Benthic Flow Meter V15

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 were placed at the Axial Base node (MJ03A), on the deep (DP03A) and shallow (SF03A) profilers, at the International District 2 site (MJ03D) in the Axial Caldera, and at the Southern Hydrate Ridge summit (LJ01B). They were also placed at the Slope Base site (MJ01A), Slope Base deep (DP01A) and shallow (SF01A) profilers, the Endurance array, in the nearshore shelf benthic package (LJ01D), the offshore benthic package (LJ01C), and the offshore deep (DP01B) and shallow (SF01B) profilers.