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UTIG Seminar Series: Stephen Phillips, UTIG
Start:August 31, 2018 at 10:30 am
End:
August 31, 2018 at 11:30 am
Location:
PRC ROC Room 1.603
Contact:
Anisa Abdulkader, aabdulkader@ig.utexas.edu, 512-471-8849
Host: Peter Flemings
Title:
Characterization of a methane hydrate reservoir in the northern Gulf of Mexico by pressure core analysis
Abstract:
Methane hydrates are ice-like solids stable in continental margin sediments that potentially represent a large energy resource. However, our understanding of hydrate formation processes and in situ properties in these systems is limited. We recovered the first pressurized cores from a coarse-grained hydrate reservoir in the Gulf of Mexico (410 to 447 m below seafloor; 2032 m water depth in the Green Canyon area). Quantitative depressurization of these cores demonstrates a high methane hydrate saturation up to 93% of the pore space. There is a strong lithologic control of hydrate saturation at this site with interbedded high and low hydrate saturation lithofacies. Sandy silt beds at this site are characterized by consistently high hydrate saturation (79 to 93%). Sections with lower bulk hydrate saturation (2 to 30%) are composed of thin, high-saturation beds diluted by clay-rich intervals containing little to no disseminated hydrate, as shown by high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and P-wave velocity scans. Gas recovered during these experiments is composed almost pure methane, with < 100 ppm ethane, and only detectable propane, butane, and pentane quantities, indicating that the gas is from either a microbial source or a heavily-altered thermogenic source. Our thermodynamic equilibrium calculations at the point of initial pressure rebound from hydrate dissociation during degassing indicate that the salinity within these samples is near average seawater concentration.
UTIG Seminar Series: Tanner Mills, UTIGApril, 19 2024Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMLocation: PRC 196/ROC 1.603 Speaker: Tanner Mills, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics Host: Peter Flemings Title: Predicting greenhouse gas fluxes to the atmosphere from thawing permafrost Abstract: Arctic permafrost is thawing at rapid rates, which threatens to expose large stores of soil organic carbon to microbial degradation. As microbes utilize this carbon source, they produce greenhouse gasses (GHGs; CO2 and CH4) that can be emitted to the atmosphere and act as a positive feedback during future global temperature increases. While the permafrost carbon feedback has received much attention in the literature, little is known about the multiphase flow properties and the temperature dependence of microbial GHG production rates in thawing permafrost, both of which are essential for predicting GHG emissions from permafrost in the future. Flow experiments of synthetic and natural permafrost specimens under frozen conditions and incubations of permafrost samples are being performed to better understand the effective and relative permeabilities and GHG production rates of thawing permafrost soils. These data will be integral in providing new source terms for permafrost and global carbon models. |
Master\'s Thesis PresentationsApril, 19 2024Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PMLocation: JGB The Master of Science (MS) degree at the Jackson School of Geosciences is considered to be the professional degree for a career in the Geosciences. This degree is the foundation for students pursuing employment in the petroleum industry, environmental and hydrogeological fields, state and federal government agencies, and other related geoscience fields. Some students also use the MS degree as preparation for pursuing a Ph.D. The Energy & Earth Resources Interdisciplinary program provides the opportunity for students to prepare themselves in management, finance, economics, law and policy leading to analytical and leadership positions in resource-related fields. The private sector and government organizations face a growing need for professionals that can plan, evaluate, and manage complex resource projects, commonly international in scope, which often include partners with a variety of professional backgrounds. As requirements for these degrees, students must present a professional talk on Master\'s Thesis Presentations. |
Hot Science - Cool Talks: \"Humans vs AI\"April, 19 2024Time: 5:30 PM - 8:15 PMLocation: Burdine 106 Advancements in AI have unleashed astonishing capabilities, but it is not magic. Peter Stone reveals his insights into cutting-edge AI and robotics and explores how they may reshape our world. Someday these technologies could win the World Cup, and they are already outperforming the best humans at complex tasks like high-speed racing. |
Planetary Habitability Seminar SeriesApril, 22 2024Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PMLocation: PMA 15.216B UT Center for Planetary Systems Habitability Seminar Series. See website for speaker schedule and more details: View Events Join remotely: https://utexas.zoom.us/j/94052130734 In person: Classroom 15.216B, Physics, Math and Astronomy Bldg. UT Austin, Department of Astronomy 2515 Speedway, Stop C1400 Austin, Texas 78712-1205 |
UTIG Discussion Hour: Nicholas Montiel - PhD Talk (UTIG)April, 23 2024Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PMLocation: ROC 2.201 |
UTIG Seminar Series: Cornelia Rasmussen, UTIGApril, 26 2024Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMLocation: PRC 196/ROC 1.603 Speaker: Cornelia Rasmussen, Research Associate, University of Texas Institute for Geophysics Host: Krista Soderlund Title: The Emerging Field Of Position-Specific Isotope Analysis: Applications in chemical forensics, exobiology, geo- and environmental sciences Abstract: Complex organics can be found all over our solar system and within each living thing on our planet, be it as part of its physiology or as a contaminant. However, different processes can lead to the formation of chemical identical molecules. This makes answering a number of scientific questions challenging. One example is distinguishing between biotic and abiotic molecules, hence hindering life detection on early Earth but especially on other planetary bodies, such as on Mars, Titan, Enceladus and on meteorites where organics have been detected. Moreover, tracing molecules as they move through the environment can be demanding, yet is essential in studying the flow of organic molecules as well as correlating pollutants with their source. Novel tools to address these challenges are currently being developed. Especially, the emerging field of position-specific isotope analysis is beginning to grant access to the unique intramolecular carbon (13C/12C) isotope fingerprint preserved in complex molecules. This fingerprint can be applied in various scientific disciplines, ranging from forensics to exobiology, geo- and environmental sciences, including geo health. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) has the potential to become a key player in this research area, as it allows the analysis of organics within complex mixtures, all without the need to fragment the molecule into single carbon units or the combustion of the molecule of interest. We have been developing several NMR tools that allow us to investigate the intramolecular carbon isotope distribution within various molecule classes and to test the central hypothesis that the position-specific carbon isotope distribution within complex organics depends on a molecule’s source and formation history. |
Planetary Habitability Seminar SeriesApril, 29 2024Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PMLocation: PMA 15.216B UT Center for Planetary Systems Habitability Seminar Series. See website for speaker schedule and more details: View Events Join remotely: https://utexas.zoom.us/j/94052130734 In person: Classroom 15.216B, Physics, Math and Astronomy Bldg. UT Austin, Department of Astronomy 2515 Speedway, Stop C1400 Austin, Texas 78712-1205 |
UTIG Discussion Hour: Kristian Chan - PhD Talk (UTIG)April, 30 2024Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PMLocation: ROC 2.201 |