Experimental evidence for an ascending microflow of geogas in the ground

A microflow of free ascending gas has been observed in 26 out of 30 tested boreholes at three different sites. The flow rates vary between 60 × 10⁻⁴ and 4 cm³/min m² horizontally projected borehole area. Sampling has been made in ground boreholes as well as in holes drilled downwards from the lowest levels in two mines. The composition of the gas varies considerably. The main components of the gas are nitrogen, argon, oxygen and methane. Traces of heavier hydrocarbons are observed. At the site of the ground holes, only traces of methane are observed. In all sampled holes the existence of free oxygen is observed. The nitrogen/argon quotient is close to the atmospheric quotient in all sampled holes, indicating a partly atmospheric origin of the gas. The existence of methane and traces of heavier hydrocarbons indicates the existence of a second source.     

Geothermal investigations in the Bohus granite area in southwestern Sweden

Heat generation and heat flow were determined for the Bohus granite massif in western Sweden. This is the start of a major program concerning geothermal energy in Sweden. Neutron activation analyses, temperature measurements, thermal conductivity measurements have been carried out. As was expected the result, 76 mW m⁻², shows that even old Precambrian shields locally exhibit much higher values than normal.     

Investigation for geothermal energy in Sweden

Preliminary investigations of the geothermal energy potential in Sweden are being carried out in crystalline rocks of Precambrian age, as well as in the Triassic Buntsandstone. The geothermal potential of fracture zones is also being investigated. Different methods for prospecting have been tried and compared.     

The relative abundance of the carbon isotopes12C and13C in primary cosmic radiation

Mass measurements have been performed on stopping cosmic ray carbon nuclei in a nuclear emulsion stack, which was exposed to the primary radiation in a high altitude balloon flight. The mass determinations are based on measurements of mean track width and residual range in the range intervals 0<R<0.75 mm and 1<R<12 mm. The mean track width measurements have been performed with nuclear track photometers of special construction. The mass measurements in the interval 0<R<0.75 mm have given a nearly symmetrical mass distribution. The width of the distribution is equal to that expected for a distribution which contains only one isotope. The result indicates that one of the stable isotopes is appreciably more abundant than the other. The measurements in the range interval 1<R<12 mm gave the isotopic ratio¹³C/¹²C+¹³C)=0.08. The ratio has been extrapolated to the cosmic ray source. It is found to be smaller in the source than at the point of measurement. Different assumptions about the origin of the cosmic radiation are discussed with regard to the results obtained in this investigation.     

Microflow of geogas — A possible formation mechanism for deep-sea nodules

A formation model for deep-sea manganese nodules based on ascending bubble trains of geogas is proposed. The bubble train forces material in the sediments and particles adsorbed by the bubbles to the sediment—water interface where precipitation reactions occur. In the presence of a nucleating agent a nodule is formed. Such a model might explain a number of observations concerning nodular structure, genesis and distribution.