Pelagic methane sink enhanced by benthic methanotrophs ejected from a gas seep

Abstract Cold seeps represent hot spots of seabed‐derived methane emissions to the water column, where physical and biological barriers regulate transport atmosphere. In our study, we used a point source in North Sea investigate water‐column dynamics within dispersing plumes. The study is based on concentration, distribution activity methane‐oxidizing bacteria (MOB), oceanographic observations. Our findings suggest ejection benthic MOB into column by sediment resuspension gas‐bubble‐mediated transport. An applied particle‐tracking model demonstrated that 4.29 ± 1.9 × 10 12 cells s −1 from seep site would produce abundance detected down‐current body. inoculant accelerated oxidation rates factor five. highlights importance bentho‐pelagic microorganisms at sites their feedback pelagic sink.