Thermogenic vent gas and gas hydrate in the Gulf of Mexico slope: Is gas hydrate decomposition significant? (2001)

Research Article| February 01, 2001 Thermogenic vent gas and gas hydrate in the Gulf of Mexico slope: Is gas hydrate decomposition significant? Roger Sassen; Roger Sassen 1Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stephen T. Sweet; Stephen T. Sweet 1Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Alexei V. Milkov; Alexei V. Milkov 1Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Debra A. DeFreitas; Debra A. DeFreitas 1Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mahlon C. Kennicutt, II Mahlon C. Kennicutt, II 1Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2001) 29 (2): 107–110. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0107:TVGAGH>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 23 Jun 2000 rev-recd: 24 Oct 2000 accepted: 01 Nov 2000 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Roger Sassen, Stephen T. Sweet, Alexei V. Milkov, Debra A. DeFreitas, Mahlon C. Kennicutt; Thermogenic vent gas and gas hydrate in the Gulf of Mexico slope: Is gas hydrate decomposition significant?. Geology 2001;; 29 (2): 107–110. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0107:TVGAGH>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Samples of vent gas and gas hydrate on the Gulf of Mexico slope were collected by research submersible (∼540 m water depth) and by piston coring (∼1060–1070 m water depth). Although gas hydrate that crops out is transiently unstable, the larger volume of structure II gas hydrate in the gulf is stable or increasing in volume because gas from the subsurface petroleum system is venting prolifically within the gas hydrate stability zone. Vent gas from gas hydrate shows no meaningful molecular evidence of gas hydrate decomposition. Gas hydrate fabrics, mainly vein fillings, are typical of ongoing crystallization. Once crystallized, most hydrocarbons are protected from bacteria within the crystal lattice of gas hydrate. A leaky petroleum system is proposed to be the main source of thermogenic greenhouse gases in the central gulf. Stable gas hydrate sequesters large volumes of greenhouse gases, suggesting that gas hydrate may not be a significant factor in models of climate change at present. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.