Natural Hydrogen

• 03 May 2025

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

Natural hydrogen, a potentially clean, abundant, and low-cost energy source, is gaining global attention as a game-changer in the transition to green energy. 

What are Key Facts About Natural Hydrogen? 

• About: Natural hydrogen, also called geologic hydrogen or white hydrogen, refers to hydrogen gas (H₂) that is naturally produced and stored in the Earth's crust.  
  • Unlike manufactured hydrogen (from fossil fuels or renewables), natural hydrogen is produced geologically—raising hopes for a sustainable energy revolution. 
• Formation: Natural hydrogen exists freely underground, and formed through natural geological processes like- 
  • Serpentinisation: Reaction of water with iron-rich rocks. 
  • Radiolysis: Splitting of water by radioactive rocks. 
  • Organic Decomposition: From deep burial of organic matter.  

• Discovery: In 1987, a borehole in Bourakébougou, Mali, revealed a mysterious flame—later found to be 98% pure hydrogen in 2012. 
  • Major discoveries in France (Lorraine & Moselle) revealed 92 million tonnes of hydrogen (half of global production). 
• Major Reserves: Hydrogen seeps have been documented in more than 10 countries, including Australia, the USA, France, South Korea, Canada, and Spain. 
• India’s Natural Hydrogen Potential: India’s geological structures make it a high-potential zone for natural hydrogen: 
  • Ultramafic and mafic rocks, ophiolite belts, and greenstone formations. 
  • Sedimentary basins in Vindhyan, Cuddapah, Gondwana, and Chhattisgarh. 
  • Hydrothermal systems and hot springs signal possible underground generation 
• Potential Impact: If only 2% of global geological hydrogen is recoverable, it could match twice the energy of all known natural gas reserves and meet global hydrogen demand for 200 years. 
• Cost Efficiency: Production cost is estimated at USD 1/kg or less, cheaper than both green and grey hydrogen. 
  • A global “hydrogen rush” is underway, with companies exploring natural hydrogen rising from 10 in 2020 to 40 in 2023. 

Note: Hydrogen makes up about 75% of the universe's mass, but only 0.5–1.0 ppm (parts per million) of Earth's atmosphere. In Earth's crust, it accounts for 0.75% by weight. 

What is Green Hydrogen? 

Click Here to Read: Green Hydrogen 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims 

Q. Which of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, powered by hydrogen? (2024) 

(a) Hydrogen peroxide 

(b) Hydronium 

(c) Oxygen 

(d) Water vapour 

Ans: (d) 

Q. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce one of the following as “exhaust” (2010) 

(a) NH3  

(c) H2O  

(b) CH4 

(d) H2O2 

Ans: (c)