Enrichment mechanisms of natural hydrogen and predictions for favorable exploration areas in China

IF 3.1 3区地球科学 Q1 GEOCHEMISTRY & GEOPHYSICS

Applied Geochemistry Pub Date : 2025-02-18 DOI:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2025.106316

Shuai Wang , Shu Jiang , Xuelian Huang , Shihua Qi , Jingyu Lin , Yongjie Han , Yang Wang , Xueqing Wu , Guodong Zheng

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Natural hydrogen (H₂) is widely distributed and holds significant potential as future energy source. Global exploration and development efforts have identified many promising regions for natural H₂ reservoirs. This review examines the origins, migration, and enrichment mechanisms of natural H₂, focusing on the primary geological environments and genetic types of known high-concentration H₂ reservoirs worldwide. We conclude that H₂-rich natural gas tends to accumulate in specific geological settings, including tectonically active zones such as ophiolite belts at convergent plate margins and rift zones, as well as tectonically stable regions like the Precambrian continental basement. The exploration and development of natural H₂ in China are at an early stage, but the Chinese continental geology shows promising conditions for high-concentration H₂ resources. Based on the identified natural H₂ occurrence patterns, we predict favorable exploration directions for natural H₂ in China, particularly in the subduction zones of the Pacific Plate and the North China Plate-South China Plate, the collision zone between the Siberian Plate and the Tarim Plate, and the basins surrounding the Qiangtang-South China Plate and Gondwana Plate collision zone.

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来源期刊

Applied Geochemistry 地学-地球化学与地球物理

CiteScore

6.10

自引率

8.80%

发文量

272

审稿时长

65 days

期刊介绍： Applied Geochemistry is an international journal devoted to publication of original research papers, rapid research communications and selected review papers in geochemistry and urban geochemistry which have some practical application to an aspect of human endeavour, such as the preservation of the environment, health, waste disposal and the search for resources. Papers on applications of inorganic, organic and isotope geochemistry and geochemical processes are therefore welcome provided they meet the main criterion. Spatial and temporal monitoring case studies are only of interest to our international readership if they present new ideas of broad application. Topics covered include: (1) Environmental geochemistry (including natural and anthropogenic aspects, and protection and remediation strategies); (2) Hydrogeochemistry (surface and groundwater); (3) Medical (urban) geochemistry; (4) The search for energy resources (in particular unconventional oil and gas or emerging metal resources); (5) Energy exploitation (in particular geothermal energy and CCS); (6) Upgrading of energy and mineral resources where there is a direct geochemical application; and (7) Waste disposal, including nuclear waste disposal.