morphology and sub-surface structures.2778 new methane seeps were detected on echosounding records in an area of 1540 km2. All seeps are located in the transition zone between the continental shelf and slope, in water depths of 66 to 825 m. The integration of the different geophysical datasets clearly indicates that methane seeps are not randomly distributed in this area, but are concentrated in specific locations.The depth limit for the majority of the detected seeps is 725 m water depth, which corresponds more or less with the stability limit for pure methane hydrate at the ambient bottom temperature (8.9 °C) in this part of the Black Sea. This suggests that, where gas hydrates are stable, they play the role of buffer for the upward migration of methane gas and thus prevent seepage of methane bubbles into the water column.Higher up on the margin, gas seeps are widespread, but accurate mapping illustrates that seeps occur preferentially in association with particular morphological and sub-surface features. On the shelf, the highest concentration of seeps is found in elongated depressions (pockmarks) above the margins of filled channels. On the continental slope where no pockmarks have been observed, seepage occurs along crests of sedimentary ridges. There, seepage is focussed by a parallel-stratified sediment cover that thins out towards the ridge crests. On the slope, seepage also appears in the vicinity of canyons (bottom, flanks and margins) or near the scarps of submarine landslides where mass-wasting breaches the fine-grained sediment cover that acts as a stratigraphic seal. The seismic data show the presence of a distinct “gas front,” which has been used to map the depth of the free gas within the sea-floor sediments. The depth of this gas front is variable and locally domes up to the sea floor. Where the gas front approaches the seafloor, gas bubbles were detected in the water column. A regional map of the sub-surface depth of the gas front emphasises this “gas front-versus-seep” relationship.The integration of all data sets indicates that the spatial distribution of methane seeps in the Dnepr paleo-delta is mainly controlled by the gas-hydrate stability zone as well as by stratigraphic and sedimentary factors