Carbon moves through the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere.Gas hydrates (orange) are shown in marine sediments, but are also buried beneath permafrost sediment in Arctic regions. Although gas hydrates are a significant global carbon pool, the precise amount of carbon, the amount of carbon released from gas hydrates to the atmosphere, and the extent to which that release could increase as the global climate changes are all under active debate. Improving upon the values for gas hydrates used in this figure will require extensive mapping and research efforts around the world.

Year: 2009

From collection: Frozen Heat - A Global Outlook on Methane Gas Hydrates

Cartographer: GRID-Arendal