Deep-Ocean Minerals Produce 'Dark Oxygen,' Redefining Earth's Origins
Scientists from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) have discovered that oxygen is being produced more than 13,000 feet below the ocean surface by metallic nodules, a phenomenon that challenges long-held assumptions about oxygen production. Initially observed in 2013, the discovery led researchers to question the reliability of their monitoring equipment. Subsequent studies confirmed that these polymetallic nodules, containing elements like cobalt, nickel, copper, lithium, and manganese, can generate oxygen in complete darkness without the involvement of photosynthetic organisms.
This finding has significant implications for our understanding of Earth's oxygen production and the origins of life, suggesting an alternative oxygen source that could predate photosynthetic life. The research, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, also raises concerns about deep-sea mining. Critics argue that extracting these metal-rich nodules could damage pristine underwater environments and disrupt carbon storage in the ocean, potentially exacerbating the climate crisis. The study underscores the need for sustainable practices in exploiting ocean floor resources to protect these newly discovered oxygen sources.
