Studies on gas biogeochemistry in the near-bottom environment of aquatic areas

• Published in: Doklady earth sciences Vol. 427; no. 2; pp. 1035 - 1039
• Main Authors: Avilov, V. I., Avilova, S. D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01-08-2009; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic ecosystems; Aquatic environment; ATP; Biogeochemistry; Carbon dioxide; Dissolved organic carbon; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Enzymatic activity; Gases; Geochemistry; Helium; Microorganisms; Sediments; Sediment Mass; Continental Slope; DOKLADY Earth Science; Rift Zone; Aquatic Area
• ISSN: 1028-334X; 1531-8354
• DOI: 10.1134/S1028334X09060324

An integrated methodology developed by the authors for studies on marine gas biogeochemistry was used. The new data are presented for a wide variety of gas biogeochemical parameters measured synchronously in the near-bottom environment (in water and sediments). As the background, abnormally high values were found for gaseous components (hydrocarbons, helium, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, permanent gases) and for biochemical parameters (adenosine triphosphate (ATP), biomass of active living microorganisms by ATP (ALMB), various enzymatic activities, dissolved organic carbon (C
org
), carbamide nitrogen, etc.). The new data set obtained allowed us to discover the effect of chemolite autotrophy in local near-bottom ecosystems. The appearance of chemolite autotrophy in the upper layer of sediment points to the occurrence of this effect in deeper layers of the sediment mass as well, as a result of deep gas fluxes. It is shown that the effect of chemolite autotrophy must be taken into account in estimating the oil and gas resources, especially in view of their continual replenishment.