Can Weathering of Banded Iron Formations Generate Natural Hydrogen? Evidence from Australia, Brazil and South Africa
Oxidation of iron-rich rock is known to generate H<sub>2</sub> in oceanic as well as in continental domains. Here we tested the possibility of H<sub>2</sub> generation as the result of weathering of banded iron formations (BIF). The BIF constitute more than 60% of global iron...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/2/163 |
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| author | Ugo Geymond Erick Ramanaidou Dan Lévy Abderrahim Ouaya Isabelle Moretti |
| author_facet | Ugo Geymond Erick Ramanaidou Dan Lévy Abderrahim Ouaya Isabelle Moretti |
| author_sort | Ugo Geymond |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Oxidation of iron-rich rock is known to generate H<sub>2</sub> in oceanic as well as in continental domains. Here we tested the possibility of H<sub>2</sub> generation as the result of weathering of banded iron formations (BIF). The BIF constitute more than 60% of global iron ore reserves with low Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Fe<sub>tot</sub> and total Fe ranging from 20 to 40 wt% and are therefore good candidates for H<sub>2</sub> production potential. In the vicinity of BIF-hosted iron mines in Australia, Brazil and South Africa, satellite imaging has revealed the presence of sub-circular depressions that usually are the proxy of H<sub>2</sub>-emitting features. A morphological comparison of the sub-circular depressions with the ones observed in previous studies point to probable H<sub>2</sub> seeping in these areas. In parallel, a petrological study conducted on altered and fresh BIF samples from the Hamersley Province in Western Australia also suggests H<sub>2</sub> generation during BIF weathering. Indeed, mineral transitions from ferrous silicate (riebeckite and/or minnesotaite) to ferric iron oxi-hydroxides (goethite) or from ferrous and ferric oxides (magnetite) to exclusively ferric oxides (maghemite, hematite, goethite) were observed on the samples. The oxidation of ferrous iron by aqueous fluids circulating through and leaching the BIF is promising for H<sub>2</sub> generation. The BIF weathering profile suggests that the limiting factor is the presence of water, and that this reaction is happening at, or near, surface temperature. This challenges the idea that high temperatures are required to generate H<sub>2</sub> as it is the case during the serpentinization. The link between BIF and H<sub>2</sub> will have however to be further investigated to better constrain the reactions and their kinetics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:22:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-352a389050ac4e7e9ea3fbb230297a62 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:22:33Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-352a389050ac4e7e9ea3fbb230297a622023-11-23T21:17:52ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2022-01-0112216310.3390/min12020163Can Weathering of Banded Iron Formations Generate Natural Hydrogen? Evidence from Australia, Brazil and South AfricaUgo Geymond0Erick Ramanaidou1Dan Lévy2Abderrahim Ouaya3Isabelle Moretti4Laboratoire des Fluides Complexes et leurs Réservoirs (LFCR)—E2S UPPA, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, 64012 Pau, FranceCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Kensington, WA 6151, AustraliaLaboratoire des Fluides Complexes et leurs Réservoirs (LFCR)—E2S UPPA, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, 64012 Pau, FranceLaboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE), IPSL, CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, FranceLaboratoire des Fluides Complexes et leurs Réservoirs (LFCR)—E2S UPPA, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, 64012 Pau, FranceOxidation of iron-rich rock is known to generate H<sub>2</sub> in oceanic as well as in continental domains. Here we tested the possibility of H<sub>2</sub> generation as the result of weathering of banded iron formations (BIF). The BIF constitute more than 60% of global iron ore reserves with low Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Fe<sub>tot</sub> and total Fe ranging from 20 to 40 wt% and are therefore good candidates for H<sub>2</sub> production potential. In the vicinity of BIF-hosted iron mines in Australia, Brazil and South Africa, satellite imaging has revealed the presence of sub-circular depressions that usually are the proxy of H<sub>2</sub>-emitting features. A morphological comparison of the sub-circular depressions with the ones observed in previous studies point to probable H<sub>2</sub> seeping in these areas. In parallel, a petrological study conducted on altered and fresh BIF samples from the Hamersley Province in Western Australia also suggests H<sub>2</sub> generation during BIF weathering. Indeed, mineral transitions from ferrous silicate (riebeckite and/or minnesotaite) to ferric iron oxi-hydroxides (goethite) or from ferrous and ferric oxides (magnetite) to exclusively ferric oxides (maghemite, hematite, goethite) were observed on the samples. The oxidation of ferrous iron by aqueous fluids circulating through and leaching the BIF is promising for H<sub>2</sub> generation. The BIF weathering profile suggests that the limiting factor is the presence of water, and that this reaction is happening at, or near, surface temperature. This challenges the idea that high temperatures are required to generate H<sub>2</sub> as it is the case during the serpentinization. The link between BIF and H<sub>2</sub> will have however to be further investigated to better constrain the reactions and their kinetics.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/2/163natural hydrogenbanded iron formationiron mineAustraliaSouth-Africa |
| spellingShingle | Ugo Geymond Erick Ramanaidou Dan Lévy Abderrahim Ouaya Isabelle Moretti Can Weathering of Banded Iron Formations Generate Natural Hydrogen? Evidence from Australia, Brazil and South Africa Minerals natural hydrogen banded iron formation iron mine Australia South-Africa |
| title | Can Weathering of Banded Iron Formations Generate Natural Hydrogen? Evidence from Australia, Brazil and South Africa |
| title_full | Can Weathering of Banded Iron Formations Generate Natural Hydrogen? Evidence from Australia, Brazil and South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Can Weathering of Banded Iron Formations Generate Natural Hydrogen? Evidence from Australia, Brazil and South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can Weathering of Banded Iron Formations Generate Natural Hydrogen? Evidence from Australia, Brazil and South Africa |
| title_short | Can Weathering of Banded Iron Formations Generate Natural Hydrogen? Evidence from Australia, Brazil and South Africa |
| title_sort | can weathering of banded iron formations generate natural hydrogen evidence from australia brazil and south africa |
| topic | natural hydrogen banded iron formation iron mine Australia South-Africa |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/2/163 |
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