Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

ROV study of a giant pockmark on the Gabon continental margin

  • Original
  • Published:
Geo-Marine Letters Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A giant, 800-m wide pockmark, called Regab, was discovered along the Equatorial African margin at 3160-m water depth and was explored by remote operated vehicle (ROV) as part of the Zaiango (1998–2000) and Biozaire (2001–2003) projects carried out conjointly by TOTAL and a number of French research institutes. A microbathymetric map obtained using the ROV sensors shows that the pockmark actually consists of a cluster of smaller pockmarks aligned N70 along a 15-m deep depression. Methane was recorded all over the pockmark, the highest values along the axis of the depression where massive carbonate crusts and dense seep communities were also found. Several faunal species belong to the Vesicomyidae and Mytilidae bivalve families, as well as to Siboglinidae (Vestimentifera) tubeworms. Preliminary analyses confirm their association with symbiotic bacteria, thus documenting their dependence on fluid seeps. The pockmark appears to be related to an infilled channel, visible on the seismic data 300 m below the seafloor, which may act as a reservoir for biogenic fluids supplied to the trap from the surrounding sediments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aloisi G, Pierre C, Rouchy JM, Foucher JP, Woodside J, Medinaut Scientific Party (2000) Methane-related authigenic carbonates of eastern Mediterranean Sea mud volcanoes and their possible relation to gas hydrate destabilisation. EPSL 184:321–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen A, Hourdez S, Marie B, Jollivet D, Lallier F, Sibuet M (2004) Escarpia southwardae sp. nov., a new species of vestimentiferan tubeworm (Annelida, Siboglinidae) from West-African cold seeps. Can J Zool 82:980–999

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergquist DC, Andras JP, McNelis T, Howlett S, van Horn MJ, Fisher CR (2003a) Succession in Gulf of Mexico cold seep vestimentiferan aggregations: the importance of spatial variability. PSZNI Mar Ecol 24:31–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergquist DC, Ward T, Cordes EE, McNelis T, Howlett S, Kosoff R, Hourdez S, Carney RS, Fisher CR (2003b) Community structure of vestimentiferan-generated habitat islands from Gulf of Mexico cold seeps. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 289:197–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boe R, Rise L, Ottesen D (1998) Elongate depressions on the southern slope of the Norwegian Trench (Skagerrak): morphology and evolution. Mar Geol 146:191–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boetius A, Ravenschlag K, Schubert GJ, Rickert D, Widdel F, Gieseke A, Amann R, Jorgensen BB, Witte U, Pfannkuche O (2000) A marine microbial consortium apparently mediating anaerobic oxidation of methane. Nature 407:623–626

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charlou JL, Donval JP (1993) Hydrothermal methane venting between 12N and 26N along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. J Geophys Res 98:9625–9642

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlou JL, Donval JP, Fouquet Y, Ondréas H, Cochonat P, Levaché D, Poirier Y, Jean-Baptiste P, Fourré E, Chazallon B, Zairov-Leg 2 Scientific Party (2004) Physical and chemical characterization of gas hydrates and associated methane plumes in the Congo-Angola Basin. Chem Geol 205:405–425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cole D, Stewart SA, Cartwright JA (2000) Giant irregular pockmark craters in the Palaeogene of the Outer Moray Firth Basin, UK North Sea. Mar Petrol Geol 17:563–577

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman DF, Ballard RD (2001) A highly concentrated region of cold hydrocarbon seeps in the southeastern Mediterranean Sea. Geo-Mar Lett 21:162–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dimitrov L, Woodside J (2003) Deep sea pockmark environments in the eastern Mediterranean. Mar Geol 195(1/4):263–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Droz L, Marsset T, Ondréas H, Lopez M, Savoye B, Spy-Anderson FL (2003) Architecture of an active mud-rich turbidite system: the Zaire fan (Congo-Angola margin southeast Atlantic): results from Zaiango 1 and 2 cruises. AAPG 87(7):1145–1169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eichhubl P, Greene HG, Naehr T, Maher N (2000) Structural control of fluid flow: offshore fluid seepage in the Santa Barbara Basin, California. J Geochem Explor 69/70:545–549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fader GBJ (1991) Gas-related sedimentary features from the eastern Canadian continental shelf. Cont Shelf Res 11:1123–1153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher CR, Urcuyo IA, Simpkins MA, Nix E (1997) Life in the slow lane: growth and longevity of cold-seep vestimentiferans. PSZNI Mar Ecol 18:83–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher CR, MacDonald IR, Sassen R, Young CM, Macko SA, Hourdez S, Carney RS, Joye S, McMullin E (2000) Methane ice worms: Hesiocaeca methanicola colonizing fossil fuel reserves. Naturwissenschaften 87:184–187

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fleischer P, Orsi TH, Richardson MD, Anderson AL (2001) Distribution of free gas in marine sediments: a global overview. Geo-Mar Lett 21:103–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gay A, Lopez M, Cochonat P, Sultan N, Cauquil E, Brigaud F (2003) Sinuous pockmarks belt as indicator of a shallow buried turbiditic channel on the lower slope of the Congo Basin, West African Margin. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 216:173–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Hovland M (1981) Characteristics of pockmarks in the Norwegian Trench. Mar Geol 39:103–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hovland M, Judd AG (1988) Seabed pockmarks and seepages. Impact on geology, biology and marine environment. Graham and Trotman, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hovland M, Judd AG, King LH (1984) Characteristic features of pockmarks on the North Sea floor and Scotian shelf. Sedimentology 31:471–480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hovland M, Talbot MR, Qvale H, Olaussen S, Aasberg L (1987) Methane-related carbonate cements in pockmarks of the North Sea. J Sedim Petrol 57(5):881–892

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansen JHF, Van Weering TCE, Gieles R, Van Iperen J (1984) Middle and Late Quaternary oceanography and climatology of the Zaire-Congo fan and adjacent eastern Angola Basin. Neth J Sea Res 17:201–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Josenhans HW, King LH, Fader GB (1978) A side-scan sonar mosaic of pockmarks on the Scotian Shelf. Can J Earth Sci 15:831–841

    Google Scholar 

  • Judd AG (2003) The global importance and context of methane escape from the seabed. In: Woodside JM, Garrison RE, Moore JC, Kvenvolden KA (eds) Proceedings 7th international conference gas in marine sediments, 7–12 October 2002, Baku, Azerbaijan. Geo-Mar Lett 23(3/4):147–154

  • Kasten S, Hensen C, Zabel M, Ravenschlag K, Boetius A, Spiess V, Schneider R (2001) Gas hydrates in surface sediments of the Northern Congo Fan—geochemical and microbiological characterization of the top of the gas hydrate stability zone. In: Abstracts of the Vol EUG XI, 8–12 April 2001, Strasbourg, p 1855

  • Kelley JT, Dickson SM, Belknap DF, Barngardt WA, Henderson M (1994) Giant sea-bed pockmarks: evidence for gas escape from Belfast Bay, Maine. Geology 22:59–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King LH, MacLean B (1970) Pockmarks on the Scotian Shelf. Geol Soc Am Bull 81:3141–3148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Komai T, Segonzac M (2005) A revision of the genus Alvinocaris Williams and Chace (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Alvinocarididae), with descriptions of a new genus and a new species of Alvinocaris. J Nat Hist 39:1–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laubier L, Ohta S, Sibuet M (1986) Découverte de communautés animales profondes durant la campagne franco-japonaise Kaiko de plongées dans les fosses de subduction autour du Japon. C R Acad Sci Paris Sér III 303:25–29

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald IR, Reilly JF II, Guinasso NL Jr, Brooks JM, Carney RS, Bryant WA, Bright TJ (1990) Chemosynthetic mussels at a brine-filled pockmark in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Science 248:1096–1099

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald IR, Sager WW, Peccini MB (2003) Gas hydrate and chemosynthetic biota in mounded bathymetry at mid-slope hydrocarbon seeps: Northern Gulf of Mexico. Mar Geol 198:133–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsset T, Droz L, Pichon E, Dennielou B, Babonneau N, Savoye B (2003) Cyclicités dans l’architecture interne du système turbiditique du Zaire. In: Abstracts of the vol 9ème Congr Français de Sédimentologie, 14–16 October 2003, University of Bordeaux, pp 338–339

  • Mazurenko LL, Soloviev VA (2003) Worldwide distribution of deep-water fluid venting and potential occurrences of gas hydrate accumulations. In: Woodside JM, Garrison RE, Moore JC, Kvenvolden KA (eds) Proceedings of the 7th international conference on gas in marine sediments, 7–12 October 2002, Baku, Azerbaijan. Geo-Mar Lett 23(3/4):162–176

  • Moulin M, Contrucci I, Olivet JL, Aslanian D, Géli L, Sibuet JC, Nouze H, Réhault JP, Unternehr P (2002) Deep structures of the Angola margin. In: Abstracts of the volume conference of European geophysical society, 21–26 April 2002, Nice, p79

  • Nadalig T, Olu-Le Roy K, Budzinsky H, Cambon-Bonavita MA, Sibuet M (2001) Evidence of chemoautotrophy and characterization of bacterial symbionts of invertebrates at two cold seep sites (Gulf of Guinea). In: Abstracts of the volume 2nd international symposium on deep-sea hydrothermal vent biology, 8–12 October 2001, IFREMER, Brest, p205

  • Nix ER, Fisher CR, Vodenichar J, Scott KM (1995) Physiological ecology of a mussel with methanotrophic endosymbionts at three hydrocarbon seep sites in the Gulf of Mexico. Mar Biol 122:605–617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olu-Le Roy K, Cochonat P, Fifis A, Ondréas H, Sibuet M (2001) Spatial distribution of chemosynthetic fauna from video records at a new cold seep site in the Gulf of Guinea. In: Abstracts of the volume 2nd international symposium on deep-sea hydrothermal vent biology, 8–12 October 2001, IFREMER, Brest, p 209

  • Orange DL, Greene HG, Reed D, Martin JB, McHuh CM, Ryan WBF, Maher N, Stakes D, Barry J (1999) Widespread fluid expulsion on a translational continental margin: mud volcanoes, fault zones, headless canyons, and organic-rich substrate in Monterey Bay, California. GSA Bull 111(7):992–1009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orange DL, Yun J, Maher N, Barry J, Greene G (2002) Tracking California seafloor seeps with bathymetry, backscatter and ROVs. Cont Shelf Res 22(16):2273–2290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pancost RD, Sinninghe Damsté JS, Lint De S, Maarel Van der MJEC, Gottschal JC, Medinaut Scientific Party (2000) Biomarker evidence for widespread anaerobic methane oxidation in mediterranean sediments by a consortium of methanogenic archaea and bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 66:1126–1132

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paull CK, Hecker B, Commeau R, Freeman-Lynde RP, Neumann C, Corso WP, Golubic S, Hook JE, Sikes E, Curray J (1984) Biological communities at the Florida escarpment resemble hydrothermal vent taxa. Science 226:965–967

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paull CK, Ussler W, Maher N, Greene HG, Rehder G, Lorenson T, Lee H (2002) Pockmarks off Big Sur, California. Mar Geol 181(4):323–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts P, Yapaudjian L (1990) Early Cretaceous rift sediments of the Gabon-Congo margin: lithology and organic matter; tectonic and paleogeothermal evolution. J Afr Earth Sci 10:319–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savoye B, Cochonat P, Apprioual R, Bain O, Baltzer A, 33 others (2000) Structure et évolution récente de l’éventail turbiditique du Zaïre: premiers rèsultats scientifiques des missions d’exploration Zaïango 1 et 2 (marge Congo-Angola). CR Acad Sci Terre Planèt 331:211–220

  • Scanlon KM, Knebel HJ (1989) Pockmarks in the floor of Penobscot Bay, Maine. Geo-Mar Lett 9:53–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schoell M (1988) Multiple origins of methane in the earth. Chem Geol 71:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Séranne M, Séguret M, Fauchier M (1992) Seismic super-units and post-rift evolution of the continental passive margin of southern Gabon. Bull Soc Géol Fr 163(2):135–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Sibuet M, Olu K (1998) Biogeography, biodiversity and fluid dependence of deep-sea cold-seep communities at active and passive margins. Deep-Sea Res II 45:517–567

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibuet M, Olu-Le Roy K (2002) Cold seep communities on continental margins: structure and quantitative distribution relative to geological and fluid venting patterns. In: Wefer G, Billett D, Hebbeln D, Jorgensen B, Schlüter M, van Weering T (eds) Ocean margin systems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 235–251

    Google Scholar 

  • Sibuet M, Juniper SK, Pautot G (1988) Cold-seep benthic communities in the Japan subduction zones: geological control of community development. J Mar Res 46:333–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibuet M, Galéron J, Khripounoff A, Menot L, Olu-Le Roy K, Durrieu J, Miné J, Caprais JC, Crassous P, Fabri MC, Vangriesheim A, Desneulin J, Savoye B, Cochonat P, Ondréas P, Etoubleau J, Loubrieu B, Dinet A, Von Cosel R (2002) Deep sea ecosystems on the Equatorial African Margin: first results of a pluridisciplinary environmental programme and discovery of chemosynthesis based ecosystem. In: Abstracts of the volume 6th international conference of health, safety and environment in oil and gas exploration and production, 20–22 March 2002, Kuala-Lumpur, Society of Petroleum Engineering, ref SPE 73875

  • Sibuet M, Caprais JC, Crassous P, Duperron S, Fabri MC, Fifis A, Galéron J, Khripounoff A, Menot L, Nadalig T, Olu-Le Roy K, Vangriesheim A, Andersen A, Von Cosel R (2003) Rich and complex deep-sea ecosystems on the equatorial African margin: general objectives and results of the Biozaire environmental program. In: Abstracts of the volume 10th international symposium of deep-sea biology, 25–29 August 2003, University of Oregon, p 39

  • Sieck HC (1975) Practical application of offshore site hazard surveys. Ocean Eng 15:6–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Soter S (1999) Macroscopic seismic anomalies and submarine pockmarks in the Corinth-Patras rift, Greece. Tectonophysics 308:275–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suess E, Carson B, Ritger SD, Moore JC, Jones ML, Kulm LD, Cochrane GR (1985) Biological communities at vent sites along the subduction zone off Oregon. Bull Biol Soc Washington 6:475–484

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor MH, Dillon WP, Pecher IA (2000) Trapping and migration of methane associated with the gas hydrate stability zone at the Blake Ridge Diapir: new insights from seismic data. Mar Geol 164:79–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westbrook GK, Carson B, Musgrave RJ et al. (1994) Cascadia Margin section 6: cores. In: Suess E, von Huene R (eds) Proceedings of the ODP, Initial Reports 146(1). Ocean Drilling Program, College Station, TX, pp 555–587

  • Whiticar MJ (1999) Carbon and hydrogen isotope systematics of bacterial formation and oxidation of methane. Chem Geol 161:291–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the officers, crew and technicians of the RV l’Atalante and the ROV Victor for their work and support during the Zairov cruise in December 2000 and the Biozaire I cruise in January 2001. The Zaiango and Biozaire projects form part of an IFREMER–TOTAL partnership. We are also grateful to all other persons involved in the Zaiango and Biozaire projects not referenced here. We acknowledge Martin Hovland and an anonymous reviewer for their very helpful comments on the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département Géosciences, IFREMER, B.P. 70, 29280, Plouzané, France

    H. Ondréas, Y. Fouquet, J. L. Charlou, B. Dennielou, J. P. Donval, P. Cochonat & J. F. Bourillet

  2. Département Environnement Profond, IFREMER, B.P. 70, 29280, Plouzané, France

    K. Olu, A. Fifis & M. Sibuet

  3. Laboratoire GTS, place Bataillon, Université Montpellier II, 34095, Montpellier cedex 5, France

    A. Gay

  4. Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Génétique, Université Louis Pasteur, CNRS-FRE 2326, Institut de Botanique, 28 rue Goethe, 67083, Strasbourg cedex, France

    T. Nadalig

  5. TOTAL, 2 place Coupole, 92400, Courbevoie, France

    E. Cauquil

  6. Direction Environnement Littoral, IFREMER, B.P. 21105, 44311, Nantes cedex, France

    M. Le Moigne

Authors
  1. H. Ondréas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. Olu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Y. Fouquet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. L. Charlou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Gay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. B. Dennielou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. J. P. Donval
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. A. Fifis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. T. Nadalig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. P. Cochonat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. E. Cauquil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. J. F. Bourillet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. M. Le Moigne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. M. Sibuet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Ondréas.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ondréas, H., Olu, K., Fouquet, Y. et al. ROV study of a giant pockmark on the Gabon continental margin. Geo-Mar Lett 25, 281–292 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-005-0213-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-005-0213-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation