In situ Raman detection of gas hydrate in the South China Sea

  • Zengfeng Du
  • , Yue Wu
  • , Xin Zhang
  • , Zhendong Luanxy
  • , Xiujuan Wang
  • , Shichuan Xi
  • , Lianfu Li
  • , Lei Cao
  • , Chao Lian
  • , Bing Wang
  • , Jun Yan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Natural gas hydrate is a great potential energy source in the future, and it also plays a significant roe in the study of global climate change. In past decades, natural gas hydrate is usually studied in laboratory by simulators or studied using the hydrate samples. However, it is a big challenge for the simulating devices to completely recreate field conditions for gas hydrate study. Here we report the first discovery of natural gas hydrates (NGH) exposed on the seafloor in the South China Sea (SCS). Synthetic gas hydrate (SGH) is quickly formed for the first time by the fluids and bubbles erupted from the active cold seeps in the SCS. The NGH and SGH samples are in situ detected by a Raman insertion probe for gas hydrate (RiP-Gh) which is deployed and controlled by the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Faxian. The in situ Raman spectra of the NGH suggest that the newly formed gas hydrate is Structure I but contains a small amount of gaseous CH 4 , C-{3}H-{8} and H 2 S, which are consistent with the results SHG. Authigenic carbonate debris or other debris serving as nucleation particles, and the gas-water interface were proposed as two factors which can promote the formation of synthetic gas hydrate. Overall, our work demonstrates the components of NGH and SGH near the active cold seep vent in the South China Sea, and suggests a new explanation for the quick formation of gas hydrate compared to that in laboratory simulation work.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOCEANS 2018 MTS/IEEE Charleston, OCEAN 2018
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781538648148
DOIs
StatePublished - 7 Jan 2019
Externally publishedYes
EventOCEANS 2018 MTS/IEEE Charleston, OCEANS 2018 - Charleston, United States
Duration: 22 Oct 201825 Oct 2018

Publication series

NameOCEANS 2018 MTS/IEEE Charleston, OCEAN 2018

Conference

ConferenceOCEANS 2018 MTS/IEEE Charleston, OCEANS 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCharleston
Period22/10/1825/10/18

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