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Hydrocarbon gases in sediment of the Voring Plateau, Norwegian Sea

February 5, 1989

Geochemical studies at three ODP Leg 104 sites on the Wring Plateau help define the distribution of hydrocarbon gases in sediment of this prominent feature of the Norwegian continental margin. Low levels of hydrocarbon gas were encountered in sediment of the outer part of the plateau, but sediment of the inner part of the plateau is very gassy. The molecular composition of inner plateau gases ( > 99.9% methane) and the carbon isotopic composition of the methane (avg. = - 76%o relative to the PDB standard) clearly show that the gas is biogenic. Heavier hydrocarbon gases accompany this methane, and their presence is probably a result of both chemical and microbial low-temperature diagenesis. Although these heavier hydrocarbons were not detected in sediment of the outer part of the plateau during shipboard analyses, subsequent shore-based analyses showed that these compounds are present at very low concentrations. Methane in the gassy sediment of the inner part of the plateau may be present as gas hydrates, judging from sedimentological and inorganic geochemical considerations, but no discernible gas hydrates were recovered during drilling.

Publication Year 1989
Title Hydrocarbon gases in sediment of the Voring Plateau, Norwegian Sea
DOI 10.2973/odp.proc.sr.104.125.1989
Authors Keith A. Kvenvolden, Margaret Golan-Bac, T.J. McDonald, R.C. Pflaum, J.M. Brooks
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program: Scientific Results
Index ID 70208351
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center