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https://www.yahoo.com/news/went-hunting-fossil-fuels-found-050016262.html
Skip the hype on implications, and instead focus on the geology and geochemistry.
This is one of those TIL bits of information.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/went-hunting-fossil-fuels-found-050016262.htmlJacques Pironon and Phillipe De Donato, both directors of research at France’s National Centre of Scientific Research, were assessing the amount of methane in the subsoils of the Lorraine mining basin using a “world first” specialized probe, able to analyze gases dissolved in the water of rock formations deep underground.
A couple of hundred meters down, the probe found low concentrations of hydrogen. “This was not a real surprise for us,” Pironon told CNN; it’s common to find small amounts near the surface of a borehole. But as the probe went deeper, the concentration ticked up. At 1,100 meters down it was 14%, at 1,250 meters it was 20%.
'White' hydrogen deposits have been found throughout the world, including in the US, eastern Europe, Russia, Australia, Oman, as well as France and Mali.
Geological deposits of hydrogen refer to natural accumulations of hydrogen gas that occur in the Earth's crust. These deposits can form through various geological processes, including the thermal decomposition of organic matter, reactions between water and minerals, and the alteration of certain types of rocks. Hydrogen can be stored in porous rock formations or trapped in geological structures, similar to how oil and natural gas are found.
Hydrogen deposits can form through several processes. One common method is biogenic production, where microorganisms break down organic matter under anaerobic conditions, producing hydrogen as a byproduct. Another process is thermogenic generation, where high temperatures and pressures convert organic materials into hydrogen over geological timescales. Additionally, hydrogen can be produced through water-rock reactions, particularly in ultramafic rocks, where minerals react with water to release hydrogen gas.
The largest geological deposits of hydrogen are often found in regions with significant geological activity, such as tectonic plate boundaries and areas with volcanic activity. Specific locations include parts of the United States, such as the Appalachian Basin, and regions in Europe and Asia where geological formations are conducive to hydrogen accumulation. However, extensive exploration is still needed to identify and quantify these deposits accurately.
Geological hydrogen deposits have several potential uses, primarily as a clean energy source. Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity, in industrial processes such as ammonia production, and as a feedstock for synthetic fuels. Additionally, hydrogen can serve as a means of energy storage, allowing for the integration of renewable energy sources and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when used as a clean fuel.
Extracting hydrogen from geological deposits presents several challenges, including the technical difficulties of accessing and producing hydrogen safely and efficiently. There are concerns about the economic viability of extraction methods, as well as environmental impacts, such as groundwater contamination and land use changes. Additionally, the infrastructure for hydrogen transportation and storage needs further development to support widespread use of geological hydrogen resources.