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1180 - Estructuras submarinas causadas por emisiones de gases

Ámbito: Marino identificador: 1180 Prioritario: No

Nombre original EUR28

1180 - Submarine structures made by leaking gases

Descripción original en inglés (EUR28)

Submarine structures consist of sandstone slabs, pavements, and pillars up to 4 m high, formed by aggregation of carbonate cement resulting from microbial oxidation of gas emissions, mainly methane. The formations are interspersed with gas vents that intermittently release gas. The methane most likely originates from the microbial decomposition of fossil plant materials. The first type of submarine structures is known as bubbling reefs. These formations support a zonation of diverse benthic communities consisting of algae and/or invertebrate specialists of hard marine substrates different to that of the surrounding habitat. Animals seeking shelter in the numerous caves further enhance the biodiversity. A variety of sublittoral topographic features are included in this habitat such as: overhangs, vertical pillars and stratified leaf-like structures with numerous caves. The second type are carbonate structures within pockmarks. Pockmarks are depressions in soft sediment seabed areas, up to 45 m deep and a few hundred meters wide. Not all pockmarks are formed by leaking gases and of those formed by leaking gases, many do not contain substantial carbonate structures and are therefore not included in this habitat. Benthic communities consist of invertebrate specialists of hard marine substrata and are different from the surrounding (usually) muddy habitat. The diversity of the infauna community in the muddy slope surrounding the pockmark may also be high.

Especies presentes (EUR28)

Correspondencias con otras clasificaciones (EUR28)

EUNIS classification: Relevant types under A5.71 Seeps and vents in sublittoral sediments.

HELCOM classification: All subtypes under Bubbling reefs (2.10)

Bibliografía (EUR28)

Hovland M. & Judd A.G. (1988). Seabed Pockmarks and seepages: Impact on Geology, Biology and the Marine Environment. Graham & Trotman, London. 245pp.

Dando, P.R. et. al. (1991). Ecology of a North Sea Pockmark with an active methane seep. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., vol. 70: 49-63.

Jørgensen, N.O. at al (1990). Shallow hydrocarbon gas in the nothern Jutland-Kattegat region, Denmark. Bull. Geol. Soc., vol. 38: 69-76.

Laier, T. et al. (1991). Kalksøjler og gasudslip i Kattegat, seismisk kortlægning af området nordvest for Hirsholmene. Miljøministeriet, Danmarks Geologiske Undersøgelse

Jørgensen, N.O. et al (1989). Holocene methane-derived dolomite-cemented sandstone pillars from Kattegat, Denmark. Mar. Geol., vol. 88: 71-81.

Johnston, C. J., Turnbull, C. G. & Tasker, M. L. (2002). Natura 2000 in UK Offshore Waters: Advice to support the implementation of the EC Habitats and Birds Directives in UK offshores waters. JNCC Report 325.

Jensen, P. et al. (1992). “Bubbling reefs” in the Kattegat: submarine landscapes of carbonatecemented rocks support a diverse ecosystem at methane seeps. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., vol. 83:103- 112.

Hansen, J.M. (1988). Koraller i Kattegat, kortlægning. Miljøministeriets, Skov- og Naturstyrelsen.