Natural hydrogen (known as white hydrogen, geologic hydrogen[1] or gold hydrogen), is hydrogen that is formed by natural processes[2][3] (as opposed to hydrogen produced in a laboratory or in industry). By contrast
green hydrogen is produced from
renewable energy sources, while grey, brown, blue or black hydrogen are obtained from
fossil fuels.[4] White hydrogen may be renewable. It is non-polluting and offers lower costs than
industrial hydrogen.[5] Natural hydrogen has been identified in many source rocks in areas beyond the
sedimentary basins where oil companies typically operate.[6][7]
According to the Financial Times, there are 5 trillion tons of natural hydrogen reserves worldwide.[10] A discovery in Russia in 2008 suggests the possibility of extracting native hydrogen in geological environments.[citation needed] Reserves have been identified in France,[11]Mali, the United States and approximately a dozen other countries.[12]
An accumulation of natural hydrogen was discovered in a water well in Bourakébougou, Mali, that was exploited to power the nearby village.[13] In 2023 Pironon and de Donato announced the discovery of a deposit they estimated to be some 46 million to 260 million metric tons (several years worth of 2020s production).[13] In 2024, a natural deposit of helium and hydrogen was discovered in Rukwa, Tanzania.[14]
White hydrogen could be found or produced in the
Mid-continental Rift System at scale. Water could be pumped down to hot iron-rich rock to produce hydrogen for extraction.[15]
Geology
Natural hydrogen is generated from various sources. Many hydrogen emergences have been identified on
mid-ocean ridges.[16] Serpentinisation occurs in the oceanic crust.
Diagenetic origin (iron oxidation) in the
sedimentary basins of
cratons, notably are found in Russia.
Mantle hydrogen and hydrogen from
radiolysis (natural
electrolysis) or from
bacterial activity are under investigation. In France, the
Alps and
Pyrenees are suitable for exploitation.[17] New Caledonia has hyperalkaline sources that show
hydrogen emissions.[18]
Hydrogen is soluble in fresh water, especially at moderate depths as
solubility generally increases with pressure. However, at greater depths and pressures, such as within the mantle,[19] the solubility decreases due to the highly assymetric nature of mixtures of hydrogen and water.
Literature
Vladimir Vernadsky originated the concept of natural hydrogen captured by the Earth in the process of formation from the post-nebula cloud. Cosmogonical aspects were anticipated by
Fred Hoyle. From 1960-2010, V.N. Larin developed the Primordially Hydridic Earth concept[20][dubious –
discuss] that described deep-seated natural hydrogen prominence[21] and migration paths.
^La rédaction: Hydrogène naturel : une source potentielle d'énergie renouvelable. In: La Revue des Transitions. 7 November 2019, retrieved 17 January 2022 (in French).
^Deville, Eric; Prinzhofer, Alain (November 2016). "The origin of N2-H2-CH4-rich natural gas seepages in ophiolitic context: A major and noble gases study of fluid seepages in New Caledonia". Chemical Geology. 440: 139–147.
Bibcode:
2016ChGeo.440..139D.
doi:
10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.06.011.
^Gregory Paita, Master Thesis, Engie & Université de Montpellier.
^Zgonnik, P. Malbrunot: L'Hydrogene Naturel. Hrsg.: AFHYPAC Association française pour l'hydrogène et les piles à combustible. August 2020, S. 8 p., p. 5 (in French).
^"Our Earth". V. N. Larin, Agar, 2005 (in Russian)
^Prinzhofer, Alain; Tahara Cissé, Cheick Sidy; Diallo, Aliou Boubacar (October 2018). "Discovery of a large accumulation of natural hydrogen in Bourakébougou (Mali)". International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 43 (42): 19315–19326.
doi:
10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.08.193.
S2CID105839304.
Deville, Eric; Prinzhofer, Alain (November 2016). "The origin of N2-H2-CH4-rich natural gas seepages in ophiolitic context: A major and noble gases study of fluid seepages in New Caledonia". Chemical Geology. 440: 139–147.
Bibcode:
2016ChGeo.440..139D.
doi:
10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.06.011.
Gregory Paita, Master Thesis, Engie & Université de Montpellier.[title missing]
Moretti I., Pierre H. Pour la Science, special issue in partnership with Engie, vol. 485; 2018. p. 28. N march. Moretti I, D'Agostino A, Werly J, Ghost C, Defrenne D, Gorintin L. Pour la Science, special issue, March 2018, vol 485, 24 25XXII_XXVI.[title missing]
Prinzhofer, Alain; Tahara Cissé, Cheick Sidy; Diallo, Aliou Boubacar (October 2018). "Discovery of a large accumulation of natural hydrogen in Bourakébougou (Mali)". International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 43 (42): 19315–19326.
doi:
10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.08.193.
S2CID105839304.