Could
Natural Hydrogen Releases in Ophiolitic Belts be a Source for Energy
Conversion?
Hydrogen gas in ophiolitic rocks has become a subject of increasing interest, particularly with the emergence of natural hydrogen production. Ophiolites are fragments of oceanic crust and the underlying upper mantle that have been uplifted and exposed above sea level, often associated with tectonic processes. These rocks generally consist of varying degrees of serpentinized ultramafic rocks, rich in iron and magnesium silicates.
Serpentinization is one of the primary mechanisms of hydrogen production within the ophiolitic series and can be defined as a chemical reaction in which ultramafic rocks interact with water. This reaction results in the formation of serpentine minerals and the release of hydrogen gas. This process is the oxidation of olivine or pyroxene iron (Fe⁺²), releasing hydrogen (H₂) as a byproduct. This process is often associated with hydrothermal systems where water penetrates deep into the crust, reacts with mantle rocks, and produces hydrogen.
Hydrogen released during serpentinization can, in addition
to hydrogen production, react with carbonate rocks such as limestone present in
the environment to form abiotic methane (CH₄) via Fischer-Tropsch-type
reactions. Ophiolitic complexes where such hydrogen-producing processes are
active are found all over the world, generally associated with tectonic plate
boundaries and subduction zones. Regions containing the ophiolitic series known
as the Tethys Belt include Oman, Greece, Turkey, and Albania, where significant
chromium deposits are found.
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