The Black Sea Environment
The Black Sea is a unique reservoir which features giant hydrogen sulfide (H2S) reserves in its bottom layers. Its footprint can be traced starting at depths of 200 meters. What is the environmental risk here? The fact is that H2S is an extremely toxic substance that can be deadly to humans, animals and plants in high concentrations. Therefore, the depths of the Black Sea are virtually uninhabited. Only certain types of anaerobic bacteria thrive there. Flora and fauna are only found in the Black Sea’s upper “clean” layers of water and in its shallows.
Where did so much hydrogen sulfide come from? According to one theory, the Black Sea was formed on the site of a freshwater lake. As a result of climate change and rising sea levels, salt water began to flow into the lake through straits. The flora and fauna living there died, and their decaying remains became the basis for forming a hydrogen sulfide layer.
There are also colonies of sulfate-reducing anaerobic bacteria living in the depths of the sea which emit hydrogen sulfide over the normal course of their life.
According to scientists, there are other natural hydrogen sulfide sources for the Black Sea like thermal waters, oil-bearing strata, etc.
Human activities which threaten the Black Sea environment should also be mentioned. Six industrialized countries have access to the sea. Large cities, industrial centers and ports are located along its coast. Intensive shipping occurs on the sea. The discharge of industrial, agricultural and other waste is often uncontrolled which detracts from the purity of the Black Sea water. In addition, several large rivers like the Dnieper and the Danube flow into the sea, carrying discharges from the cities and plants located upstream. Those discharges include waste that contributes to hydrogen sulfide formation.
These irresponsible actions result in massively high mortality for algae, fish and other living organisms. Their remains settle to the bottom where they decay and ultimately generate tons of hydrogen sulfide.
Thus, as a result of natural processes and catastrophic anthropogenic activities, the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the sea is continually increasing, which means that the layer of clean water suitable for life is shrinking.
But we know how to significantly reduce this problem, if not completely resolve. Depths Energy JSC has begun developing technology to produce hydrogen fuel from the hydrogen sulfide contained in the Black Sea waters. The technology is based on a unique nature-like reaction discovered by Russian scientists.
Thus, by processing hydrogen sulfide we will not only reduce its presence in the sea for the benefit of the environment, but also develop a clean future energy source from hydrogen.
Depths Energy JSC, an environmentally responsible company
Our company’s mission is based on environmental responsibility. It is unacceptable for us to do any harm to the environment.
That is why:
- We would like to provide the world hydrogen, an inexpensive environmentally friendly fuel. Hydrogen is considered the fuel of the future, since its combustion releases only distilled water, and no harmful substances. With this, we will encourage the rejection of fossil fuels and put a stop to air pollution.
- We intend to use Black Sea hydrogen sulfide as a raw material source for hydrogen production. In doing so, we will reduce its presence in the sea and prevent further contamination.
- We have based our technology on processes which are similar to natural ones, that do not harm the environment in producing hydrogen fuel. The reaction was recently discovered by Russian scientists (link to the technology section). The process proceeds at normal pressure and temperature, ultimately generating hydrogen and sulfur. There are no emissions into either the water or the atmosphere.
In addition, we will conduct scientific research in the Black Sea, controlling the environmental conditions. Thus, we take full environmental responsibility for our work.
Impact on climate change
In recent years, global warming has become increasingly prominent as an unsolvable problem for humankind. Melting glaciers, rising sea levels, prolonged droughts and devastating floods are processes that people cannot currently influence, despite the fact that human activities have been identified as the cause of climate change. The constantly increasing use of fuel leads to tremendous emissions of greenhouse gases causing the planet’s atmosphere to overheat.
The main problem is that there is virtually no alternative to the hydrocarbons used today as energy sources. The share of alternative energy – solar, wind, thermal, etc. – is extremely small, and it is not expected to become an adequate replacement for traditional fuel in the foreseeable future.
Depths Energy JSC plans to offer inexpensive and environmentally friendly hydrogen as an alternative energy source. The combustion of this gas produces plain water, and no harmful substances are emitted.
Hydrogen is currently considered to be a promising fuel for the future, but since this gas is scarce in its pure form in nature, producing it is still an issue. All currently known methods are energy-intensive, expensive or environmentally unsafe. Our company is developing technologies based on the natural decomposition of hydrogen sulfide. The process takes place at ambient temperature and pressure, producing hydrogen and sulfur as the final products.
Due to low energy costs, hydrogen obtained through this process can become a real alternative to traditional hydrocarbons and will make it possible to significantly reduce the future impact of the greenhouse effect on our planet.