Abstract
Methane (CH4) concentrations and CH4 stable carbon isotopic composition (\( \delta^{13} {\text{C}}_{{{\text{CH}}_{4} }} \)) were investigated in the water column within Jaco Scar. It is one of several scars formed by massive slides resulting from the subduction of seamounts offshore Costa Rica, a process that can open up structural and stratigraphical pathways for migrating CH4. The release of large amounts of CH4 into the adjacent water column was discovered at the outcropping lowermost sedimentary sequence of the hanging wall in the northwest corner of Jaco Scar, where concentrations reached up to 1,500 nmol L−1. There CH4-rich fluids seeping from the sedimentary sequence stimulate both growth and activity of a dense chemosynthetic community. Additional point sources supplying CH4 at lower concentrations were identified in density layers above and below the main plume from light carbon isotope ratios. The injected CH4 is most likely a mixture of microbial and thermogenic CH4 as suggested by \( \delta^{13} {\text{C}}_{{{\text{CH}}_{4} }} \) values between −50 and −62 ‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite. This CH4 spreads along isopycnal surfaces throughout the whole area of the scar, and the concentrations decrease due to mixing with ocean water and microbial oxidation. The supply of CH4 appears to be persistent as repeatedly high CH4 concentrations were found within the scar over 6 years. The maximum CH4 concentration and average excess CH4 concentration at Jaco Scar indicate that CH4 seepage from scars might be as significant as seepage from other tectonic structures in the marine realm. Hence, taking into account the global abundance of scars, such structures might constitute a substantial, hitherto unconsidered contribution to natural CH4 sources at the seafloor.
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Acknowledgments
Many thanks to the scientists, masters, and crews aboard research vessels SONNE and METEOR during cruises SO 163, M 54, SO 173, and M66 for their support, information, and discussion. We are grateful for the many helpful hands during sampling, most of all Karen Stange and Bert Mantzke. Karen Stange provided also shore-based stable carbon isotope analysis. For comments and discussion, we like to thank Robin Keir, Jürgen Gossler, Christian Hensen, Warner Brückmann, Steffen Kutterrolf, Roger Luff, Oliver Bartdorff, and Heidi Wehrmann. This publication is contribution no. 80 of the Sonderforschungsbereich 574 “Volatiles and Fluids in Subduction Zones” at the University of Kiel.
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Mau, S., Rehder, G., Sahling, H. et al. Seepage of methane at Jaco Scar, a slide caused by seamount subduction offshore Costa Rica. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 103, 1801–1815 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-012-0822-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-012-0822-z