Exploration and analysis of a blind hydrogen system in western California, USA

This work presents a comprehensive exploration and analysis of a “blind hydrogen system” in Western California. Previous discoveries of natural hydrogen accumulations in various global locations suggest that hydrogen can form in geological settings, often indicated by surface features like "fairy circles". This study pioneers the concept of exploring for "blind hydrogen systems" - areas where geological configurations conducive to hydrogen formation exist, but without surface indications like fairy circles. The hypothesis is that certain geological settings conducive to hydrogen formation exist beyond areas marked by fairy circles. The research involves the assessment of several geological settings, including the presence of ultramafic rocks, aquifers, faults, and serpentinized rocks, to identify potential hydrogen systems. Field studies were conducted in Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve and Portola Valley, California, utilizing soil gas sampling to detect hydrogen presence. Laboratory analyses included measurements of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and other associated gasses. Results indicated hydrogen concentrations up to 20.32 ppmv in Jasper Ridge and 17.32 ppmv in Portola Valley, with significant seasonal and diurnal variations observed. The study also noted
anomalous concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane, suggesting possible abiotic origins. This work contributes to the understanding of natural hydrogen occurrence and proposes a methodical exploration approach for identifying 'blind hydrogen systems'. It demonstrates the potential for discovering natural hydrogen resources in areas without apparent surficial indicators and underscores the importance of developing systematic methodologies for their identification and exploration.