A natural hydrogen seep in Western Australia: Observed characteristics and controls
Krista Davies, E.A. Frery, Ausama Giwelli, Lionel Esteban, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer
Abstract
Natural hydrogen (H 2 ) is a promising resource for the energy industry’s transition to zero-carbon fuels. However, its extent and feasibility for exploitation remain unclear. A key step towards discovering subsurface dihydrogen accumulations is detecting H 2 seeps. This study presents the first autonomous, multi-gas monitoring of a natural hydrogen seep in Australia, where dihydrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide were measured together. The research revealed significant H 2 seepage on the Yilgarn Craton in Western Australia, with seasonal fluctuations: high emissions after dry summers and reduced emissions following rainfall due to increased groundwater levels. Groundwater appears to act as a seasonal inhibitor to H 2 seepage through the near subsurface potentially leading to false negatives in soil gas surveys post-rainfall and in low-lying areas. This work provides fundamental data for natural hydrogen exploration and therefore aids in the implementation of a large-scale hydrogen economy.