Molecular hydrogen (H₂) is gaining global attention as a key component of the transition to sustainable energy systems, with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. However, the biogeochemical cycle of H₂ and its impacts on atmospheric chemistry and climate present critical knowledge gaps. While hydrogen itself is not a greenhouse gas, its chemical oxidation can influence methane, ozone, and stratospheric water vapor, with potential effects on the Earth’s radiative balance.
This session aims at advancing our understanding of the hydrogen budget and the implications of increased hydrogen use. Topics of interest include:
- Quantifying hydrogen emissions from direct sources, including leakages, venting, and incomplete combustion, as well as oxidation by volatile organic compounds.
- Investigating the removal of hydrogen by soil bacteria and by reaction with OH in the atmosphere.
- Assessing the indirect climate effects of hydrogen emissions on methane, ozone, and stratospheric water vapor.
- Utilizing observations and modeling to refine estimates of hydrogen sources and sinks across various spatial and temporal scales.
- Exploring scenarios of future hydrogen economies, including their potential to reduce fossil fuel emissions and the associated environmental and climatic co-benefits.
We welcome studies that employ experimental, observational, and theoretical approaches to hydrogen biogeochemistry and atmospheric processes, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of H₂ in the context of the global energy transition.