Massive asphalt deposits, oil seepage, and gas venting support abundantchemosynthetic communities at the Campeche Knolls, southern Gulf of Mexico
Journal: Biogeosciences
Year: 2016

Abstract. Hydrocarbon seepage is a widespread process at the continental margins of the Gulf of Mexico. We used a multidisciplinary approach, including multibeam mapping and visual seafloor observations with different underwater vehicles to study the extent and character of complex hydrocarbon seepage in the Bay of Campeche, southern Gulf of Mexico. Our observations showed that seafloor asphalt deposits previously only known from the Chapopote Knoll also occur at numerous other knolls and ridges