Natural H<sub>2</sub> Emissions in Colombian Ophiolites: First Findings

The exploration of natural H<sub>2</sub> or white hydrogen has started in various geological settings. Ophiolitic nappes are already recognized as one of the promising contexts. In South America, the only data available so far concerns the Archean iron-rich rocks of the Mina Gerais in Br...

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Main Authors: Alejandra Carrillo Ramirez, Felipe Gonzalez Penagos, German Rodriguez, Isabelle Moretti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-11-01
Series:Geosciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/12/358
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author Alejandra Carrillo Ramirez
Felipe Gonzalez Penagos
German Rodriguez
Isabelle Moretti
author_facet Alejandra Carrillo Ramirez
Felipe Gonzalez Penagos
German Rodriguez
Isabelle Moretti
author_sort Alejandra Carrillo Ramirez
collection DOAJ
description The exploration of natural H<sub>2</sub> or white hydrogen has started in various geological settings. Ophiolitic nappes are already recognized as one of the promising contexts. In South America, the only data available so far concerns the Archean iron-rich rocks of the Mina Gerais in Brazil or the subduction context of Bolivia. In Colombia, despite government efforts to promote white hydrogen, data remain limited. This article introduces the initial dataset obtained through soil gas sampling within the Cauca-Patia Valley and Western Cordillera, where the underlying geology comprises accreted oceanic lithosphere. In this valley, promising areas with H<sub>2</sub> potential were identified using remote sensing tools, in particular vegetation anomalies. The Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index (ARVI) appears to be well adapted for this context and the field data collection confirmed the presence of H<sub>2</sub> in the soil in all pre-selected structures. The valley undergoes extensive cultivation, mainly for sugar cane production. While H<sub>2</sub> emissions lead to alterations in vegetation, unlike reports from other countries, they do not result in its complete disappearance. Soil gas measurements along the thrusts bordering the Cauca Valley also show high H<sub>2</sub> content in the fault zones. In the valley, the presence of sedimentary cover above the ophiolites which are presumably the H<sub>2</sub> generating rocks, which addresses the possible presence of reservoirs and seals to define potential plays. Drawing parallels with the Malian case, it could be that the intrusive element could serve as seals.
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spelling doaj.art-eae2c8226dc54f8dba7f30355662f34a2023-12-22T14:11:33ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632023-11-01131235810.3390/geosciences13120358Natural H<sub>2</sub> Emissions in Colombian Ophiolites: First FindingsAlejandra Carrillo Ramirez0Felipe Gonzalez Penagos1German Rodriguez2Isabelle Moretti3Facultad de Minas, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín 050034, ColombiaAtlas Research Group, Bogota 77152, ColombiaAtlas Research Group, Bogota 77152, ColombiaUPPA-LFCR, Rue de l’Université, 64013 Pau, FranceThe exploration of natural H<sub>2</sub> or white hydrogen has started in various geological settings. Ophiolitic nappes are already recognized as one of the promising contexts. In South America, the only data available so far concerns the Archean iron-rich rocks of the Mina Gerais in Brazil or the subduction context of Bolivia. In Colombia, despite government efforts to promote white hydrogen, data remain limited. This article introduces the initial dataset obtained through soil gas sampling within the Cauca-Patia Valley and Western Cordillera, where the underlying geology comprises accreted oceanic lithosphere. In this valley, promising areas with H<sub>2</sub> potential were identified using remote sensing tools, in particular vegetation anomalies. The Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index (ARVI) appears to be well adapted for this context and the field data collection confirmed the presence of H<sub>2</sub> in the soil in all pre-selected structures. The valley undergoes extensive cultivation, mainly for sugar cane production. While H<sub>2</sub> emissions lead to alterations in vegetation, unlike reports from other countries, they do not result in its complete disappearance. Soil gas measurements along the thrusts bordering the Cauca Valley also show high H<sub>2</sub> content in the fault zones. In the valley, the presence of sedimentary cover above the ophiolites which are presumably the H<sub>2</sub> generating rocks, which addresses the possible presence of reservoirs and seals to define potential plays. Drawing parallels with the Malian case, it could be that the intrusive element could serve as seals.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/12/358Colombianatural H<sub>2</sub>Cauca-Patia Valleyophiolitesvegetation index
spellingShingle Alejandra Carrillo Ramirez
Felipe Gonzalez Penagos
German Rodriguez
Isabelle Moretti
Natural H<sub>2</sub> Emissions in Colombian Ophiolites: First Findings
Geosciences
Colombia
natural H<sub>2</sub>
Cauca-Patia Valley
ophiolites
vegetation index
title Natural H<sub>2</sub> Emissions in Colombian Ophiolites: First Findings
title_full Natural H<sub>2</sub> Emissions in Colombian Ophiolites: First Findings
title_fullStr Natural H<sub>2</sub> Emissions in Colombian Ophiolites: First Findings
title_full_unstemmed Natural H<sub>2</sub> Emissions in Colombian Ophiolites: First Findings
title_short Natural H<sub>2</sub> Emissions in Colombian Ophiolites: First Findings
title_sort natural h sub 2 sub emissions in colombian ophiolites first findings
topic Colombia
natural H<sub>2</sub>
Cauca-Patia Valley
ophiolites
vegetation index
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/12/358
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AT felipegonzalezpenagos naturalhsub2subemissionsincolombianophiolitesfirstfindings
AT germanrodriguez naturalhsub2subemissionsincolombianophiolitesfirstfindings
AT isabellemoretti naturalhsub2subemissionsincolombianophiolitesfirstfindings