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> 
> Hydrogen is an element, too, and hydrogen can readily be produced by many 
> chemical means. The hydrogen atoms aren't produced, of course, they are 
> separated from compounds containing hydrogen.
> 
> The problem with helium is that it is inert and few naturally occurring 
> compounds exist that contain helium.

Correct on the hydrogen - it is liberated from bound compounds.  Helium
does not bind with anything at all - it is totally inert - there are no
compounds with bound helium (or any other of the "Noble Gases", for that
matter).

> 
> Where did the helium in the oil fields come from? Was it released in a 
> chemical reaction? Is it a byproduct of radioactive decay? Was it a fusion 
> byproduct from the sun trapped in the earth's crust during the formation of 
> the planet?

Ultimately, I suspect virtually all of earth's helium came from fusion of
hydrogen isotopes in the sun (or other stars). Until we can generate
controlled fusion reactions (perhaps as a future energy source), I doubt
we'll be able to make any more of the stuff here on earth.  I s'pose we
could get it from the moon, though....

Aloha,
Rich

deepreef@bi*.bi*.ha*.or*

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