Nord Stream methane spread across the southern Baltic Sea

Published: Jan 15, 2025 by B. Y. Queste

A new study in Nature Communications shows how methane from the destroyed Nord Stream pipelines spread across a large part of the southern Baltic Sea and remained detectable for several months after the leak.

The study combined high-resolution underwater glider observations with surface measurements from ferries and data from the University of Gothenburg’s R/V Skagerak. Together, these observations provided a detailed picture of how methane was transported by ocean currents after the September 2022 pipeline explosions.

The team estimates that more than 14% of the Baltic Sea was exposed to methane concentrations at least five times above normal levels, with elevated concentrations reaching multiple marine protected areas.

Read the University of Gothenburg news story: Nord Stream methane spread across the southern Baltic Sea