在南极洲下面潜在的甲储.
J L Wadham1, S Arndt, S Tulaczyk
1School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK. j.l.wadham@bris.ac.uk
Nature
|August 31, 2012
概括
南极洲的冰下环境可能有大量的甲储量,这可能会影响全球的甲预算. 这项研究探讨了南极冰盖下甲水合物形成的潜力.
科学领域:
- 地质科学 地质科学
- 微生物学 微生物学
- 气候科学 气候科学
背景情况:
- 南极洲的冰下环境是微生物生命和有机碳的公认储库.
- 在南极冰盖下方由甲产生的古生物产生甲的潜力仍然未被评估.
- 巨大的海洋沉积盆地含有大量有机碳被埋在南极冰盖下.
研究的目的:
- 评估在南极洲的冰下沉积盆地中产生和积累甲的潜力.
- 评估甲原性古生物在南极冰下将有机碳降解为甲中的作用.
- 确定甲水合物形成的潜力及其对全球甲预算的贡献.
主要方法:
- 来自其他亚冰川环境的实验数据显示,甲产生的有机物被覆盖.
- 使用1D水合物模型进行数值模拟,以预测南极盆地的甲积累.
- 对有利于在不同沉积物深度形成甲水合物的压力/温度条件的分析.
主要成果:
- 实验证据支持冰川覆盖的有机物中的甲生产潜力.
- 模拟表明,在300米 (西南极洲) 和700米 (东南极洲) 下,甲水合物形成的条件有利.
- 南极地区的甲水合物库存的规模可能与北极永久土估计相当.
结论:
- 南极冰盖可能是全球甲预算的重要,但被忽视的贡献者.
- 在南极的沉积盆地中,甲水合物的积累是合理的,这取决于有机碳的降解和冰盖床的条件.
- 这种冰下甲潜力可以作为冰盖浪费期间气候变暖的积极反机制.
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