Scientists Discover Potential Hydrogen Reservoirs Beneath Earth's Crust

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Recent research indicates that the Earth's crust may house significant reservoirs of hydrogen, potentially meeting global energy demands for the next 170,000 years. A study published in Nature Reviews Earth and Environment suggests that hydrogen has naturally accumulated over the past billion years in various geological formations across at least 30 U.S. states and in several other regions worldwide, according to lead author Chris Ballentine, a geochemistry professor at the University of Oxford.

The research details essential geological conditions necessary for hydrogen formation, including the presence of source rocks, reservoir rocks, and natural seals that trap gas underground. Ballentine highlighted locations such as Kansas, where ancient geological features may provide ideal habitats for hydrogen accumulation.

The study outlines that hydrogen production methods include chemical reactions that separate water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. It emphasizes that while hydrogen is a crucial industrial chemical and clean energy source, current production methods are highly carbon-intensive. The findings aim to guide exploration strategies that could unlock cleaner hydrogen sources, minimizing carbon footprints, as the world transitions away from fossil fuels.

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