The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Efficient preservation of old methane-derived organic carbon in deep-sea surface sediments
ID:1373 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 17:15 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 7 - Under Pressure: Microbial Carbon Cycling and Organic Matter Transformation in the Deep Ocean

Abstract
Methane released from the subseafloor is significantly attenuated during upward migration, yet the preservation of methane-derived organic carbon (OC) in global deep-sea sediments remains poorly understood. Here, we measured carbon isotopes coupled with temperature-ramped analyses on various methane seepage sediments. Our results reveal a correlation between the radiocarbon (14C) content in deep-sea surface sediments and sulfate-methane transition depth. Notably, our findings suggest that a substantial amount of 14C-depleted OC may originate from deep-seated methane and is efficiently preserved in surface seapage sediments. We propose that efficient OC preservation is related to microbial-mediated aggregate formation at the seawater sediment interface, where physical occlusion within coarse-grained matrices reduces oxygen availability and enhances OC stability. We estimate that at least 6 TgC of methane-derived OC are preserved annually in surface sediments of the global continental slopes. This process may play a non-negligible role in OC preservation in sediments, reducing methane emission from seafloor.
Speaker
Rui Bao Ocean University of China

Author
Rui Bao Ocean University of China

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027