Methane level in Nord Stream leak zone exceeds the norm by 1,000 times

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg found that methane levels near the leak site on

the gas pipeline was approximately a thousand times higher than normal. Scientists collected samples for further analysis.

The University of Gothenburg organized a five-dayscientific expedition to the area of ​​the accident at the Nord Stream. Methane gas dissolves in water, but when it reaches the surface, it turns back into a gas and is released into the atmosphere. How long the elevated levels of methane in the Baltic Sea will last depends on the currents and when the leak stops.

A methane release was detected on September 26, and sinceSince then, the gas continues to seep out of the pipe into the water. According to Katharina Abrahamsson, head of the study, it was important for scientists to get to the scene of the accident as soon as possible in order to assess the environmental consequences. Within 54 hours, the research vessel took about 200 water samples.

Research map.Yellow diamonds mark water intake points, red diamonds indicate leakage points. The dark blue square marks the Danish economic zone where research was not possible. Image: University of Gothenburg

The researchers found that the level of gas insampling sites in the Baltic Sea exceeded the norm by more than a thousand times. To map the distribution of methane, the scientists sampled 20 different locations, ranging from 9 to 18 km apart. Unfortunately, it is impossible to draw up a complete picture yet, because due to the short time frame for organizing the expedition, the scientists did not have time to get permission from Denmark. Therefore, all studies were carried out only in Swedish territorial waters.

It is not yet clear what effect high levels of methanecould have an effect on marine life, the scientists add. For example, there are bacteria in water that can oxidize methane gas to grow and multiply. To draw final conclusions, scientists plan to investigate the presence of different DNA in water samples.

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On the cover: sensors for water intake. Image: Katarina Abrahamsson