Impact of anaerobic oxidation of methane on the carbon, nitrogen and sulfur isotopic composition in sediments of the northeastern Japan Sea

Understanding of biogeochemical cycles in the methane hydrate-bearing areas is important for marine resource development and management for a sustainable marine ecosystem. To characterize the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling in Umitaka Spur and Sakata Knoll, where are the methane hydrate-bearing areas in the eastern Japan Sea, the geochemical data including these elemental isotopic compositions and microbial community structure were evaluated in and around microbial mat-covered sediments associated with a methane seepage.