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| Room |
Organic Geochemistry Gas Lab
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| Location |
Rm. M3043,
3rd floor,
Bldg. 15 (McKelvey Bldg.)
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| Contact |
Robert J. Rosenbauer
Tom Lorenson
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| Description |
A substance of interest to geochemists is gas hydrate, which is a solid crystalline-like structure composed of cavities, formed by water molecules, which are stabilized by a natural gas molecule within most cavities. Gas hydrate occurs worldwide in both onshore and offshore sediments and contains a large reservoir of natural gas. Gas hydrate is important also as an influence on engineering constructions in hydrate formation zones and as a factor affecting the dynamics of the ozone layer, concentrations of greenhouse gasses, and changes in earth's climate. The organic gas laboratory, in collaboration with studies in earthquake hazards, is making geochemical measurements of pressure, temperature, water and gas volumes, and composition on natural and synthetic hydrate. These results provide information on the chemistry and stability of gas hydrate and its likely occurrence in the environment.
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Specialized
Equipment |
- Shimadzu gas chromatograph model 14A
- Carle Analytical gas chromatograph model 311
- MTI Analytical Instruments portable gas chromatograph, model P200
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Equipment
and
Technique |
Gas Seeps
Natural gas seepages occur in many geologic settings world-wide, many of which we are actively researching. Important questions to be addressed are the origin and processes that create the seeps, and their cumulative environmental impact. Areas of particular interest include onshore and offshore California, and sub-sea gas vents where gas hydrates are found. Analyses of these gases focus on the hydrocarbon and permanent gas composition including fro example hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide. Cooperative studies with other USGS teams, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories focus on the isotopic composition of these gases.
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