Sources and sinks of hydrocarbons in the Baffin Bay and their dynamics in a warming climate

• Applicant: Dr. Miriam Römer
• Subject Area: Geology ; Oceanography
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 564898060

We ask for 26 days on R/V MARIA S. MERIAN to investigate temperature sensitive sources and sinks of hydrocarbons in Baffin Bay. In both, the Scott Inlet and the Disko Bay numerous oil slicks have been reported on the ocean surface. Moreover, satellite infrared soundings detected increasing CH4 concentrations over Baffin Bay since 2009. Due to richness of oil and gas in this basin, we expect gas hydrates to occur within permafrost and in deep marine sediment. Gas hydrate deposits together with phytoplankton blooms generating organic matter are temperature sensitive hydrocarbon sources. We will assess current fluxes and evaluate microbial turnover at elevated temperatures due to anticipated global warming. For this, we will use hydroacoustics, ROV, gravity cores, CTD, surface water equilibrator, and radiotracer incubations. This interdisciplinary approach and an international team will provide data to evaluate the effect of global climate change in a still remote place in the Arctic.

• DFG Programme: Infrastructure Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 2520: Infrastructure area - Research Vessels
• Co-Investigators: Dr. Ewa Burwicz-Galerne; Dr. Florence Schubotz