| Sediments collected from various cores in Mississippi Canyon 118 were tested to evaluate the abilities to promote natural gas hydrate formation. Hydrate memory effects of sediments with in-situ seawater were of a major concern. Their possible mechanisms were combined to give an overall hypothesis on the bioproducts-mineral-microorganism system. Unique permanent memory effects in the sediment were found. Temperatures from 50 to 65°C dissipated memory effects by disrupting microbial cell wall.;The catalytic effect of purified surfactin from Bacillus subtilis on hydrate formation was studied in the presence of smectite clays. The interlayer spacings of clays measured by X-ray powder diffraction indicated that hydrate formation and surfactin adsorption on the smectite clays have impacts on their structures.;Laboratory gas sequestering was also conducted by hydrate formation to study the factors that may affect the separation of its hydrate-forming gases. The effects of agitation, temperature, initial pressure and thermal conductors were explored. |
