Abstract:

This data was collected using a Video Time Lapse Camera (VTLC) at various vents in the GoM to observe spatial and temporal variation in hydrocarbon bubble release at natural seeps. The video data provided are from individual vents in lease blocks GC600 and MC118. Observations with the VTLC captured the formation of individual bubbles as they were released through partly exposed deposits of gas hydrate. Bubble size, and environmental changes over time (i.e. bacterial mat coverage) can be determined from video clips. A semi-automatic bubble counting algorithm (SABCA) was developed to analyze bubble count and release measurements from video data. This method is suitable for discrete vents with small bubble streams commonly seen at seeps. It is adjustable to multiple settings, and in situ set-ups (refer to MATLAB code and SABCA description in file). Additionally, to determine a relationship between bubble release and pressure changes, a RbRduo pressure and temperature sensor was deployed with the VTLC to determine if there was a correlation between bubble release rates, and tidal fluctuations. Deployments include GC600-Birthday-Candles-11-26-2010 at 27.3643 -90.5637; GC600-Mega-Plume-11-14-2012 at 27.37007 -90.57093; MC118-Ruddyville-07-24-2013 at 28.85227 -88.49218; and GC600-Mega-Plume-03-09-2014 at 27.3701 -90.5709

Suggested Citation:

Ian MacDonald. 2016. Video Time Lapse Camera data of hydrocarbon bubble release at natural seeps in Mississippi Canyon and Green Canyon, northern Gulf of Mexico, November 2010 – March 2014. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7M906N3

Publications:

Johansen, C., Todd, A. C., & MacDonald, I. R. (2017). Time series video analysis of bubble release processes at natural hydrocarbon seeps in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 82, 21–34. doi:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2017.01.014

Johansen, C., Macelloni, L., Natter, M., Silva, M., Woosley, M., Woolsey, A., … MacDonald, I. R. (2020). Hydrocarbon migration pathway and methane budget for a Gulf of Mexico natural seep site: Green Canyon 600. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 545, 116411. doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116411

Purpose:

We observe the variability of bubble release from natural seeps over longer time scales. Longer term deployments (days to months) are necessary in order to capture important processes such as temporal and spatial variability, biological effects, and changes in oil and gas content of bubbles. This is accomplished by deploying the autonomous VTLC at individual seeps for extended periods of time.

Data Parameters and Units:

video files (.mov), video time lapse image files (.jpg); SABCA matlab code and instructions; Text files containing variable lists and summary results of bubble counts and release measurement; VLTCdeployments.xlsx - describes deployement info and some annotations, Camera; Deployed; Recovered; ROV; Benthos Release (Yes/No); Site (Lease Block); Vent (location); Lat (latitude); Long (longitude); Deployed (date camera deployed (mm-dd-yy)); Retrieved (Date camera retrieved (mm-dd-yy)); Trigger; Snap; Interval; RbRduo (Depth in meter/pressure in dBar); Folder Frames; DurationInSeconds; LowEstimate; LowBubblePerSec; MediumEstimate; MediumBubblePerSec; HighEstimate; HighBubblePerSec

Individual Files: