Detection of Methane Hydrate-Bearing Zones from Seismic Data

Abstract. The MITI Nankai Trough wells were drilled offshore Japan in the Tokai area in 1999 and 2000. The occurrence of methane hydrate was confirmed by various indicators in the borehole logs and from core data. These findings have a large impact on potential future Japanese energy resources and other related-scientific interests.
We first tried to find the methane hydrate-bearing zones using interval velocities derived from NMO velocity analysis. However, this analysis produced poor resolution. To achieve a more detailed delineation of the gas hydrate- and gas-bearing zones, we executed a seismic impedance inversion calibrated by the logs from two of the MITI Nankai Trough wells. Although these two wells are only about 90 m apart, we were able to produce an impedance section with fine detail by adopting a simple initial model and incorporating physical properties of the methane hydrate-bearing zones. The locations of the methane hydrate-bearing zones are readily apparent in the final section.     

Application of a Simulation Model for the Formation of Methane Hydrate to the Nankai Trough and the Blake Ridge: Natural Examples of Two End-member Cases

Abstract. Simulation experiments with a one-dimensional static model for formation of methane hydrate are used to demonstrate models of hydrate occurrence and its generation mechanism for two end-member cases. The simulation results compare well with experimental data for two natural examples (the Nankai Trough and the Blake Ridge).
At the MITI Nankai Trough wells, the hydrate occurrence is characterized by strongly hydrated sediments developing just above the BGHS. Such occurrence can be reproduced well by simulation in which the end-member case of upward advective fluid flow from below the BGHS is set. The strongly hydrated sediments is formed by oversaturated solution with free gas which directly enters the BGHS by the upward advective fluid flow. The recycling of dissociated methane of preexisting hydrate also contributes to the increase of hydrate saturation.
At the Site 997 in the Blake Ridge area, the hydrate occurrence is characterized by thick zone with poorly hydrated sediments and no hydrate zone developing above the hydrate zone. Such occurrence can be reproduced well by simulation in which the end-member case of in-situ biogenic production of methane in the sediment of methane hydrate zone is set. The distribution pattern of hydrate saturation is basically controlled by that of TOC. However, the hydrate concentration near the bottom of the hydrate zone is increased by the effect of recycling of dissociated methane of pre-existing hydrate. No hydrate zone expresses the geologic time needed until the local concentration of methane exceeds the solubility by gradual accumulation of in-situ biogenic methane with burial.     

Petrophysical Properties of Natural Gas Hydrates-Bearing Sands and Their Sedimentology in the Nankai Trough

Abstract. The Nankai Trough parallels the Japanese Island, where extensive BSRs have been interpreted from seismic reflection records. High resolution seismic surveys and drilling site-survey wells conducted by the MTI in 1997, 2001 and 2002 have revealed subsurface gas hydrate at a depth of about 290 mbsf (1235 mbsl) in the easternmost part of Nankai Trough. The MITI Nankai Trough wells were drilled in late 1999 and early 2000 to provide physical evidence for the existence of gas hydrate. During field operations, continuous LWD and wire-line well log data were obtained and numerous gas hydrate-bearing cores were recovered. Subsequence sedimentologic and geochemical analyses performed on the cores revealed important geologic controls on the formation and preservation of natural gas hydrate. This knowledge is crucial to predicting the location of other hydrate deposits and their eventual energy resource. Pore-space gas hydrates reside in sandy sediments from 205 to 268 mbsf mostly filling intergranular porosity. Pore waters chloride anomalies, core temperature depression and core observations on visible gas hydrates confirm the presence of pore-space hydrates within moderate to thick sand layers. Gas hydrate-bearing sandy strata typically were 10 cm to a meter thick. Gas hydrate saturations are typically between 60 and 90 % throughout most of the hydrate-dominant sand layers, which are estimated by well log analyses as well as pore water chloride anomalies.
It is necessary for evaluating subfurface fluid dlow behavious to know both porosity and permeability of gas hydrate-bearing sand to evaluate subsurface fluid flow behaviors. Sediment porosities and pore-size distributions were obtained by mercury porosimetry, which indicate that porosities of gas hydrate-bearing sandy strata are approximately 40 %. According to grain size distribution curves, gas hydrate is dominant in fine- to very fine-grained sandy strata.     

The Geochemical Context of Gas Hydrate in the Eastern Nankai Trough

Abstract. Geochemical studies for gas hydrate, gas and organic matter collected from gas hydrate research wells drilled at the landward side of the eastern Nankai Trough, offshore Tokai, Japan, are reported. Organic matter in the 2355 m marine sediments drilled to Eocene is mainly composed of Type III kerogen with both marine and terrigenous organic input. The gas hydrate-bearing shallow sediments are immature for hydrocarbon generation, whereas the sediments below 2100 mbsf are thermally mature. The origins of gases change from microbial to thermogenic at around 1500 mbsf.
Carbon isotope compositions of CH₄ and CO₂, and hydrocarbon compositions consistently suggest that the CH₄ in the gas hydrate-bearing sediments is generated by microbial reduction of CO₂. The δ¹³C depth-profiles of CH₄ and CO₂ suggest that the microbial methanogenesis is less active in the Nankai Trough sediments compared with other gas hydrate-bearing sediments where solid gas hydrate samples of microbial origin were recovered. Since in situ generative-potential of microbial methane in the Nankai Trough sediments is interpreted to be low due to the low total organic carbon content (0.5 % on the average) in the gas hydrate-bearing shallow sediments, upward migration of microbial methane and selective accumulation into permeable sands should be necessary for the high concentration of gas hydrate in discrete sand layers.     

Subsurface Occurrence of Natural Gas Hydrate in the Nankai Trough Area: Implication for Gas Hydrate Concentration

Abstract. The Nankai Trough runs along the Japanese Islands, where extensive BSRs have been recognized in its forearc basins. High resolution seismic surveys and site-survey wells undertaken by the MITI have revealed the gas hydrate distribution at a depth of about 290 mbsf. The MITI Nankai Trough wells were drilled in late 1999 and early 2000. The highlights were successful retrievals of abundant gas hydrate-bearing cores in a variety of sediments from the main hole and the post survey well-2, keeping the cored gas hydrate stable, and the obtaining of continuous well log data in the gas hydrate-dominant intervals from the main hole, the post survey well-1 and the post survey well-3. Gas-hydrate dominant layers were identified at the depth interval from 205 to 268 mbsf. Pore-space hydrate, very small in size, was recognized mostly filling intergranular pores of sandy sediments. Anomalous chloride contents in extracted pore water, core temperature depression, core observations as well as visible gas hydrates confirmed the presence of pore-space hydrates within moderate to thick sand layers. Gas hydrate-bearing sandy strata typically were 10 cm to a meter thick with porosities of about 40 %. Gas hydrate saturations in most hydrate-dominant layers were quite high, up to 90 % pore saturation.
All the gas hydrate-bearing cores were subjected to X-ray CT imagery measurements for observation of undisturbed sedimentary textures and gas-hydrate occurrences before being subjected to other analyses, such as (1) petrophysical properties, (2) biostratigraphy, (3) geochemistry, (4) microbiology and (5) gas hydrate characteristics.     

南海北部天然气水合物富集特征及定量评价

为寻找有资源前景的高富集天然气水合物及水合物储层的精细刻画方法,利用南海6次钻探发现的高饱和度水合物层的测井、岩心和三维地震数据,分析水合物富集层测井与地震异常特征.发现:（1）不同饱和度的孔隙与裂隙充填型水合物层的测井和地震异常不同,裂隙充填型水合物层具有各向异性;（2）受高通量流体运移的影响,在粉砂沉积物的水合物稳定带底界附近能形成中等饱和度的水合物层,识别标志为稳定带内极性与海底一致的强振幅反射,而非BSR和振幅空白;（3）裂隙充填型中等饱和度水合物层在地震剖面上表现为地层上拱和弱-中等强度振幅反射.储层-疏导-气源的耦合控制着水合物的富集特征和分布,断层与流体运移控制着细粒粉砂质沉积物中水合物的富集与厚度.基于饱和度岩相的统计学反演,能识别3 m非水合物和低饱和度水合物层及空间分布.      

Detection and Evaluation of Gas Hydrates in the Eastern Nankai Trough by Geochemical and Geophysical Methods

Abstract: Interstitial waters extracted from the sediment cores from the exploration wells, “BH‐1” and “MITI Nankai Trough”, drilled ～60 km off Omaezaki Peninsula in the eastern Nankai Trough, were analyzed for the chloride and sulfate concentrations to examine the depth profiles and occurrence of subsurface gas hydrates. Cored intervals from the seafloor to 310 mbsf were divided into Unit 1 (～70 mbsf, predominated by mud), Unit 2 (70–150 mbsf, mud with thin ash beds), Unit 3 (150–250+ mbsf, mud with thin ash and sand), and Unit 4 (275–310 mbsf, predominated by mud). The baseline level for Cl “concentrations was 540 mM, whereas low chloride anomalies (103 to 223 mM) were identified at around 207 mbsf (zone A), 234–240 mbsf (zone B), and 258–265 mbsf (zone C) in Unit 3. Gas hydrate saturation (Sh %) of sediment pores was calculated to be 60 % (zone A) to 80 % (zones B and C) in sands whereas only a few percent in clay and silt. The total amount of gas hydrates in hydrate‐bearing sands was estimated to be 8 to 10 m³ of solid gas hydrate per m², or 1.48 km³ CH₄ per 1 km². High saturation zones (A, B and C) were consistent with anomaly zones recognized in sonic and resistivity logs. 2D and high‐resolution seismic studies revealed two BSRs in the study area. Strong BSRs (BSR‐1) at ～263 mbsf were correlated to the boundary between gas hydrate‐bearing sands (zone C) and the shallower low velocity zone, while the lower BSRs (BSR‐2) at～289 mbsf corresponded to the top of the deeper low velocity zone of the sonic log. Tectonic uplift of the study area is thought to have caused the upward migration of BGHS. That is, BSR‐1 corresponds to the new BGHS and BSR‐2 to the old BGHS. Relic gas hydrates and free gas may survive in the interval between BSR‐1 and BSR‐2, and below BSR‐2, respectively. Direct measurements of the formation temperature for the top 170 m interval yield a geothermal gradient of ～4.3d?C/ 100 m. Extrapolation of this gradient down to the base of gas hydrate stability yields a theoretical BGHS at～230 mbsf, surprisingly ～35 m shallower than the base of gas hydrate‐bearing sands (zone C) and BSR‐1. As with the double BSRs, another tectonic uplift may explain the BGHS at unreasonably shallow depths. Alternatively, linear extrapolation of the geothermal gradient down to the hydrate‐bearing zones may not be appropriate if the gradient changes below the depths that were measured. Recognition of double BSRs (263 and 289 mbsf) and probable new BGHS (～230 mbsf) in the exploration wells implies that the BGHS has gradually migrated upward. Tectonically induced processes are thought to have enhanced dense and massive accumulation of gas hydrate deposits through effective methane recycling and condensation. To test the hypothetical models for the accumulation of gas hydrates in Nankai accretionary prism, we strongly propose to measure the equilibrium temperatures for the entire depth range down to the free gas zone below predicted BGHS and to reconstruct the water depths and uplift history of hydrate‐bearing area.     

含天然气水合物土水-力特性联合测试装置及应用

海底天然气水合物(以下简称水合物)的开采会劣化储层的力学性质,威胁钻井平台、破坏开采井甚至可能诱发地质灾害。为探究含水合物沉积物的力学特性及开采扰动下水合物储层的力学强度劣化机理,本文搭建了一套含天然气水合物土水-力特性联合测试装置,主要包括:压力室、压力控制系统,注/除气系统,温度控制系统,数据采集及人机交互管理系统。该装置可实现不同条件下含水合物沉积物试样的合成,并可开展渗透试验、等向压缩试验、以及不同应力路径下三轴压缩试验测试。以细砂作为赋存介质,采用富气法制备含天然气水合物沉积物试样,对其进行了一系列水-力特性试验测试,并对结果进行了简要地分析。这些试验结果证实了装置测试含水合物沉积物水-力学特性的功能和可靠性。     

Overview of the MITI Nankai Trough Wells: A Milestone in the Evaluation of Methane Hydrate Resources

Abstract. Bottom-simulating reflectors suggestive of the presence of methane hydrates are widely distributed below the ocean floor around Japan. In late 1999, drilling of the MITI Nankai Trough wells was conducted to explore this potential methane hydrate resource and a Tertiary conventional structure. The wells are located in the Northwest Pacific Ocean off Central Japan at a water depth of 945 m. A total of six wells were drilled, including the main well, two pilot wells, and three post survey wells at intervals of 10–100 m. All wells except the first confirmed the occurrence of hydrates based on logging-while-drilling, wire-line logging and/or coring using a pressure and temperature coring system in addition to conventional methods. Based on the various well profiles, four methane hydrate-bearing sand-rich intervals in turbidite fan deposits were recognized. Methane hydrates fill the pore spaces in these deposits, reaching saturation of up to 80 % in some layers. The methane hydrate-bearing turbiditic sand layers are less than 1 m thick, with a total thickness of 12–14 m. The bottom depth of high hydrate concentration correlates well with the depth of the bottom-simulating reflector. Based on these exploration results, the Japanese government inaugurated a 16-year methane hydrate exploitation program in 2001.     

Geochemical Process of Gas Hydrate Formation in the Nankai Trough Based on Chloride and Isotopic Anomalies in Interstitial Water

Abstract: Interstitial water expelled from gas hydrate-bearing and -free sediments in the Nankai Trough are analyzed in terms of Cl-, SO₄²-, δ¹⁸O and δD. The baselines for the Cl- concentration and δ¹⁸O value are close to seawater values (530 mM and 0%), indicating that the interstitial water is of seawater origin. The δD values decrease with depth, implying isotopic exchange of hydrogen between upwelling biogenic methane depleted in D and interstitial water. The Cl- concentrations in gas hydrate-bearing sediments are anomalously low, while the δ¹⁸O and δD values are both high, suggesting that the water forming these gas hydrates was poor in Cl- and enriched in ¹⁸O and D during gas hydrate formation. Calculation of the gas hydrate saturations using Cl "and δ¹⁸O anomalies gives results of up to 80 % in sand, and shows that the δ¹⁸O baseline is not consistent with the Cl" baseline. The δ¹⁸O baseline increases by +1% in gas hydrate-free clay and silt. This is considered to be caused by clustering of water molecules after gas hydrate dissociation in response to the upward migration of the base of gas hydrate stability, as indicated by the presence of a double bottom-simulating reflector at this site. The water clusters enriched in ¹⁸O are responsible for the increase in the δ¹⁸O baseline with normal Cl". The abrupt shallowing of the base of gas hydrate stability may induce the dissociation of gas hydrates and the accumulation of gases in the new stability zone, representing a geological process that increases gas hydrate saturation.     

Chemo‐thermo‐mechanically coupled seismic analysis of methane hydrate‐bearing sediments during a predicted Nankai Trough Earthquake

In the present study, we have developed a numerical method which can simulate the dynamic behaviour of a seabed ground during gas production from methane hydrate‐bearing sediments. The proposed method can describe the chemo‐thermo‐mechanical‐seismic coupled behaviours, such as phase changes from hydrates to water and gas, temperature changes and ground deformation related to the flow of pore fluids during earthquakes. In the first part of the present study, the governing equations for the proposed method and its discretization are presented. Then, numerical analyses are performed for hydrate‐bearing sediments in order to investigate the dynamic behaviour during gas production. The geological conditions and the material parameters are determined using the data of the seabed ground at Daini‐Atsumi knoll, Eastern Nankai Trough, Japan, where the first offshore production test of methane hydrates was conducted. A predicted earthquake at the site is used in the analyses. Regarding the seismic response to the earthquake which occur during gas production process, the wave profiles of horizontal acceleration and horizontal velocity were not extensively affected by the gas production. Hydrate dissociation behaviour is sensitive to changes in the pore pressure during earthquakes. Methane hydrate dissociation temporarily became active in some areas because of the main motion of the earthquake, then methane hydrate dissociation brought about an increase in the average pressure of the fluids during the earthquake. And, it was this increase in average pore pressure that finally caused the methane hydrate dissociation to cease during the earthquake. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Terrestrial organic matter controlling gas hydrate formation in the Nankai Trough accretionary prism, offshore Shikoku, Japan

Sediment core samples from Sites 1175, 1176, and 1178, ODP Leg 190, Nankai Trough were analyzed for sedimentary organic matter and inorganic elemental compositions to clarify geochemical conditions for the formation of gas hydrate. Low chloride concentrations and anomalously low core temperature infer the existence of gas hydrate at Site 1178. Trace amounts of gas hydrate are also suggested for Site 1176. Site 1175 does not have any significant evidence of gas hydrate, although all the three sites are within the gas hydrate stability zone. The sediment from Site 1178 is characterized by abundant terrigenous organic matter, older geologic ages, and comparatively higher maturity levels, suggesting high rates of CO₂ generation during diagenesis. The CO₂ generation potential of sediment may be one of the crucial conditions for the formation of gas hydrate.     

基于叠前深度偏移的AVO反演在神狐海域试采区的应用

为了更好地研究神狐海域试采区天然气水合物的展布形态和赋存状况,基于高精度层析速度反演后的叠前深度偏移地震资料进行AVO反演技术研究。为在天然气水合物富集区有效地进行AVO研究,AVO处理前运用叠前深度偏移技术,通过高精度层析反演不断迭代速度模型;然后通过偏移来改善资料的质量,结合实测钻井资料进行AVO正演分析、反演可行性分析、属性交会分析;最后将具有高横向分辨能力的地震资料和高垂向分辨能力的测井资料与地质相结合进行叠前同时反演。该方法可反演出纵、横波阻抗等属性,直接进行岩性和流体识别,结果表明,在AVO反演中引入叠前深度偏移技术,为反演提供了较高质量的叠前共反射点道集和精细的层速度模型,改善了AVO技术在试采区的应用效果,提高了反演的可靠性。反演出的各种属性为AVO分析提供了丰富的信息,能够比较准确地反映地下水合物矿体的展布情况,可用于后续水合物储层的分析及综合研究,对未来的水合物勘探开采具有重要的现实意义。     

Disparity between measured and BSR heat flow in the Xisha Trough of the South China Sea and its implications for the methane hydrate

We calculate the heat flow from the depth of bottom-simulating seismic reflectors (BSRs) on a seismic profile in the Xisha Trough of the South China Sea, and compare them with the probe heat flow measurements. The BSR heat flow turn out to be 32–80 mW/m², significantly lower than the measurements of 83–112 mW/m². Such big disparity cannot be ascribed only to the errors from parameters (parameter errors) that traditionally believed to influence the BSR heat flow. Besides the parameter errors, we discuss emphatically the errors coming from the theoretical assumption for the BSR heat flow determination (theoretical errors), which occur when the BSR depth does not coincide with the base of the methane hydrate stability zone (MHSZ). If BSR stays bellow the base of MHSZ, lying at the top of free gas zone, the derived heat flow would be underestimated. Compared with the parameter errors, the theoretical errors would be relatively larger in some geological settings. The disparity between measured and BSR heat flow in the Xisha Trough might be mainly due to the theoretical error. Based on the theoretical model, assuming that the BSR lying at the top of the free gas zone, the methane flux along the Xisha seismic profile is estimated, and the thickness of the methane hydrate occurrence zone is predicted.     

CFD-DEM simulation of submarine landslide triggered by seismic loading in methane hydrate rich zone

Submarine landslide due to seismic loading in methane hydrate-rich zone was simulated in this study using coupled computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method. Dynamic features and Magnus force were incorporated in the coupling scheme to improve the simulation fidelity in dynamic problem. A sinusoidal type seismic loading was applied to a steep submarine slope, which was characterized by a strong inter-layer of methane hydrate-bearing sediments. The simulation results show that a flow-type sliding occurs and the sliding ends with a gentle slope of accumulated debris material. The fluid flows in an eddy pattern near the sliding mass. The presence of methane hydrate can increase the strength and decrease the damping of the sediment. When MH saturation is low (25 and 30%), the combined seismic loading and particle-fluid interaction damage the MH-rich layer, which allows settlement behind the slope crest and upheaval in front of the slope toe. The two ground deformation patterns (settlement and upheaval) are not observed when MH saturation is high (40 and 50%) because the sediment strength is great enough to resist seismic damage. The lower damping in higher MH saturation sediment allows more energy to be transferred from ground base to potential sliding mass and consequently the sliding initiates earlier. Implications of the simulation results in the assessment of earthquake-induced submarine hazards are discussed.     

天然气水合物地震似海底反射现象AVO正演模型研究

似海底反射(BSR)现象是用人工地震方法识别含天然气水合物沉积地层的重要标志之一。针对水合物沉积物的悬浮、颗粒接触和胶结3种微观模式,进行了似海底反射现象正演模型的研究,考查了BSR现象产生的地震地质原因和运用AVO判断游离气的适用性。研究结果表明:在地震合成记录的帮助下,结合AVO变化曲线,可以认为BSR的成因有两种情况。实际工作中需要运用多种信息的综合分析而不是一种简单固定的模式来解释BSR的复杂成因。水合物沉积的3种微观模式都存在水合物的临界饱和度,当介质中水合物饱和度小于临界饱和度时,可以通过AVO曲线的变化形态来判断水合物沉积层下伏介质中是否含有游离气;而大于临界饱和度时,AVO技术则难以适用。AVO曲线形态、BSR现象与游离气三者之间存在复杂的关系,同样需要通过多种信息的综合分析来解释。     

南海神狐海域天然气水合物声波测井速度与饱和度关系分析

利用南海北部神狐海域A站位的地震和测井资料综合分析神狐海域含天然气水合物沉积层的声波测井速度及水合物饱和度的分布特征和变化规律,并对水合物饱和度的理论计算值和实测值进行对比分析,同时对水合物稳定带的纵波速度特征与饱和度的关系进行了综合研究。结果表明：神狐海域A站位的水合物层厚度约20 m,纵波速度在1 873～2 226m/s之间,水合物饱和度在15.0%～47.3%之间变化,水合物饱和度值相对较高;受海底复杂地质因素的影响,根据岩心孔隙水的氯离子淡化程度实测的水合物饱和度随声波速度的变化并不是单一的正比例关系,而是随声波速度的升高而上下波动,波动幅度在10%～20%之间,总体趋势上随声波速度的升高而升高,并集中分布在理论曲线附近;利用热弹性理论速度模型计算并校正后的水合物饱和度随声波速度的增加而有规律地增加,水合物饱和度的理论计算值与实测数据比较吻合,说明所建立的岩石物理模型正确,模型参数选取合理。根据声波速度计算水合物饱和度这一方法可扩展到整个研究区域,并为研究区的水合物资源量评价提供基础数据。     

水合物储层伺服降压开采模型试验研究

深海水合物赋存于一定的温度和压力环境下,降压开采时降压速率对分解产气速率和储层变形特性影响显著。利用浙江大学自主研发的水合物降压开采试验装置,通过伺服控制降压速率,初步开展了水合物储层模型降压开采试验,研究了储层温度场、孔压场、产气量等的响应特性,探讨了降压速率对产气效率和储层变形特性的影响规律。试验表明：水合物竖井降压开采时,开采井周围储层温度率先下降,分解域由井周逐步向周围发展。适当提高降压速率能够提高储层开采效率,但降压速率过快时易导致水合物重生成,反而不利于水合物高效持续稳定开采,开采时应选择合理的降压速率以达到最优产气效率。开采过程中根据储层孔隙与外界连通程度,储层孔隙状态可分为完全封闭型、局部封闭型和开放型3种类型。储层开采试验完成后,浅层土体出现 3 种不同变形特征的区域：I 区为井周土层,呈漏斗型下陷;II 区土层平坦,无明显扰动痕迹;III 区为边界土层,该处水气产出受阻导致部分气体向上迁移引起土丘状隆起带出现。这些变形特征与气体在储层中的迁移路径和运移模式相关。通过相似性分析,给出了模型与原型分解时间和产气量等的对应关系。     

南海神狐海域X区块天然气水合物的控制因素

为了探讨南海神狐海域X区块天然气水合物的控制因素,开展了高分辨地震资料精细解释和天然气水合物地震相研究。结果显示,X区块存在3条主控断层和众多滑塌断层;预测的稳定带内水合物呈多层分布,稳定带底部水合物层厚度较大、连续性较好。结合地震反射特征和可能的气源讨论初步认为,X区块天然气水合物的成藏模式主要有两种类型:在断裂或滑塌构造发育区,水合物的气源以热解成因气为主,水合物呈多层分布;在构造平缓地区,水合物的气源以生物成因气为主,水合物呈单层分布,且主要分布在似海底反射(BSR)之上一个狭窄的范围内。     

Dating of Dissolved Iodine in Pore Waters from the Gas Hydrate Occurrence Offshore Shimokita Peninsula,Japan: 129I Results from the D/V Chikyu Shakedown Cruise

Iodine concentration and radioisotopic composition (¹²⁹I/I) were measured in the pore waters from the gas hydrate occurrence in the forearc basin offshore Shimokita Peninsula, north-eastern Japan, to determine the source formation of I and accompanying hydrocarbons. Iodine concentrations correlate well with the alkalinity and SO₄ patterns, reflecting degradation stages of I-rich buried organic matter, rapidly increasing in the sulfate reduction interval, and becoming constant below 250 meters below the seafloor with an upwelling flux of 1.5 × 10⁻¹¹ µmol cm⁻² year⁻¹. The ¹²⁹I/I ratios of 300 × 10⁻¹⁵–400 × 10⁻¹⁵ in deep pore waters suggest ages for iodine and hydrocarbon sources as old as 40 Ma. These ages correlate well with the coaly source formations of the Eocene age thought to be responsible for the conventional natural gas deposits underlying the gas hydrate stability zone. Similar profiles are observed in ¹²⁹I/I ratios of pore waters in the gas hydrate stability zone from the forearc basin in the eastern Nankai Trough, offshore central Japan, where pore waters are enriched in I and reach ages as old as ∼50 Ma through the sediment column. At the outer ridge site along the trough, on the other hand, relatively younger I are more frequently delivered probably through thrusts/faults associated with subduction. The nature of source formations of I and hydrocarbons in the offshore Shimokita Peninsula has a more terrestrial contribution compared with those in the Nankai Trough, but these formations are also considerably older than the host sediments, suggesting long-term transport of I and hydrocarbons for the accumulation of gas hydrates in both locations.