Natural hydrogen

Natural hydrogen (known as white hydrogen or gold hydrogen), is naturally occurring molecular hydrogen on or in Earth (as opposed to hydrogen produced in the laboratory or in industry). The name white hydrogen distinguishes it from green hydrogen, which is produced from renewable energy sources from the electrolysis of water, and from grey, brown or black hydrogen, which is obtained from fossil sources. Natural hydrogen may be renewable, non-polluting and allows for lower cost operation compared to industrial hydrogen.
Natural hydrogen has been identified in many source rocks in areas beyond the sedimentary basins where oil companies typically operate.

Origin of natural hydrogen 
There are several sources of natural hydrogen:

 degassing of deep hydrogen from the Earth's crust and mantle;
 reaction of water with ultrabasic rocks (serpentinisation);
 contact of water with reducing agents in the Earth's mantle;
 interaction of water with freshly exposed rock surfaces (weathering);
 decomposition of hydroxyl ions in the structure of minerals;
 Natural radiolysis of water;
 decomposition of organic matter;
 biological activity

Reserves

Several sources have been identified in France. Geologists Alain Prinzhofer and Eric Derville have demonstrated the existence of large reservoirs in a dozen countries, including Mali and the United States. 
However, their potential remains difficult to assess.

Numerous emanations on the ocean floor have been identified but are difficult to exploit. The discovery of a significant emergence in Russia in 2008 suggests the possibility of extracting native hydrogen in geological environments.

Extraction

Geology 
Natural hydrogen is generated continuously from a variety of natural sources. There are many known hydrogen emergences on mid-ocean ridges. Another of the known reactions, serpentinisation, occurs under the sea floor (in the oceanic crust).

Diagenetic origin (iron oxidation) in the sedimentary basins of cratons, notably in Russia.
Other sources are being explored, such as mantle hydrogen, or hydrogen from radiolysis (natural electrolysis) or from bacterial activity.
In France, the Alps and Pyrenees are suitable for exploitation. New Caledonia has hyperalkaline sources that show dihydrogen emissions. A large accumulation of natural hydrogen was discovered in Bourakebougou (Mali).

Characteristics 
Dihydrogen is very soluble in fresh water, especially at depth (solubility increases with pressure).

Literature
The foundation of modern views on primordial natural hydrogen captured by the Earth in the process of its accretion from the post-nebula cloud was established by Vladimir Vernadsky, with cosmogonical aspects anticipated by Dr. Fred Hoyle. In 1960s - 2000s, Dr. V.N. Larin developed the Primordially Hydridic Earth concept describing deep-seated natural hydrogen prominence and migration paths.

Quality 
Natural hydrogen causes no CO2 emissions. Exploitation is competitive with steam reforming, especially in co-valorisation.

See also 
 Pure-play helium
 Electrofuel
 Hydrogen economy
 Hydrogen production

References

Bibliography 
 Larin V.N. 1975 Hydridic Earth: The New Geology of Our Primordially Hydrogen-Rich Planet (Moscow: Izd. IMGRE) in Russian
 V.N. Larin (1993). Hydridic Earth, Polar Publishing, Calgary, Alberta. https://archive.org/details/Hydridic_Earth_Larin_1993
 Our Earth. V.N. Larin, Agar, 2005 (rus.) https://archive.org/details/B-001-026-834-PDF-060 
 
 
 
 
Gregory Paita, Master Thesis, Engie & Université de Montpellier.
 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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Hydrogen