Climate change impacts, adaptation, and the technology interface - Environmental and Human Security in the Arctic - page 120

Kerr 2004). Canada's gas hydrate research efforts are led by Scott Dallimore
and a group of scientists at the Geological Survey of Canada, as well as by a
small number of university researchers. Considerable exploration effort will
be necessary to document the presence of methane hydrates. It is generally
believed that there are considerably greater resources of natural gas hydrates
in Siberia than in Alaska and northern Canada.
It is generally accepted that stable gas hydrate concentrations are to be
found at 130m or deeper in permafrost, which would take hundreds and
thousands of years to dissociate (Haq 2000). However, as the hydrate dis-
sociates, gas is released into the permafrost material above it and may be
trapped there for later diffusion up through the soil into the atmosphere.
It is believed that most of the methane released through this process
would be oxidized through biochemical activity as it goes up through the
soil layers.
Release of large amounts of methane into the atmosphere due to permafrost
melting and the warming of the seas could cause a runaway global warming
effect. In his paper, Haq (2000:137) states: 'It is also feared that escalating
methane emissions from the hydrates and the permafrost may soon lead to
further strengthening of the on-going global warming trend and may cause
unpredictable and abrupt changes in future climatic patterns.' Further discus-
sion in this chapter is along the same line, i.e. 'a clearer understanding of what
happens to the significant quantities of gas that might be catastrophically
released from the hydrates becomes imperative. How much of this methane
makes it to the atmosphere to force additional greenhouse warming?' (Haq
2000:139). In addition, fractures in geological strata known as gas chimneys
fill a definite role in conducting methane from dissociating hydrate to the
surface (Pecher 2002).
The science and technology of natural gas hydrates has recently been com-
piled in a volume that will be useful to engineers and scientists seeking to
understand the details of gas hydrate dissociation (Carroll 2003).
Engineering for sustainable development in
Canada's North
Canada's northern industries and communities are entering a new phase of
development, as non-resource development accelerates in the North, and as
climate warming changes many aspects of natural resource management and
construction. For example, projected increases in permafrost temperatures
and in the depth of the active layer are very likely to cause settling, and to
present significant engineering challenges to infrastructure such as roads,
buildings, and industrial facilities (Hassol 2004:94). Remedial measures
are likely to be required in many cases to avoid structural failure and its
consequences.