Benthic Flow Meter V14

This instrument, nicknamed a "Mosquito" was deployed in 2011 at the summit of Southern Hydrate Ridge. It will be recovered during VISIONS'13 and replaced by two additional mosquitos.

The benthic flow meter measures the velocity of fluids flowing into and out of the seafloor at methane seep sites, which is critical to determining the amount (flux) of methane, hydrogen sulfide, and other gases that are emitted into the overlying ocean. Methane is especially important because it is a greenhouse gas, and it and other gases support novel microbial communities that thrive in and on the seafloor at these sites (as well as in the overlying ocean).

During VISIONS '14, benthic flow meters are expected to be placed at the Axial Base node (MJ03A) and on the deep (DP03A) and shallow (SF03A) profilers as well as at the International District 2 site (MJ03D) in the Axial Caldera and the Southern Hydrate Ridge summit (LJ01B). They are also planned to placed at the Slope Base site (MJ01A) and Slope Base deep (DP01A) and shallow (SF01A) profilers, along with at the Endurance array, in the nearshore shelf benthic package (LJ01D), the offshore benthic package (LJ01C), and the offshore deep (DP01B) and shallow (SF01B) profilers.

Benthic flow meter Overview