Fluid chemistry and shallow gas hydrate dynamics at active pockmarks of
the Vestnesa Ridge, west Svalbard margin
Abstract
Gas hydrate dynamics and the fluid flow systems from two active
pockmarks along Vestnesa Ridge (offshore west Svalbard) were
investigated through the pore fluid geochemistry obtained during the
2016 MARUM-MeBo 70 drilling cruise. Based on the pore water chloride
concentration profiles from Lunde and Lomvi pockmarks, we estimated up
to 47% pore space occupied by gas hydrate in the sediments shallower
than 11.5 mbsf. These gas hydrates were formed during periods of gaseous
methane seepage, but are now in a state of dynamic equilibrium sustained
by a relatively low methane supply at present. We detect a saline
formation pore fluid around nine meters below seafloor from one of the
seepage sites in Lunde pockmark. This formation pore fluid has elevated
dissolved chloride concentrations and B/Cl ratios, higher δO and δD
isotopic signatures of water and lower δB signatures, which collectively
hint to a high temperature modification of this fluid at great depths.
By integrating our findings with the previous work from Vestnesa Ridge,
we show that the variable fluid phases (gaseous vs. aqueous fluid) and
migration pathways are controlled by the sediment properties, such as
buried carbonate crusts, and the state of fluid reservoirs.