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Study Reveals That Trillions of Tons of Geological Hydrogen Present Underground Could Become a Primary Source of Clean and Sustainable Energy for Over a Thousand Years.
A recent study revealed that trillions of tons of natural hydrogen are hidden beneath the Earth’s surface.
The discovery, led by geochemist Geoffrey Ellis from the US Geological Survey (USGS), may indicate that about 5.6 trillion metric tons of this gas could be trapped in underground rocks and reservoirs around the planet.
If confirmed, this amount would be enough to meet humanity’s energy needs for at least 1,000 years.
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Even if only a small fraction of this hydrogen were utilized, researchers estimate it would already be sufficient to drastically reduce global dependence on fossil fuels.
How Hydrogen Is Formed
Natural hydrogen, also known as geological hydrogen, is produced by natural geochemical processes.
The combination of chemical reactions between rocks and water, over millennia, creates this colorless and highly energetic gas.
Unlike industrially produced hydrogen, which demands high costs and consumes energy, geological hydrogen is found in its natural form, ready for use.
So far, it has been identified in a few locations around the world, such as Albania and Mali. In these countries, small reserves have already been found and analyzed.
However, the study suggests that these occurrences are just the tip of a much larger potential spread globally.
Global Potential and Access Limitations
According to the study published in the journal Science Advances, the potential of geological hydrogen on the planet varies between 103 and 1010 million metric tons.
The most likely value is approximately 5.6 million metric tons (Mt), equivalent to the weight of 3.7 million cars or 1.56 billion flamingos, as highlighted by the authors.
However, not all reserves are easily accessible. Many of them are at extreme depths or in locations far from the coast, making extraction economically unfeasible.
Additionally, some of the reserves may be too small to justify exploration.
Despite these limitations, scientists assert that there is enough underground hydrogen to meet global energy needs.
Even if only 2% of this gas were utilized, it would be capable of sustaining the planet for approximately 200 years, keeping carbon emissions close to zero.
Hydrogen as a Low-Carbon Alternative
Hydrogen energy is considered a clean and promising alternative. When used as fuel, it releases only water vapor as a byproduct, making it a low environmental impact resource.
According to the study, underground hydrogen has an impressive energy density: approximately 1.4 × 1016 megajoules (MJ), more than all proven natural gas reserves, estimated at 8.4 × 1015 MJ.
For researchers, exploring the potential of geological hydrogen could be an effective way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
However, the study highlights the need for further research to better understand the distribution, behavior, and extraction mechanisms of this natural resource.
Forecast Model
The scientists created a model to estimate the size of global reserves. This model combines data on the occurrence and behavior of hydrogen with known geological information. Thus, they were able to predict the existence of large underground reservoirs spread around the world.
Geoffrey Ellis, the lead author of the study, explained to Live Science that the projections are optimistic but not definitive.
“It’s possible that most of this hydrogen remains inaccessible, but it is still an extraordinary amount,” the researcher stated.
New Research on the Horizon
The discovery paves the way for a more sustainable future but also raises important questions.
What are the best methods for extracting natural hydrogen without harming the environment? How can the process be made economically viable and efficient? These are some of the questions that should guide future research.
With such a significant amount of energy hidden beneath our feet, geological hydrogen emerges as a real hope for a world seeking sustainable, low-carbon energy solutions.
Se fosse eu, não mexeria com isso, imagino que o ar,a água,e tudo que existe, é a reação do hidrogênio com outros agentes químicos,se não se sabe de onde ele vem,deixa ele lá quieto 🤫 ou tudo pode entrar em colapso
Ham? Entendi foi nada 😁
A descoberta do navio português Bom Jesus, desaparecido em 1533 carregado com tesouros no deserto da Namíbia, comprova que as mudanças climáticas são parte dos ciclos naturais da Terra. Independem das ações do homem, que nào tem esse poder propagado por narrativas repetidas, parciais e sem comprovação científica. Em 1533 o ser humano não praticava o agronegócio, não tinha máquinas para cortar florestas. O Brasil é a mãe da Humanidade: não fosse nossa competência em produzir alimentos, o mundo morreria de fome. Existe grande inveja e outros países tentam destruir o agronegócio para escravizar os brasileiros com a fome.
Parabéns pe sábia reflexão!!