| Summary: | This dataset contains all the necessary data for reproducing the results in the article. "Reduced methane seepage from Arctic sediments during cold bottom-water conditions" Abstract: Large amounts of methane are trapped within sub-seabed sediments in the Arctic ocean. Seasonal bottom water warming may induce the release of methane from the seafloor, yet methane seepage surveys mainly occur in summer. Here, we compare the seepage activity along the gas hydrate stability limit offshore Svalbard between cold and warm seasons. Hydro-acoustic surveys revealed decreased seepage activity during cold bottom water conditions, with 43 % fewer flares and methane release rates than under warmer conditions. For the first time, we demonstrate that cold seeps “hibernate” during cold seasons when more free methane gas becomes trapped in the sub-seabed sediments. Such a greenhouse gas capacitor increases the potential for methane release during summer months. Seasonal bottom water temperature variations are common in the Arctic continental shelves, and thus methane-seep hibernation is likely a widespread phenomenon underappreciated in previous global methane budgets.
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