Gas Hydrates

Category: Geography / Geology / Energy / Climate Change

What are Gas Hydrates?

  • Gas hydrates are ice-like crystalline structures in which gas molecules are trapped within water molecules.

  • They are also called clathrate hydrates.

  • Methane is the most important naturally occurring gas in hydrates.

Where Found?

Major environments:

  • Deep-sea sediments

  • Continental margins

  • Permafrost regions.

Importance

  • Potential unconventional energy resource.

  • Large methane storage.

  • Important for understanding:

    • Ocean chemistry

    • Climate change

    • Seafloor geology

    • Methane cycling.

Climate Concern

If gas hydrates destabilise:

  • Methane can potentially be released.

  • Methane is a potent greenhouse gas.

  • Climate warming can influence hydrate stability.

Recent research from Northwest Greenland identified evidence relevant to the destabilisation of gas hydrates and methane release during past deglaciation.

Prelims Pointer

Gas hydrate ≠ ordinary natural gas deposit.
Gas is trapped inside a water-based crystalline lattice.