A new continental hydrogen play in Damara Belt (Namibia).

Serpentinization is commonly presented as the main source of natural hydrogen (H) in the continental domains. However, recent works in Australia and Brazil showed that Archean-Paleoproterozoic banded iron formations could be another natural source of H gas. Although the reaction that produces hydrogen is similar (Fe oxidation-HO reduction process), the iron content may be higher in banded iron formations than in mafic igneous lithologies, potentially generating H more efficiently. Here, we present structural evidence that reported H emissions from Waterberg Basin, Namibia are associated with underlying Neoproterozoic banded iron formations-the Chuos Formation. Magnetite, a known H-generating mineral, is ubiquitous and accompanied by other suspected H-generating minerals (biotite and siderite) in Chuos Formation. Magnetite occurs either as pervasive cm to dm continuous metamorphic laminations in foliation and fractures planes and/or diffusely disseminated in metachert and metacarbonate levels. From this, we infer that metamorphism does not negatively affect the Fe content that is required to generate hydrogen. H seepages in Waterberg Basin suggest that an active H-generating system may exist at depth and that the presence of potential traps and reservoirs is likely based on field observations.