Methane fluxes in ocean margin sediments: microbiological and geochemical control

Objective

METROL will explore methane production and breakdown in the seabed, and how efficiently the sub-surface methane barrier controls the emission of this important greenhouse gas. METROL integrates European research institutes, an environmental ministry and an oil company as partners. The goal is to develop a general and calibrated model for methane in the seabed to quantify fluxes in European ocean margin areas and predict their response to environmental change. Field observations include European type localities: Baltic Sea - North Sea and Black Sea. Geophysical mapping of gas occurrences will be combined with biogeochemical profiling, process measurements, microbiology, modelling, and data base/GIS analyses. METROL will establish an easily accessible database, an interactive modelling tool, and a web site for efficient dissemination of information and for public awareness of the importance of sea floor methane.

Programme(s)

• FP5-EESD - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002"

Topic(s)

• 1.1.4.-3. - Key action Sustainable Marine Ecosystems

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V.

Address

1,Celsiusstrasse 1
28359 Bremen
Germany

Participants (12)

ADMIRAL DANISH FLEET

Denmark

Address

Sumatravej 3
810 Aarhus C

ALFRED WEGENER INSTITUTE FOR POLAR AND MARINE RESEARCH

Germany

Address

Columbusstrasse
28568 Bremerhaven

AQUATEC

Germany

Address

C/o Mpi Seewiesen
82319 Seewiesen / Starnberg

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

United Kingdom

Address

Park Place
CF10 3YE Cardiff

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF DENMARK AND GREENLAND

Denmark

Address

8,Oester Voldgade 10
2400 Koepenhagen

INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGY OF SOUTHERN SEAS - UKRANIAN NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Ukraine

Address

2,Prospekt Nakhimova 2
99011 Sevastopol

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE - MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

Denmark

Address

Vejlsoevej 25
8600 Silkeborg

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MARINE GEOLOGY AND GEOECOLOGY

Romania

Address

Dimitrie Onciul Street 23-25
70318 Bucuresti

OKTOPUS GMBH

Germany

Address

Kieler Strasse 51
24594 Hohenwestedt

STATOIL ASA

Norway

Address

Artitekt Ebbells Veg 10, Rotvoll
7005 Trondheim

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL

United Kingdom

Address

Queens Road, Wills Memorial Building
BS8 1RJ Bristol, Clifton

UTRECHT UNIVERSITY

Netherlands

Address

Universiteit Utrecht
3508 TC Utrecht