By Scout Nelson
The 1,200-mile Midcontinent Rift is a region of volcanic materials that was left behind when North America almost split in two 1.1 billion years ago. Natural hydrogen, a possible renewable energy source, might be produced using this fissure. This hydrogen might significantly lessen reliance on fossil fuels, and researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are looking into ways to obtain it.
Hydrogen offers numerous advantages as it produces no carbon emissions. Unlike fossil fuels, which take millions of years to form, hydrogen is continuously renewed underground when water interacts with volcanic rock.
However, understanding the processes involved in natural hydrogen production is still in its early stages. “Our understanding of processes governing the production, migration and accumulation of evasive natural hydrogen in the continental deep subsurface is still in its infancy,” said Seunghee Kim, a project principal investigator.
To test the potential for hydrogen production in the rift, a test well was drilled in Nebraska five years ago. Early data indicates promising results, suggesting that geomechanical and biogeochemical conditions in the rift may limit hydrogen loss. “It could be deep enough to be stored but shallow enough that we can access it,” explained Karrie Weber, another investigator on the project.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that there may be tens of millions to tens of billions of megatons of hydrogen in Earth's crust. However, much of this hydrogen is too deep or located offshore, making sites like the Midcontinent Rift particularly valuable. Other global rift systems in countries like France, Germany, and Russia could also yield hydrogen.
The Nebraska team will explore crucial questions regarding hydrogen flow, storage feasibility, and its interaction with subsurface fluids and microorganisms. The project is funded by a five-year, $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering initiative, showcasing Nebraska’s potential leadership in the emerging hydrogen economy.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-kn1
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