Relationship between clay minerals and microorganisms in underground hydrogen storage reservoirs: a mini review

Clark, Allison; Sharma, Shikha

doi:10.3389/fenrg.2025.1515463

Relationship between clay minerals and microorganisms in underground hydrogen storage reservoirs: a mini review

Journal Article · Fri Feb 07 00:00:00 EST 2025 · Frontiers in Energy Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2025.1515463· OSTI ID:2513522

Clark, Allison; Sharma, Shikha

Hydrogen (H ₂ ) will play a vital role in the global shift towards sustainable energy systems. Due to the high cost and challenges associated with storing hydrogen in large quantities for industrial applications, Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) in geological formations has emerged as a promising solution. Clay minerals, abundant in subsurface environments, play a critical role in UHS by providing low permeability, cation exchange capacity, and stability, essential for preventing hydrogen leakage. However, microorganisms in the subsurface, particularly hydrogenotrophic species, interact with clay minerals in ways that can affect the integrity of these storage systems. Microbes form biofilms on clay surfaces, which can cause pore clogging and reduce the permeability of the reservoir, potentially stabilizing H ₂ storage and limiting injectivity. Microbial-induced chemical weathering, through the production of organic acids and redox reactions, can degrade clay minerals, releasing metal ions and destabilizing the storage site. These interactions raise concerns about the long-term storage capacity of UHS, as microbial processes could lead to H ₂ loss and caprock degradation, compromising the storage system’s effectiveness. This mini review aims to cover the current understanding of the interactions between clay minerals and microorganisms and how these dynamics can affect the safe and sustainable deployment of UHS .

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 2513522

Journal Information:: Frontiers in Energy Research, Journal Name: Frontiers in Energy Research Vol. 13; ISSN 2296-598X

Publisher:: Frontiers Media SACopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Switzerland

Language:: English

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