Current Events Current Affairs Analysis
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists and USGS have started formal hydrogen exploration initiatives.
What is Natural Hydrogen?
Hydrogenis considered thefuel of the futuredue to itspotential to decarbonise the global economyand reducegreenhouse gas emissionssignificantly.
Natural hydrogen, also known aswhite hydrogen, refers tonaturally occurring molecular hydrogenin the Earth’s crust, unlike industrially produced hydrogen.
How is Natural Hydrogen Formed?
It is generated throughgeological processes, primarily:
oSerpentinisation– a reaction betweenwater and iron-rich rocks.
oRadiolysis– breakdown ofwater molecules by radioactive rocks.
oDecomposition of organic matterin deep geological formations.
Why is Natural Hydrogen Important?
Natural hydrogen is a clean energy sourcethat, if harvested sustainably, cansignificantly reduce carbon emissions.
It can provide alow-cost and low-emission alternativeto conventional hydrogen sources likegrey hydrogen(from natural gas) andgreen hydrogen(from renewable electricity).
Thecost of natural hydrogen extractionmay fall to around$1/kg or less, which islower than current green hydrogen production costs.
Natural hydrogen is typically associated withtectonically active regions,ultramafic and basaltic rocks,ophiolite complexes, andhydrothermal systems.
InIndia, potential-rich regions include:
oCratonic belts(e.g.,Dharwar,Singhbhum)
oSedimentary basins(e.g.,Vindhyan,Cuddapah,Gondwana,Chhattisgarh)
oOphiolitic zonesin theAndaman Islands and Himalayas.
oBasement rock fracture zones and hot springs.
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