Scientists Discover 'Dark Oxygen' Production 13,000 Feet Deep in Pacific Ocean

Jul 22, 2024, 07:01 PM

Scientists from Northwestern University have discovered that metallic minerals on the deep ocean floor can produce oxygen without sunlight, a finding that challenges long-held beliefs about oxygen production. These minerals, found at depths of over 13,000 feet in the Pacific Ocean, act like weak batteries, generating enough voltage to split seawater into hydrogen and oxygen through a process called seawater electrolysis. The discovery, termed 'dark oxygen,' suggests that oxygen can be produced in the absence of photosynthesizing organisms. This unexpected phenomenon has prompted researchers to reconsider the origins of aerobic life and the implications for deep-sea mining practices. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, highlights the significant role these metallic nodules could play in deep-sea ecosystems.