Geology Reports⌕ Search

Geology topics

G.D. Redden

Publications and source records attributed to G.D. Redden.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1980

Hydrocarbon gas in sediment from the shelf, slope and basin of the Bering Sea.

Methane, ethane, ethene, propane, propene, isobutane and n-butane are present in low concentrations in the top 2m of sediment. Methane is most abundant and its concentration increases with depth in the sediment. Ethane, ethene, propane and propene are present in almost all samples, but the concentrations of these gases are about two orders of magnitude-lower than the concentration of methane. The average ratios of ethane to ethene are usually greater than one in shelf sediment, about one in slope sediment, and usually less than one in basin sediments. These hydrocarbon gases are probably derived from low-temperature chemical and biochemical processes operating at or near the sea-floor. -from Authors

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗
USGS1979

Biogenic and thermogenic gas in gas-charged sediment of Norton Sound, Alaska

Chemical and isotopic compositions of sediment gas from Norton Sound have been determined for near-surface, gas-charged sediments at two sites identified in acoustic profiles and bottom observations. At one site air-driven vibracorer penetrated sediment saturated with methane. The isotopic value suggests that the methane originated from active biological processes operating on peat in the top 4 m of sediment. At the other site, characterized by a large subsurface acoustic anomaly , smaller near-surface acoustic anomalies and active seepage of gas, the vibracorer obtained sediment saturated with gas composed of 98% CO2. Associated with the CO2 are minor concentrations of petroleum-like light hydrocarbons. The carbon isotopic compositions of CO2 and methane along with the chemical distribution of gaseous hydrocarbons indicate that at this site these gases are derived from thermal processes operating at depth in Norton Basin. Apparently CO2 from the decarbonation of marine limestone acts as a carrier for hydrocarbon gases that have been generated from organic matter buried in the basin. The gases reach the surface by faults and escape at the seafloor as a submarine seep. The presence of near-surface gas-charged sediment in Norton Sound reduces the stability of the seafloor. Areas where sediments are charged with gas may pose potential hazards for engineering developments.

Alaska↗