💡Ancient Mine Water Yields Living Microbes and Hydrogen
Could ancient mines be a new source of zero-carbon fuel?
TL;DR
Researchers found living microbes feeding on hydrogen in billion-year-old brine at the Kidd Creek mine. Each borehole releases an average of 8 kg of hydrogen per year, totaling around 140 metric tons annually from over 14,000 holes.
Scientists discovered living microbes thriving on hydrogen in ancient water confined underground for a billion years at Ontario's Kidd Creek mine. This ancient brine could be a source of zero-carbon fuel if the hydrogen can be tapped efficiently. Researchers estimate that each borehole releases an average of 8 kilograms of hydrogen annually, with over 14,000 holes yielding around 140 metric tons per year. The University of Toronto is involved in research on geologic hydrogen, exploring how to stimulate its production for commercial viability.
Key Points
Kidd Creek mine's billion-year-old brine hosts living microbes that feed on hydrogen released from rock-water reactions.
Each borehole consistently releases an average of 8 kilograms of hydrogen per year over more than a decade.
Extrapolating to the over 14,000 boreholes at Kidd Creek yields around 140 metric tons of hydrogen annually.
ARPA-E funds over a dozen projects aiming to accelerate hydrogen production by injecting water or heat into reactive rocks.
In Oman, drilling and injecting water led to a well spewing out 90% hydrogen after several months.
Why It Matters
If researchers can tap the geologic hydrogen flowing from mines like Kidd Creek, it could provide a sustainable source of zero-carbon fuel. However, commercial viability remains uncertain as no one has yet reported finding a commercially viable reservoir.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this matter?
If researchers can tap the geologic hydrogen flowing from mines like Kidd Creek, it could provide a sustainable source of zero-carbon fuel. However, commercial viability remains uncertain as no one has yet reported finding a commercially viable reservoir.
What happened?
Researchers found living microbes feeding on hydrogen in billion-year-old brine at the Kidd Creek mine. Each borehole releases an average of 8 kg of hydrogen per year, totaling around 140 metric tons annually from over 14,000 holes.
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