Sources and flux of natural gases from Mono Lake, California
The ability to identify a formation mechanism for natural gas in a particular environment requires consideration of several geochemical factors when there are multiple sources present. Four primary sources of methane have been identified in Mono Lake. Two of these sources were associated with numerous natural gas seeps which occur at various locations in the lake and extend beyond its present boundary; the two other gas sources result from current microbiological processes. In the natural gas seeps, we observed flow rates as high as 160 moles CH4 day−1, and estimate total lakewide annual seep flux to be 2.1 × 106 moles CH4. Geochemical parameters (δ13CH4,δDCH4,CH4/[C2H6+ C3H8]) andδ14CH4measurements revealed that most of the seeps originate from a paleo-biogenic (δ13CH4 = about −70%.). natural gas deposit of Pleistocene age which underlies the current and former lakebed. Gas seeps in the vicinity of hot springs had, in combination with the biogenic gas, a prominent thermogenic gas component resulting from hydrothermal alteration of buried organic matter.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1987 |
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Title | Sources and flux of natural gases from Mono Lake, California |
DOI | 10.1016/0016-7037(87)90367-X |
Authors | Ronald S. Oremland, L.G. Miller, Michael J. Whiticar |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta |
Index ID | 70014117 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Toxic Substances Hydrology Program |