Researchers Uncover 'Dark Oxygen' Production on Ocean Floor

Category : Science and Tech Published on: July 27 2024

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Recent research published in Nature Geoscience has revealed the production of a novel form of oxygen, termed “dark oxygen,” on the deep-ocean floor, challenging traditional views that oxygen is primarily generated by photosynthetic organisms.
The discovery was made in the Clarion–Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean, where oxygen levels below 4,000 meters were found to be steadily rising, contradicting initial assumptions about sensor malfunctions.
The study identified that 'dark oxygen' is produced in polymetallic nodules, which are mineral layers rich in metals like cobalt, nickel, and lithium, highlighting their potential importance for both mining and supporting aerobic sea life.