Hi all, RE: Methane and oxygen levels in sea
Oxygen depletion in Arctic waters deserves some more attention. A study by Berkeley Lab and Los Alamos National Laboratory shows that, as global temperature increases and oceans warm, methane releases from clathrates would over time cause depletion of oxygen, nutrients, and trace metals needed by methane-eating microbes, resulting in ever more methane escaping into the air unchanged, to further accelerate climate change. http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2011/05/04/methane-arctic/ How feasible is it to try and add oxygen to water, in efforts to enhance methane oxidation? I found some further descriptions of the use of Mixox equipment to do so. See this report from Finland, at: https://www.soils.org/publications/jeq/articles/30/2/387 On the one hand, adding oxygen bubbles seems beneficial, given the need for oxidation of methane in the water. Also - as John Nissen said elsewhere - bubbles could form an insulating layer in between an ice-cap and warming water underneath the cap. Thirdly, bubbles could brighten the water, changing albedo and thus reflecting more sunlight back into space. On the other hand, though, bubbles could disturb a hydrate and accelerate release of methane. Rising bubbles could take more methane along upwards than they help oxidize. Testing could reveal what impact can be expected. Any further thoughts? Perhaps we should try and invite more people with expertise in this area to the discussions here. Cheers! Sam Carana On Wed, May 11, 2011 at 9:45 AM, Michael Hayes <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Albert, > > I have actually spent some time looking at this type of system for my own > lake. I am thinking through the design engineering details and will keep > this suggestion in mind. > > The use of a bubbler line has two advantage that I think will be important. > In that, being able to adjust the depth of the oxygenation for each site > will be optimize the oxidation time. Also, multiple bubbler lines could be > used to extend the coverage area well beyond the buoy anchorage. This could > greatly reduce the number of units needed to effect a large field of vents. > > The type of mixer you mentioned will be important in regards to low current > areas like a bay or lake. > > Invention can move quickly when it is collaborative. Thanks for your > in-put. > - Show quoted text - > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "geoengineering" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/geoengineering?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "geoengineering" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/geoengineering?hl=en.
