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Natural Hydrogen

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BPSM participants are exploring the potential of natural hydrogen and its relationship to rock-fluid system modeling.  Important issues include the relative importance of various natural mechanisms for generation, migration, and trapping.  More specifically: (1) what are the contributions of radiolysis and high-temperature decomposition of residual organic matter relative to serpentinization, and (2) what are the conditions that could effectively trap hydrogen given its substantially lower solubility in water and higher diffusion constant relative to methane?  In fact, are observed seeps of highly concentrated hydrogen a reflection of currently active generation?   Are high concentrations in some natural gasses a reflection of organic decomposition or an indication of mixed sourcing?  

BPSM students Victor Asowiji and Yashee Mathur have conducted two sampling programs near the San Andreas Fault. In addition to studying natural hydrogen concentrations, the lab analyses also include nitrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and the hydrocarbon molecules methane, ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and butane (both isomers).

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