Rift-inversion orogens are potential hot spots for natural H<sub>2</sub> generation.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 39970211.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.adr3418 and PMC identifier 11838002.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Naturally occurring hydrogen gas (H<sub>2</sub>) represents a potential source of clean energy. A promising mechanism for large-scale natural H<sub>2</sub> generation is serpentinization of exhumed mantle material. We study this serpentinization-related H<sub>2</sub> generation during rifting and subsequent rift-inversion orogen development using numerical geodynamic models. Serpentinization-related H<sub>2</sub> generation is best known from rifted margins and spreading ridges. However, because orogens are colder than rift environments, conditions for serpentinization and natural H<sub>2</sub> generation are considerably better in orogenic settings: We find that yearly H<sub>2</sub> generation capacity from serpentinization in the overriding mantle wedge during rift inversion may be up to 20 times larger than during rifting. Moreover, suitable reservoirs and seals required for economic H<sub>2</sub> accumulations to form are readily available in rift-inversion orogens but are likely absent during bulk serpentinization in rift settings. Together with indications of ongoing natural H<sub>2</sub> generation in the Balkans and Pyrenees, our model results provide a first-order motivation for natural H<sub>2</sub> exploration in rift-inversion orogens.