Abstract:

This dataset contains data on rates of anaerobic oxidation of methane, methanogenesis, and sulfate reduction measured with radiotracers in the Shenhu area of Northern South China Sea on 2015-09-15 aboard R/V Haiyang IV. Microbial activity and diversity were investigated to elucidate methane cycling in the sulfate-reducing sediments of South China Sea. The dataset also contains longitude, latitude, depth, and date of sample collection. This dataset supports the publication of Xu, Lei, Guang-Chao Zhuang, Andrew Montgomery, Qianyong Liang, Samantha B. Joye, and Fengping Wang. 2020. Methyl‐compounds driven benthic carbon cycling in the sulfate‐reducing sediments of South China Sea. Environmental Microbiology 23(2): 641-651. DOI:10.1111/1462-2920.15110

Suggested Citation:

Zhuang, Guangchao. 2021. Rates of anaerobic oxidation of methane, methanogenesis, and sulfate reduction measured with radiotracers aboard R/V Haiyang IV, in the Shenhu area of Northern South China Sea on 2015-09-15. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/PXNAGHXC

Publications:

Xu, L., Zhuang, G., Montgomery, A., Liang, Q., Joye, S. B., & Wang, F. (2020). Methyl‐compounds driven benthic carbon cycling in the sulfate‐reducing sediments of South China Sea. Environmental Microbiology. doi:10.1111/1462-2920.15110

Purpose:

To investigate sediment geochemistry, microbial activity and diversity to elucidate the methane cycling in the sulfate-reducing sediments of the South China Sea.

Data Parameters and Units:

Cruise documentation for the R/V Haiyang IV is also attached and the chief scientist was Qianyong Liang. The headers are-Depth (cm); Sulfate (mmol/L); Methane (μmol/L); DIC (mmol/L); δ13C-DIC (‰); H2 (nmol/L); DOC (μmol/L); Ammonium (μmol/L); Nitrite (μmol/L); Nitrate (μmol/L); Total dissolved phosphate (TDP) (μmol/L); Phosphate (μmol/L); Formate (μmol/L); Acetate (μmol/L); Propionate (μmol/L); Methanol (μmol/L); DIC turnover time (d); DIC metanogenesis rate (pmol cm-3 d-1); Acetate turnover time (d); Acetate metanogenesis rate (pmol cm-3 d-1); Methanol turnover time (d); Methanol metanogenesis rate (pmol cm-3 d-1); Methylamine turnover time (d); AOM rate (pmol cm-3 d-1); Sulfate reduction rate (nmol cm-3 d-1)

Methods:

We investigated microbial activity and diversity to elucidate the methane cycling in the sulfate-reducing sediments of South China Sea. The dataset reports sediment geochemistry and rates of anaerobic oxidation of methane, methanogenesis, and sulfate reduction measured with radiotracers in the Shenhu area of northern South China Sea. The concentrations of methane in the sediments were determined by gas chromatograph (GC) with a flame ionization detector (FID) (SRI Instrument). Hydrogen concentrations were measured using a Peak Performer 1 Reduced Gas Analyzer equipped with a mercury oxide detector (Peak Laboratories, USA). Porewater sulfate was measured by Dionex ® Ion Chromatograph. DIC was quantified with Picarro Isotopic CO 2 Down-Ring Cavity Spectrometer. DOC concentrations were determined using a Shimadzu TOC-V analyzer. Porewater nutrients were determined with spectrometer methods (Joye et al., 2010). Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were measured with a derivatization method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Methanol and ethanol were analyzed using a modified purge and trap pre-treatment system connected with a GC-FID (SRI Instrument). Anaerobic oxidation of methane, methanogenesis, and sulfate reduction rates were measured with radiotracers using a liquid scintillation counter.

Instruments:

Gas chromatograph (GC) with a flame ionization detector (FID) (SRI Instrument); Peak Performer 1 Reduced Gas Analyzer equipped with a mercury oxide detector (Peak Laboratories, USA); Dionex ® Ion Chromatograph; Picarro Isotopic CO 2 Down-Ring Cavity Spectrometer; Shimadzu TOC-V analyzer; and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Provenance and Historical References:

Joye, Samantha B., Marshall W. Bowles, Vladimir A. Samarkin, Kimberly S. Hunter, and Helge Niemann. 2010. Biogeochemical signatures and microbial activity of different cold-seep habitats along the Gulf of Mexico deep slope. Deep-Sea Research II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 57(21-23): 1990–2001. DOI: 10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.06.001

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