Chemistry: helium: abundance and sources on Earth
Self-tutoring about chemistry: the tutor learns about helium and its sources on Earth.
Apparently helium is the second-most abundant element in the universe (while hydrogen is first). Where is helium found on Earth?
It turns out that most helium is commercially obtained from natural gas wells (believe it or not): in fact, natural gas can be up to 7% helium.
Why is helium found in natural gas? An idea is that, as uranium and thorium undergo α decay, helium results (see yesterday’s post). It may then get trapped underground like any other gas, so is found with natural gas.
Gas wells in the south-central US, as well as Wyoming, can be quite productive of helium.
Source:
Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.
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