Geochemistry of sediment cores and hydrochemistry of water bottle samples in the North Sea during James Cook cruise JC077

Here we provide geochemical and geophysical evidence for fluid flow within shallow sediments at the recently discovered, 3 -km long Hugin Fracture in the Central North Sea. Although venting of gas bubbles was not observed, concentrations of dissolved methane were significantly elevated (up to six-times background values) in the water column at various locations above the fracture, and microbial mats that form in the presence of methane were observed at the seafloor.

Seismic amplitude anomalies revealed a bright spot at a fault bend that may be the source of the water column methane. Sediment porewaters recovered in close proximity to the Hugin Fracture indicate the presence of fluids from two different shallow (<500 m) sources: (i) a reduced fluid characterized by elevated methane concentrations and/or high levels of dissolved sulfide (up to 6 mmol L-1), and (ii) a low-chlorinity fluid (Cl ~305 mmol L-1) that has low levels of dissolved methane and/or sulfide.