HR: 0800h
AN: OS51B-04    [Abstracts]
TI: Geologic Characteristics of Hydrocarbon Seeps in the Gulf of Mexico That Potentially Contribute to the Development of Sea Surface Slicks
AU: * Dalthorp, M M
EM: mdalthorp@sbcglobal.net
AU: MacDonald, I
EM: Ian.Macdonald@tamucc.edu
AU: Naehr, T
AU: Garcia, O
EM: opineda@kestrel.tamucc.edu
class='hr'> AB: Numerous Gulf of Mexico hydrocarbon seeps are well documented through studies of chemosynthetic communities, seafloor deposits, and gas hydrates associated with seeps. Furthermore, sea surface oil slicks can be identified on satellite images, and subsurface geology can be determined through geophysical recordings. Initial reviews of satellite images indicate that certain areas with recurring surface slicks are associated with known seafloor chemosynthetic communities. However some areas with documented seafloor chemosynthetic communities produce no sea surface hydrocarbon slicks. The relationship of sea surface slicks to underlying seafloor seeps is influenced by several geologic characteristics and these characteristics may determine which seeps develop into surface slicks. Site specific studies have investigated the relationship of hydrocarbon seeps to seismic character, carbonate character, geothermal patterns, source and pathway, chemosynthetic communities, mineralogy and geochemistry, gas hydrates, and remote sensing of slicks. An improved understanding of factors influencing Gulf of Mexico hydrocarbon seep and surface slick relationships will contribute to a more accurate assessment of natural seep contributions to the global carbon cycle.
DE: 3045 Seafloor morphology, geology, and geophysics
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly