CAGE – Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate Report Series
The Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate (CAGE) investigates the role of gas hydrates in Arctic areas and the potential effects they will have on underwater ecosystems and our global climate in the future. This report series is a collection of reports and the main results from 2013 to 2023, including annual reports, cruise reports, scientific publications, theses, CAGE website blogs, and science communication. To find out more about our research, we welcome you to visit the CAGE website.
After a successful decade as a Centre of Excellence funded by the Norwegian Research Council, the Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate (CAGE) will draw to a close at the end of February 2023. In this final report, we reflect on the extraordinary accomplishments, impacts, and legacy from the second phase of CAGE (2017-2023). The first phase of the Centre (2013-2017) was reported in the CAGE Annual 2016 Report.
Copyright (c) 2023 Karin Andreassen, Mariana da Silveira Ramos Esteves, Fabio Sarti, Zeynep Sancak Sert https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE17-2 Cruise Report: Gas hydrate deposits and methane seepages in Storfjordrenna, Northern Flank of Olga Basin, and West Sentralbanken (Barents Sea): Biogeochemical and biological investigations
The main goal of CAGE 17-2 AMGG cruise was to study the gas-hydrate-bearing system and methane emission off south and east of Spitsbergen in Storfjordrenna and the northern flank of Olga Basin (named here Olga craters) respectively, and in the West Sentralbanken. We addressed this through a comprehensive scientific program comprising dives with the MISO-Tow Cam adapted to the multicorer frame from UiT-NPI (TowCam/Multicorer, TCM), methane measurements in sediments, water column, and in air, sediment coring (multicorer + gravity corer), water column and sediment biogeochemistry, microbiology, micropaleontology, and bathymetric mapping. Cruise CAGE 17-2 was also hosting this year’s AMGG research school cruise with masters, PhD and post-doc students participating. The areas investigated were: Storfjordrenna, Pingos site (ca 380 m water depth), Northern Flank of Olga Basin (ca 140 m water depth) West Sentralbanken (ca 200 m water depth) We planned the following activities during the CAGE 17-2 cruise: EM 302 Simrad swath bathymetry mapping to identify seabed morphology Mapping of flare distributions CTD stations at different water depths and in different areas for measurements of ocean water masses characteristics, and water sampling for water/gas chemistry and microbiology investigations across methane seeps. TCM surveys (video-camera) to image seabed fluid flow expressions, sites of bacteria mats, crusts and gas bubbles. Repeated deployments with TCM to sample surficial and shallow sediments with respect to microbiology, geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and micropaleontology. Gravity corer for studying sediment biogeochemistry, biomarkers, microbiology, and foraminifera. Scrape sampling to collect rocks and crusts. Gas Chromatographer (GC) to measure methane concentration in the water and sediment samples. Flasks Restek, Electro-Polished Miniature Canister (1000 cc) for air samples. Part of the cruise was supported by NPD, Oljedirektoratet. Special thanks to Rune Mattingsdal, NPD. The cruise may be known as: CAGE17_2
Copyright (c) 2023 Giuliana Panieri, Nikolitsa Alexandropoulou, Kine L. Bruvik, Vincent Carrier, Pierre-Antoine Dessandier, Knut Ola Dølven, Espen Valberg, Daniel Fornari, Friederike Gründger, Gregory J. Kurras, Haoyi Yao, Truls holm, Matteus Lindgren, Katarzyna Melaniuk, Bjørn R. Olsen, Siri Ofstad, Henry Patton, Rowan Romeyn, Simone Sauer, Arunima Sen, Mohamed Sert https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
From the afternoon of May 19th to the early morning of June 2nd 2017, CAGE-WP6 at the Department of Geology Uit, the Arctic University of Norway, arranged a scientific cruise aimed at investigating sediment cores and porewater, and water masses, at the western Svalbard margin, Fram Strait, East Greenland Ridge, and Storfjorden Trough, visiting methane seep sites off Vestnesa Ridge, and in Storfjorden Trough on R/V “Helmer Hanssen”. Investigated areas were (in order of visiting sites on the cruise): Prins Karls Forland (PKF) (overlap with ‘leg 1’ 17th to 19th of May – see Leg 1 report), southern Yermak Plateau, Vestnesa Ridge, East Greenland Ridge, Storfjorden Trough and Storfjorden. The scientific sampling was done within the framework of several ongoing projects at the Department of Geology, University of Tromsø: “CAGE – Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate”-WP6: “Methane Release, Ocean Acidification and CO2”. Planned surveys north of Svalbard was abandoned due to extensive sea ice cover and the East Greenland Ridge was surveyed instead. Sea ice over outer Vestnesa prevented surveys there and Storfjorden trough was also completely covered, but the sea ice broke up towards the end of the cruise and thus could be surveyed during the very last part of the cruise. A total of 15 gravity cores (c. 60 m), and 20 CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) casts were performed along the western Svalbard margin (Vestnesa and PKF and Yermak). Data were also collected at East Greenland Ridge and in Storfjorden Trough and Storfjorden, brine overflow was detected. The CTD casts and chirp- and multibeam lines from PKF May 17-19th are reported in the cruise report for Leg 1. Chirp profiles and multibeam lines were acquired during transits and in surveys (mapping of East Greenland Ridge, moraine systems and basins in Storfjorden Trough, active and inactive pockmarks at Vestnesa Ridge and over and to find potential core sites. The cruise may be known as: CAGE17_1_leg2
Copyright (c) 2023 Tine L. Rasmussen, Tove Nielsen, Troels Laier, Bjørn R. Olsen, Steinar Iversen, Mohamed Sert, Per Jansson, Pavel Serov https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE17-4 Cruise Report: Recovery of observatory and water column survey offshore Svalbard
The cruise was conducted from August 3rd to 5th 2017 as part of the Centre of Excellence for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate (CAGE) at UiT –The Arctic University of Norway. The main goal of the cruise was to recover the observatory K-Lander 2 deployed in October 2016 offshore Svalbard, at the same location where OS2 was deployed in June 2015 and recovered in May 2016. The present cruise also aimed at continuing the water samples and CTD survey on the shallow shelf and the shelf edge presenting extensive flares western Svalbard. The addressed scientific topics include quantification of methane concentration in the water column, temperature and salinity (via CTD casts), echosounder and multibeam signals and current (amplitude and direction). The cruise may be known as: CAGE17_4
Copyright (c) 2023 Bénédicte Ferré https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The overall goal of cruise CAGE 17-3 is to collect seismic, multibeam and water column data in an area along the northern flank of the Bear island trough and on the W-Svalbard margin. The objectives associated with the overall goal are to better understand the occurrence of gas hydrates and fluid leakage, the source of the gas in these systems, and seafloor expressions of fluid seepage. In order to address these objectives we plan to carry out: 2D and 3D P-Cable seismic and ocean-bottom seismic acquisition over a complex leakage and source-to-sink plumbing system in the Leirdjupet Fault complex in the SW Barents Sea; Recovery of one of CAGE’s ocean floor observatory from the crater area at the northern flank of the Bear Island Trough; Repeat of P-Cable 3D seismic acquisition on the eastern segment of the Vestnesa Ridge for time-lapse seismic studies of fluid flow and gas hydrates dynamics; 2D multi-channel seismic for reconnaissance and stratigraphic correlation in the Molloy Ridge area; Multibeam mapping to fill in gaps and improve resolution of existing data using the upgraded EM302 system on R/V Helmer Hanssen The cruise may be known as: CAGE17_3
Copyright (c) 2023 Stefan Bünz https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE17-5 Cruise Report: Marine Geophysical Cruise to the Yermak Plateau and western Svalbard continental margin
The cruise was a part of the Centre of Excellence for Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate (CAGE) at UiT ‐ The Arctic University of Norway. The cruise had the following scientific objectives: Geomorphic mapping of seafloor features at the Yermak Plateau, as far north as possible aiming at identifying ice flow orientations. Improve the seismic stratigraphy along the western Svalbard continental margin, using the ODP holes 910C and 912A of the Yermak Plateau and the ODP hole 986 west of Svalbard. Investigate fluid-flow features related to gas hydrate bearing sediments The cruise may be known as: CAGE17_5
Copyright (c) 2023 Andreassen Karin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Arctic Marine Geology and Geophysics cruise to the northern Svalbard Margin and the Yermak Plateau
From the evening of July 23rd to the morning of August 1st, the Department of Geosciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, arranged an educational cruise to the northern Svalbard Margin/Yermak Plateau (Figure 1) for the courses GEO-3144 and GEO-8144 (Marine geology and geophysics cruise). The main aim of the cruise was to introduce the students to work at sea, which included acquisition of marine geological data (acoustic data and sediment cores) and lab analyses of split gravity cores. The students worked 12-hour shifts during the cruise The cruise may be known as: IG19-3_AMGG
Copyright (c) 2023 Tom A. Rydningen, Amando P. E. Lasabuda, Rowan Romeyn, Bjørn R. Olsen, Truls Holm https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE17-1-Leg1 Cruise Report: Water column observation from CTD and water samples west of Prins Karls Forland, Svalbard
From the afternoon of May 15th to the afternoon of May 19th, CAGE-Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Climate and Environment, the Department of Geoscience UiT, the Arctic University of Norway, arranged a scientific cruise to survey offshore Prins Karls Forland, Svalbard to perform CTD measurements and water sampling on R/V “Helmer Hanssen”. The purpose is to study the variations in methane release and its dependence on oceanographic changes. The area has been continuously surveyed for the last three years for methane concentration, and methane consumption by bacteria and other related data. Because of the good weather conditions time allowed survey of the outer part of the shelf west of Prins Karls Forland – the socalled ‘Masox area’. Here three CTD’s were taken and the area surveyed by echosounding (EK60), chirp and multibeam for combined flare survey (EK60) and geological recording of sedimentary environments (chirp and multibeam). A total of 69 CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) casts were performed with 12 water bottles sampled for each CTD station. The cruise may be known as: CAGE17_1_leg1
Copyright (c) 2023 Tine L. Rasmussen, Helge Niemann, Friederike Gründger, Per Jansson, Muhammed Fatih Sert, Pavel Serov, Vincent Carrier https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE15-7 Cruise Report: GEO8144/3144 – Marine Geology and Geophysics Cruise, Greenhouse Gases in the Ocean
From the late afternoon of July 23rd to the morning of August 3rd, 2015, the Department of Geology Uit, the Arctic University of Norway, arranged a AMGG-Research School scientific teaching cruise aimed atinvestigating the western and northern Svalbard margin and the Barents Sea, the Fram Strait to east Greenland, methane seep sites at Vestnesa, Prins Karls Forland and Storfjorden Trough and on R/V “Helmer Hanssen”. Investigated areas were (in order of visiting sites on the cruise): west of Prins Karls Forland, Vestnesa Ridge, Molloy Deep, Fram Strait, East Greenland margin, Smeerenburgfjorden, Hinlopen, Storfjorden, Storfjorden Trough, and Leirdjupet south of Spitsbergenbanken. The scientific sampling was done within the framework of several ongoing projects at the Department of Geology, University of Tromsø: “CAGE – Centre for Arctic Gashydrate, Environment and Climate”, in which the sub-projects “Paleo-CIRCUS”, “OA-Ocean Acidification” is included. The responsible for this year’s course in GEO8144/GEO3144 is Prof. T.L. Rasmussen. A total of 26 gravity cores, 5 piston cores, 12 plankton net casts and 27 CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) casts were performed at the planned stations. A total of 86.3 km (46 nm) of airgun surveys were run. 108.97 m mud was obtained in total. Chirp profiles and multibeam lines were acquired during transits and during surveys in Storfjorden, Storfjorden Trough and Leirdjupet. In addition, CTD’s and a small chirp and multibeam survey was performed Storfjorden and in Leirdjupet and airgun lines were run in Storfjorden Trough. The recording of echo-sounding started from c. 78 °N on the shelf outside Isfjorden and ended at c. 72 °N, with pauses when passing through protected areas of Svalbard (Smeerenburgfjorden and Hinlopen and respecting the 12 nm zone in Storfjorden). The cruise may be known as: CAGE15_7_AMGG
Copyright (c) 2023 Tine L. Rasmussen, Tove Nielsen, Antoon Kuijpers, Kamila Sztybor, Mohamed Ezat, Simon P. Jessen, Noortje Haugstvedt https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE15-6 Cruise Report: Arctic gas hydrate studies
RV Helmer Hanssen is the only vessel operating so far north (81 N) in October. One of the research questions addressed during this cruise is: Where do gas hydrate exist in the seabed and how much methane does it actually release? The CAGE 15-6 cruise explored potential gas hydrate charged sub-seabed environments and gas release zones at Storfjordrenna, Vestnesa and Svyatogor Ridge, Yermak Plateau, Sofia Basin and west of Prins Karls Foreland. Our route was traceable by www.sailwx.com. The weather forecasts from www.windyty.comwere used to prepare and adjust our cruise activities. In these Barents Sea-Arctic areas we carried out seismic profiling (mini GI 15/45 in 3 and large GI45/105 in 3) and 6 m long gravity coring for detecting gas hydrate, acoustic profiling (18, 38 and 120 kHz) for detecting gas flares in the water column, and CTD water sampling for gas analyses. Multibeam bathymetry mapping (EM300) data was collected on route for the entire cruise. We also ran echo sounder profiles along the NW Svalbard margin, across Yermak Plateau from west to east into the Sofia Basin and upslope towards the northern Svalbard margin. We reached the upper gas hydrate stability (GHSZ) theoretical outcrop zone but no acoustic evidence for extended gas release activity was found along the GHSZ outcrop zone at Yermak Plateau. The cruise may be known as: CAGE15_6
Copyright (c) 2023 Jürgen Mienert, Wei-L. Hong, Per Jansson, Kate A. Waghorn, Malin Waage, Sunny Singhroha, Giacomo Osti, Haoyi Yao, Steinar Iversen, Bjørn R. Olsen, Karianne Heimdal, Suchada Krokmyrdal, Rowan Romeyn, Jack Triest, Roberto Grilli https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE15-5 Cruise Report: Marine Geological Cruise to Storfjordrenna, Bjørnøyrenna and Thor Iversenbanken
The cruise was a part of the Centre of Excellence for Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate (CAGE) at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. The cruise aimed at investigating areas with gas venting from the seabed in central Bjørnøyrenna and outer Storfjordrenna, as well as subglacial meltwater systems in Thor Iversenbanken, central Barents Sea. More specific objectives included: Acquisiton of a P-cable 3D seismic survey over part of a large crater and pingo field in central Bjørnøyrenna Sampling gas in water, sediments and air in areas of gas venting within the crater and pingo field Acquisiton of gravity cores for identification of palaeo-subglacial lakes in Thor Iversenbanken Acquisiton of 2D seismic across subglacial meltwater systems in Thor Iversenbanken Acqusition of 2D seismic across pingos identified in Storfjordrenna Sampling of gas in air in the area where pingos have been identified in Storfjordrenna The cruise may be known as: CAGE15_5
Copyright (c) 2023 Karin Andreassen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE 15-4 was a short 3-day cruise with only one major objective which is to repeat a P-cable survey covering the active seeps on the Vestnesa Ridge in order to develop time-lapse 4D seismic studies of gas leakage. Three OBS stations were also deployed during the 3D seismic survey. The cruise may be known as: CAGE15_4
The cruise had two main objectives: Deployment of the two CAGE ocean floor observatories (OS1 and OS2) at shallow PKF site and deeper PKF site; CAGE ocean floor observatories were designed and build as collaborative work of CAGE scientists with Kongsberg engineers. Observatories have identical set up except that only one of them have side looking multibeam. The set up is: Seabed Platform/seabed lander/mooring frame (x2) – OS1 has black mooring frame, OS2 has grey mooring frame, CTD (x2), Oxygen sensor (x2), CH4 sensor (x2), CO2 sensor (x2), pH sensor (x1), Fluorometer (x2), ADCP (x2), Current profiler (x1), Multibeam echosounder (x1) – grey lander, OS2, Broadband Hydrophone (x2), Flowmeter (x2) For specific description of each lander, please refer to ‘taking over’ documents (WP4 team leader). Landers and sensors arrived to Tromsø with a track from Hamburg, A. Silyakova was a reference person to receive goods and shipping documents. Time period between 24 and 26 of June was the assemblage of observatories and tests of telemetry/communication/camera on a launcher. Pär Jeanson (PhD student WP4) and Reidar Kaasa (substitute engineer instead of Anoop in WP4) from CAGE were assigned to receive training on observatory assemblage/communication. 26 of June – taking over procedure. Sites for the deployment were discussed during preparatory phase. Water depth at the sites could not exceed 500 meters due to restrictions in relation to the recovery rope, which is only 500 meters long. Photographs from the tow cam used during CAGE 15-2 cruise (chief scientist on the cruise G. Panieri) revealed sites with bacterial mats on the ocean floor. Prior each deployment we did echosounder and multibeam survey to know where flares are highly concentrated. Information from the survey was mapped instantly. Target spots for both observatories were chosen based on all this combined information. Oceanographic survey in the area of shallow PKF methane flares; From the “Testing seep fertilization hypothesis” proposal:‘ During cruise CAGE 14-1 the USGS-GAS system detected elevated methane fluxes near the coast and over the shelf seep site in ca. 90m water depth. Methane fluxes above the 240 and 400m site are much less, although slightly elevated with respect to the open ocean (e.g. Vestnesa). Unexpectedly, high methane concentrations (up to 20nM) are often accompanied by low CO2 concentrations. Initial estimates of the total CO2 budget show that under those conditions seep areas are CO2 sinks. What are the biological, geochemical and hydrographic conditions that made these seeps a CO2 sink? Are the observations from CAGE 14-1 repeatable? And ultimately, what are the processes causing the strong CO2 consumption.’It was decided to test seep fertilization hypothesis during CAGE 15-3 cruise by conducting comprehensive water sampling for biogeochemical environment in the entire water column above the area of methane flares. At the same time, USGS-GAS system was onboard allowing to simultaneously measuring surface water/lower atmosphere gas concentrations. This potentially allows calculating vertical gas flux from one realm to another. Depending on available time, collaborators equipment and human resources, water from 64 CTD stations was samples for following parameters: CH4 concentration; discrete sampling to introduce into CDRS system – 13C CH4, CO2; pH; DIC and 13C DIC; DOC; MOx; FISH; DNA; DMSP; CDOM; Nutrients (nitrate, silicate, phosphate). The cruise may be known as: CAGE15_3
Copyright (c) 2023 Anna Silyakova, Pavel Serov, Pär Jansson, Friederike Gründger, Helge Niemann, Carolyn Graves, Erna O. Arnadottir, Peter Linke, Carsten Frank, Oliver Rubinke, John Pohlman, Lee-Gray Boze, Cedric Magen, Fenix Garcia Tigrero, Steinar Iversen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE15-2 Cruise Report: Gas hydrate deposits and methane seepages offshore western Svalbard and Storfjordrenna: Biogeochemical and biological investigations
The main goal of CAGE 15-­2 cruise was to study the gas hydrate system and methane emissions off western Svalbard and in Storfjordrenna. We addressed this through a comprehensive scientific program comprising dives with the MISO-­‐Tow Cam adapted to the multicorer frame from UiT-­‐NPI (TowCam/Multicorer, TCM), methane measurements in sediments and water column, sediment coring (multicorer + gravitycorer), water column and sediment biogeochemistry, microbiology, micropaleontology, macrobiology, and bathymetric mapping. In addition, during the ecosounder and TCM surveys we collected data for selecting the locations for the CAGE observatories to be deployed during the cruise. The areas investigated were: W Prins Karls Forland (two sites at ca 90 m and 240 m water depth), An area located at the coordinate 78N 08E called “site 7808” (ca 90 m water depth; marker CAGE 882), Vestnesa Ridge (ca 1200 m water depth; markers CAGE 888 and 895), Storfjordrenna (two sites at ca 350, benthic station SR1, and 390 m water depth, Pingos site; marker CAGE 933), Craters area (ca 350 m water depth). We planned the following activities during the CAGE 15-­2 cruise: EM 300 Simrad swath bathymetry mapping to identify seabed morphology Mapping of flare distributions CTD stations at different water depths and in different areas for measurements of ocean water masses characteristics, and water sampling for water/gas chemistry and microbiology investigations across methane seeps. TCM surveys (video-­‐camera) to image seabed fluid flow expressions, sites of bacteria mats and gas bubbles. These results were used to define sampling stations and collect data for the future deployment of CAGE observatories (cruise CAGE15-­‐3) Repeated deployments with TCM to sample surficial and shallow sediments with respect to microbiology, geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and micropalentology. Gravity corer for studying sediment biogeochemistry, biomarkers, microbiology, and foraminifera. Van Veen grabs sampling for studying macrofauna. Scrape sampling to collect fauna communities and possible carbonate blocks. The cruise may be known as: CAGE15_2
Copyright (c) 2023 Giuliana Panieri, William Ambrose, Emmelie Åström, Michael L. Carroll, Daniel Fornari, Sophie J. George, Carolyn Graves, Friederike Gründger, Wei-L. Hong, Gregory J. Kurras, Andrea Schneider, Giacomo Osti, Pavel Serov, Anna Silyakova, Mette M. Svenning, Marta Torres https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE16-7 Cruise Report: Deployment of observatories and water column survey in the Barents Sea and offshore Svalbard
The cruise was conducted from October 16th to 25th 2016 as part of the Centre of Excellence for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate (CAGE) at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. The main goal of the cruise was to deploy two observatories in the pingo-crater area (“Yin Yang”) in the Barents Sea, and offshore Svalbard at the same location where OS2 was deployed in June 2015 and recovered in May 2016. The exact targeted location was determined according to multibeam analysis in order to deploy in the vicinity of bubble streams. The previously K-Landers called OS1 (black) and OS2 (grey) are now called K-Lander 1 and K-Lander 2. They contain a CH4 sensor, a CO2 sensor, a CTD, a pH meter, and a hydrophone. K-Lander 1 contains in addition a DVS (Doppler volume sampler) as the broken ADCP did not arrive on time for the deployment. K-Lander 2 contains in addition an ADCP, a transmissometer (for turbidity measurement) and an M3 (Multibeam echosounder). The present cruise also aimed at investigating an area of extensive flares western Svalbard, particularly the shallow shelf and shelf edge. The addressed scientific topics include quantification of methane concentration in the water column, temperature and salinity (via CTD casts), echosounder and multibeam signals and current (amplitude and direction) The cruise may be known as: CAGE16_7
Copyright (c) 2023 Bénédicte Ferré, Alexey Portmov, Per Jansson, Panagiotis Axaopoulos, Carsten Frank, Roy Sorensen, Bjørn R. Olsen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The overall goal of cruise CAGE 16-6 is to collect seismic, multibeam and water column data on the W-Svalbard margin and in the outer parts of the Storfjord Trough. The objectives associated with the overall goal are to better understand the occurrence of gas hydrates and fluid leakage, the source of the gas in these systems, and seafloor expressions of fluid seepage. In order to address these objectives we plan to carry out: P-Cable 3D seismic acquisition over gas hydrate and fluid flow areas with potential abiogenic gas sources; P-Cable 3D seismic acquisition over gas-hydrated pingo structures in the Storfjorden Trough; Recovery of 5 OBS stations that were deployed at the Lunde pockmark in October last year for long-term monitoring of microseismicity; Acquisition of additional OBS seismic data to fill gaps in existing data on the eastern segment of the Vestnesa Ridge; 2D multi-channel seismic for reconnaissance and stratigraphic correlation; Multibeam mapping to fill in gaps and improve resolution of existing data using the upgraded EM302 system on R/V Helmer Hanssen; Water column mapping of gas flaring on the Vestnesa Ridge using the upgraded EM302 system on R/V Helmer Hanssen The cruise may be known as: CAGE16_6
CAGE16-5 Cruise Report: ROV-based Geological and Biological Investigations of Methane Seeps at Prins Karls Forland, Storfjordrenna Pingos and Bjørnøyrenna Craters
The cruise was an activity in of the Centre of Excellence for Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate (CAGE) at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. The overall aim of the cruise was to utilize the NTNU/AMOS SK30k ROV for seafloor mapping and targeted sample collection at selected CAGE sites, focusing on methane seepage areas west and south of Svalbard. More specific objectives of the cruise were to: Use an ROV-mounted multibeam system to acquire very high resolution (10cm) seabed bathymetry in areas of methane seeps Conduct detailed visual seabed surveys for habitat mapping and photomosaicking at specific seep features Collect seabed samples of authigenic carbontate crusts, sediments, microbes, foraminifera and macro organisms associated with methane seeps from the ROV, and complimented with more traditional sampling methods Continue time series investigations of water column measurements of methane concentrations, and of methane oxidizing microbes in the seawater Net sampling for planktic forams at seeps Sampling activities were designed with a multi-disciplinary approach, with research groups from all CAGE work packages working together in the same locations to develop a holistic understanding of the geological, oceanographic and biological components at key methane seep sites. This cruise prioritized the acquisition of information for mapping seabed features and habitat characterizations (e.g. photomosaicking, visual information) combined with in-situ site sampling using ROV technologies, and complimented by our ‘traditional’ technologies (e.g. CTD, net, and coring devices). With these objectives in mind, the strategy for each of the selected locations is to first carry out visual survey work to acquire framework measurements and data to be of use for all groups within CAGE, followed by a consolidated sampling plan to satisfy the needs of individual researchers for sample material The cruise may be known as: CAGE16_5
Copyright (c) 2023 Michael L. Carroll https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE16-4 Cruise Report: Recovery of observatories and water column survey offshore Svalbard
The cruise occurred from May 1st to May 9th 2016 and was part of the Centre of Excellence for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate (CAGE) at UiT – The Arctic of Norway. The main goal of the cruise was to recover two observatories that were deployed on June 30th and July 2nd 2015 during CAGE 15-3 (chief scientist Anna Silyakova). The sites were selected according to pictures taken during CAGE 15-2 cruise (chief scientist Giuliana Panieri) illustrating bacterial mats on the sea floor. The exact locations were decided just prior to deployment according to flare locations. The present cruise also aimed at investigating an area of extensive flares western Svalbard, particularly the shallow shelf and shelf edge. The addressed scientific topics include quantification of methane concentration in the water column, dissolved inorganic carbon, pH, microbial activity and identification, nutrients, DMSP, CDOM and current amplitude and direction. The cruise may be known as: CAGE16_4
Copyright (c) 2023 Bénédicte Ferré, Helge Niemann, Per Jansson, Pavel Serov, Erna O. Arnardottir, Fenicia Garcia Tigreros, Mihai Leonte, Carolyn Graves, Per I. Hermundsplass https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE16-3 Cruise Report: CAGE-PWC April Cruise to the western Svalbard margin
From the afternoon of April 22nd to the early morning of May 1st 2016, CAGE at the Department of Geology Uit, the Arctic University of Norway, arranged a scientific cruise aimed at investigating sediment cores and pore water, water masses, and planktonic faunas, at the western Svalbard margin and western Barents Sea slope, also visiting methane seep sites off Vestnesa Ridge, Prins Karls Forland (PKF) and in Storfjorden Trough on R/V “Helmer Hanssen”. Investigated areas were (in order of visiting sites on the cruise): PKF, Vestnesa Ridge, PKF again, Storfjorden Trough and Storfjorden. This cruise can be regarded as a continuance of the previous cruise February 8-15, 2016, where all seep sites at Vestnesa Ridge and PKF were abandoned because of bad weather conditions. In April we hope to reach Vestnesa and PKF to get the cores we missed in February. The scientific sampling was done within the framework of several ongoing projects at the Department of Geology, University of Tromsø: “CAGE -Centre for Arctic Gas hydrate, Environment and Climate”, in which the sub-projects Paleo-CIRCUS and “OA-Ocean Acidification” are included. A total of 10 gravity cores, 3 multinet casts and 14 CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) casts were performed along the western Svalbard margin (Vestnesa and PKF). Data were also collected in Storfjorden Trough and Storfjorden, no brine overflow detected in April either. Chirp profiles and multibeam lines were acquired during transits and in small surveys at potential core sites over outer Vestnesa, PKF and in Storfjorden filling previous gaps in records from earlier cruises. The cruise may be known as: CAGE16_3
Copyright (c) 2023 Tine L. Rasmussen, Tove Nielsen, Troels Laier, Mohamed Ezat, Julie Meilland, Siri Ofstad, Elina Nystedt, Evelyn Pecori https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE16-2 Cruise Report: Marine Geological Cruise to the Maud Basin and Crater Area, Bjørnøyrenna
The cruise was a part of the Centre of Excellence for Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate (CAGE) at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. The aim of the cruise was to visit two study areas: the first a new study site called Maud Basin in southern Bjørnøyrenna – an area where industry data has shown promising evidence for gas leakage associated with pingo/crater formation and an underlying hydrocarbon reservoir. The second site is the Crater Area previously visited by CAGE in 2015 (15-5). More specific objectives of the cruise were to: Obtain multibeam and seismic lines over pingos and craters in Maud Basin, southern Bjørnøyrenna, already identified on industry seismic data Re-examine the high density flares areas of the Crater Area previously surveyed in 2015 for any changes Survey new areas in the surrounding region of the Crater Area Obtain plankton net data from gas leaking sites for analyses of biomass The cruise may be known as: CAGE16_2
CAGE16-1 Cruise Report: CAGE-OA February Cruise to the western Svalbard margin and the western Barents Sea slope
From the afternoon of February 8th to the late morning of February 15th 2016, CAGE at the Department of Geology Uit, the Arctic University of Norway, arranged a scientific cruise aimed at investigating water masses and planktonic faunas at the western Svalbard margin and western Barents Sea slope, also visiting methane seep sites off Vestnesa Ridge, Prins Karls Forland (PKF) and in Storfjorden Trough on R/V “Helmer Hanssen”. Investigated areas were (in order of visiting sites on the cruise): PKF, Storfjorden Fan, Storfjorden Trough, Bjørnøya Trough Mouth Fan, north, mid and south and the slope off Troms (off Malangen). Seep sites at Vestnesa Ridge were abandoned because of bad weather conditions. The scientific sampling was done within the framework of several ongoing projects at the Department of Geology, University of Tromsø: “CAGE – Centre for Arctic Gashydrate, Environment and Climate”. A total of 1 boxcore, 8 plankton net (4 multinet and 4 plankton net) casts and 14 CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) casts were performed along the route from western Svalbard to Norway along the western Barents Sea slope. Data were also collected in Storfjorden Trough and Storfjorden – no sea ice yet. Chirp profiles and multibeam lines were acquired during transits and in Storfjorden. The cruise may be known as: CAGE16_1
Copyright (c) 2023 Tine L. Rasmussen, Kamila Sztybor, Julie Meilland, Siri Ofstad, Mohamed Ezat, May Baker https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE14-5 Cruise Report: Fram Strait – NW Svalbard
CAGE 14-5 cruise allowed to study the gas release from gas hydrated sub-seabed environments at the continental margin off NW and N-Svalbard and the transport and distribution of methane within the water column. We carried out acoustic profiling (18, 38 and 120 kHz) in the water column, CTD water sampling for gas analyses, seismic profiling (mini GI guns), bathymetry mapping (EM300), and sediment gravity coring (3m corer). Though water above gas flares may be enriched in methane, methanotrophic microbescan reduce the methane concentrations and thus the amount of methane that may escape from the seabed to the ocean, one of the topics investigated during this cruise The cruise may be known as: CAGE14_5_JM
Copyright (c) 2023 Jürgen Mienert, Giuliana Panieri, Friederike Gründger, Wei-L. Hong, Joel Johnson, Andreia Plaza-Faverola, Per Jansson, Alexey Portnov, Kate A. Waghorn https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE14-4 Cruise Report: CAGE-CO2 Cruise and GEO3144 Teaching Cruise to the western Svalbard margin and the Barents Sea
From the afternoon of July 21st to the morning of July 29th 2014, CAGE at the Department of Geology Uit, the Arctic University of Norway, arranged a scientific cruise with teaching (GEO3144/8144- Arctic Marine Geology and Geophysics Cruise) aimed at investigating and teaching students about the western Svalbard margin, methane seep sites at Vestnesa and Storfjorden Trough and the Barents Sea on R/V “Helmer Hanssen”. Investigated areas were (in order of visiting sites on the cruise): Vestnesa Ridge, the west Svalbard slope, Storfjorden Trough, Storfjorden and western Barents Sea. The scientific sampling was done within the framework of several ongoing projects at the Department of Geology, University of Tromsø: “CAGE – Centre for Arctic Gas hydrate Environment and Climate”, in which the sub-projects “Paleo-CIRCUS”, “OA-Ocean Acidification” is included. A total of 11 gravity cores, 7 box-cores (with a total of 18 sub-samples retrieved), 9 plankton net casts and 16 CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) casts were performed at Vestnesa Ridge, Storfjorden Fan, Storfjorden Trough, Storfjorden and the western Barents Sea, respectively. All gravity cores were logged onboard by magnetic susceptibility loop sensor for stratigraphical purposes and educational purposes. Chirp profiles and multibeam echo sounder lines were acquired during transits and during surveys of Storfjorden and several pockmarks at the Vestnesa Ridge. A total of 129 lines were collected during transits and during surveys. A total of six seismic lines were performed with the airgun. The cruise may be known as: CAGE14_4_CO2_GEO
Copyright (c) 2023 Tine L. Rasmussen, Tove Nielsen, Katarzyna Zamelczyk, Kamila Sztybor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE14-3 Cruise Report: Marine Geological Cruise to Storfjordrenna and Bjørnøyrenna
The cruise was a part of the Centre of Excellence for Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate (CAGE) at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. The cruise aimed at investigating areas with gas venting from the seabed in outer Storfjordrenna and central Bjørnøyrenna. More specific objectives were: Sampling benthic seabed fauna in areas of gas venting to investigate the biological responses to natural gas seeping Mapping seafloor geomorphology and subseabed structures relations to gas venting Mapping seafloor imprints of deglaciation The cruise may be known as: CAGE14_3_KA
CAGE20-6 Cruise Report: Pore-fluid pressure and heat flow surveys along the Vestnesa Ridge, west-Svalbard continental margin
The research cruise was the third expedition under the SEAMSTRESS project, supported by the Tromsø Research Foundation and the Research Council of Norway, through their starting grant schemes. We departed from Tromsø and started the surveys after 3 days of transit to the Fram Strait. We focused on the Vestnesa ridge and an elongated depression with fluid flow features north of the Knipovich ridge. The main purpose of the cruise was to conduct an experiment using Ifremer piezometer for measuring sediment pore fluid pressure along the margin. The pore fluid pressure experiment was complemented with an exhaustive heat flow survey using the newly acquired heat flow probe by CAGE and the Department of Geosciences at UiT. The cruise may be known as: CAGE20_6
Copyright (c) 2023 Andreia Plaza-Faverola https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE20-8 Cruise Report: Natural gas seepage and past sea ice variability on the NE Greenland margin
CAGE20-8 cruise onboard RV “Kronprins Haakon” aimed to survey the natural seepage of methane along the NE Greenland margin. Based on multibeam echosounder surveys, water column mapping for gas flares, and shallow seismic, gravity coring and multicoring were conducted. Due to heavy ice conditions, the vessel did not reach the shelf, however, survey along the continental slope were conducted. From a number of acoustic profiles and sediment cores, we will pursue the investigations of natural seepage related to glacial variability and sea ice fluctuations over the coming months. The cruise may be known as: CAGE20_8
Copyright (c) 2023 Jochen Knies, Monica Winsborrow, Henry Patton, Stijn De Schepper, Tine L. Rasmussen, Tove Nielsen, Anna Silyakova, Mauro Pau, Cornelia M. Binde, Christine Lockwood-Ireland, Kristin Steinsland, Danielle Magann Grant https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE20-7 Cruise Report: Sediment and water column analyses around flares at Norskebanken, Hinlopen and offshore Prins Karls Forland
During the cruise CAGE 20-7 (November 2nd to 16th 2020), we observed and investigated a large active methane seepage area south from the Yermak plateau (Northern Svalbard), in particular to characterize the water column and the sediment near known flares in Norskebanken (Geissler et al., 2016). Some flares were targeted for gas composition, DNA and bubble size distribution. The combination of the R/V Kronprins Haakon and the ROV ÆGIR 6000 from the Norwegian Marine Robotics Laboratory at the University of Bergen allowed this investigation to happen in this rough environment, while collecting invaluable data from the ROV. The cruise may be known as: CAGE20_7
Copyright (c) 2023 Bénédicte Ferré, Giuliana Panieri, Dimitri Kalenitchenko, Claudio Argentino, Manuel Moser, Knut Ola Dølven, Muhammed Fatih Sert, Marie Stetzler, Alessandra Savini, Matteus Lindgren, Eleonore Jones, Tim de Groot, Jenny Friedrich, Stormer A. Jensen, Stig Vågenes, Jörn Patrick Meyer, Marco Micheel, Eyvind Erntsen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE20-WORM Cruise Report: CAGE Worm-cruise to outer Kvalsund collecting tubeworms and sediment for eDNA and aDNA
From the morning of October 28th to the evening of October 28th 2020, fieldwork was performed comprising retrieval of live siboglinid worms for genetic and environmental studies hereunder pore water content of sulphate, sulphide and methane and sediment TOC, TC and isotopes. The working area was a basin located in outer Kvalsund, Troms, northern Norway. A total of 2 box core stations and 2 gravity core stations were obtained and two CTD casts. Echosounding and chirp data were recorded on stations and on transits. The cruise may be known as: CAGE20_WORM
Copyright (c) 2023 Tine L. Rasmussen, Naima El Bani Altuna, Arunima Sen, Christine Lockwood-Ireland, Silje Andreassen, Lucie Alain https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CAGE20-5 Cruise Report: Tectonic stress studies and seismic surveys on the West-Svalbard margin
Tha main goal of CAGE20-5 cruise was to continue with an Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) experiment to address objectives of the SEAMSTRESS project (Tectonic stress effects on Arctic methane seepage[SB1] ). Along the eastern segment of Vestnesa Ridge, the cruise recovered 7 OBS after a one-year deployment and subsequentially redeployed 10 OBS in the larger array on the southern flank of Vestnesa Ridge. The overall aim is to detect local and regional earthquakes that relate to and/or impact local faulting within Vestnesa Ridge and may control fluid flow. Another objective of CAGE20-5 was to collect seismic lines to complete the data base and refine site selections for the IODP985 proposal. We also collected a 3D seismic volume on the elongated depression north of Knipovich Ridge where massive gas hydrates and pore fluid pressure pulses from piezometer data have been observed The cruise may be known as: CAGE20_5
CAGE20-3 Cruise Report: Geochemical and Sedimentological Investigation into Ingøydjupet, Håkon Mosby Mud Volcano and the Sorvestnaget Sand Waves
This expedition ran between July 28 and August 3 2020, targeting three sites in the Barents Sea, an area of glacial landforms in Ingøydjupet trough, the Håkon Mosby Mud Volcano and the Sorvestnaget Sand Wave area. Our short but productive expedition gave three post-doctoral researchers the opportunity to follow a research hypothesis from conception through planning and data collection aboard the research vessel, as well as plan and lead a research expedition. At the Ingøydjupet and Håkon Mosby Mud Volcano study areas, our objectives were to collect cores for geochemical analyses of the area and bathymetry data for geophysical analyses while the objectives at the sand waves are were to collect a time-lapse multibeam survey and grab samples for sedimentological analysis The cruise may be known as: CAGE20_3
Copyright (c) 2023 Kate A. Waghorn, Malin Waage, Claudio Argentino https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0