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	Quick Search Author Title Abstract Nr. Schedule Nr. Programme Groups Atmospheric Sciences Biogeosciences Climate: Past, Present, Future Cryospheric Sciences Energy, Resources and the Environment Geodesy Geodynamics Geomorphology Geophysical Instrumentation Hydrological Sciences Magnetism, Palaeomagnetism, Rock Physics & Geomaterials Natural Hazards Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics Ocean Sciences Planetary and Solar System Sciences Seismology Soil System Sciences Solar-Terrestrial Sciences Stratigraphy, Sedimentology and Paleontology Tectonics and Structural Geology Volcanology, Geochemistry, Petrology & Mineralogy Union Symposia Educational Symposia   Information - BG3.02 Methane fluxes on continental margins: budgets and controls (co-listed in CL & OS) Event Information The deposition of organic material at continental margins and its burial below the sulfate zone is the basis for a microbiological production of vast amounts of methane. Methane is an aggressive greenhouse gas when emitted into the atmosphere. The continuous methane formation in shelf and margin sediments may lead to accumulations of free gas, to gas hydrate reservoirs, to locally focussed methane emission, and to complex geological structures such as gas reservoirs, pockmarks, mud volcanoes and carbonate cements. From biogeochemical research on methane fluxes in past and present times, new facts and hypotheses have emerged which question our current understanding of methane inventories, budgets and their controls. Furthermore, new microbial pathways and habitats have been identified which change our view on the role of methane in shaping margin habitats and ecosystems. New high resolution geophysical tools allow us to detect margin areas storing and emitting unusual amounts of free, dissolved or frozen methane. This session will highlight the most recent views of sources, sinks and inventories of methane in shelf seas and continental margins, and look at the importance of physical, geological, chemical and biological factors in regulating methane emission. We would like to bring together experts from geophysics, geology, oceanography, geochemistry, numerical modeling, microbiology and ecology to discuss current knowledge on methane fluxes at continental margins and to present recent and future research contributing to an understanding of the control of methane emission by geosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere processes. We welcome concerted contributions from current EU and ESF EUROCORES/EUROMARGINS projects as well as from other national and international programs on fluid flow, gas hydrates, cold seeps and methane cycling. Preliminary List of Solicited Speakers Co-Sponsorship General Statement The information contained hereafter has been compiled and uploaded by the Session Organizers via the "Organizer Session Form". The Session Organizers have therefore the sole responsibility that this information is true and accurate at the date of publication, and the conference organizer cannot accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made, and he makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with regard to the material published. Back to Session Programme

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