Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
In 2011 scientists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute were investigating oil
seeps and frozen methane gas, or methane hydrates, in the deep sea off the coast of British Columbia.
While exploring at a depth of 1,260 meters, the team observed a small stream of methane
gas bubbles emanating from the seafloor.
Naturally-occurring hydrocarbons, like methane gas, are found in great quantities and in
close proximity to dense communities of animals, but what is not fully understood is how these
hydrocarbons impact deep-sea organisms.
While examining this stream of bubbles the scientists observed a nearby crab, which may
have sensed the pulsing in the water column, walk over to inspect the disturbance.
The crab reached out to grasp what it likely perceived as a potential meal.
However, the methane gas bubbles instantly formed a solid hydrate as they attached to
the crab's claws.
The chemical reaction that turns gas into ice at this depth and temperature may have
given the sensation of something slightly warm and mushy.
The crab attempted to feed on the hydrate, but its mouthparts, or mandibles, became frozen
together forming a "milk mustache" of solid hydrate.
At this point the crab seemed to realize that it had made a mistake in consuming the methane
hydrate and attempted to remove the now-offending material, seen as small flakes of hydrate
floating away.
This story demonstrates an interesting deep-sea phenomenon: given the right temperature and
pressure conditions, a gas can become a frozen solid. In fact, pure methane hydrate is 20
times harder than pure water ice.
While no conclusions can be drawn from this encounter, it does shed some light on how
some organisms interact with naturally-occurring hydrocarbons in the deep sea.
This is Lonny Lundsten from MBARI