An acoustic estimate of methane concentration in a water column in regions of methane bubble release

A remote acoustic method is presented for estimating the methane flux into water from rising bubbles. With the proposed method and data of hydroacoustic measurements in the Sea of Okhotsk, the dissolved methane concentration profile that forms in the water column in regions of methane bubble release is estimated. Comparison of the aforementioned methane concentration profile with results of direct measurements shows good quantitative and qualitative agreement. This testifies to the fair accuracy of the proposed acoustic method and is indicative of the dominant role of bubble transport in the formation of the concentration of dissolved methane in the water column in such regions.