Quantitative Study of Methane Sequestration by Hydrate-Encapsulated Bubbles at Cold Seeps: Kinetic Characteristics and Environmental Implications

Hydrate formation serves as a key natural barrier restricting methane escape, but its kinetic mechanisms remain poorly quantified due to limited in situ monitoring capabilities. Here, we employ time-series Raman spectroscopy to conduct quantitative monitoring of methane hydrate growth kinetics and coupled methane sequestration behavior across various fluid-bubble flows.

Time-resolved spectral data clearly capture real-time variations in the concentration and conversion ratio of multiphase methane during hydrate growth, quantitatively revealing the dynamic evolution patterns and regulatory mechanisms in cold-seep environments. Experimental results indicate that the growth rate accelerates and the occupancy of large cages in cold-seep bubble flows increases by 15% relative to that of small cages influenced by low salinity and small solid particles.