The marvels of methane: clathrates, climate, caves, and cold seeps

Methane is the most ubiquitous hydrocarbon on Earth. In the atmosphere, it is a potent greenhouse gas, driving ~20% of greenhouse gas warming. In the geosphere, it is a resource accounting for an increasing percentage of the global energy supply. In the biosphere, it is a source of energy and carbon for numerous food webs. Methane hydrate dissociation stimulated by warming oceans and natural seepage will inject more methane into the oceans and potentially the atmosphere. Deep-ocean cold seeps consume and convert some of that methane into other forms of carbon. The remainder escapes the seafloor and may breach the ocean to further stimulate atmospheric warming. I will discuss USGS-led scientific studies and technological innovations designed to identify the sources, fluxes, and sinks of methane within the deep biosphere, cold-seeps, ocean, and atmosphere. In addition, I will present recent evidence that methane is an energetic source for submerged coastal cave ecosystems.

Speaker: John Pohlman, USGS