Scientists find ‘dark oxygen’ deep in the Pacific Ocean.
Scientists discovered ‘dark oxygen’ 13,100-feet deep in the Pacific Ocean. This “dark oxygen” is not a new type of oxygen, but rather oxygen produced in the deep sea without sunlight, challenging the long-held scientific belief that oxygen is only generated through photosynthesis
In a groundbreaking revelation, scientists have unearthed a new source of oxygen in the depths of the ocean, dubbed as “dark oxygen”.
This dark oxygen, as a study suggests, is generated by metallic nodules present on the seafloor. Previously, it was believed that most of the oxygen we rely on came from marine plants performing photosynthesis, a process which is dependent on sunlight.
Read Also: Magnetotactic bacteria spotted in rock varnish layers in Ladakh
However, at depths exceeding 5km where sunlight cannot reach, these natural metal formations appear to catalyze the splitting of seawater (H2O) into hydrogen and oxygen, thus contributing significantly to the ocean’s oxygen supply. This baffling discovery challenges existing paradigms about oxygen production in Earth’s most inaccessible marine environments.
What is the Dark oxygen?
- According to the study, it is generated by metallic nodules present on the seafloor.
- These natural metal formations appear to catalyze the splitting of seawater (H2O) into hydrogen and oxygen.
- Previously, it was believed that most of the oxygen came from marine plants performing photosynthesis, a process which is dependent on sunlight.
- Discovery challenges existing paradigms about oxygen production in Earth’s most inaccessible marine environments.
Read Also: Recently, Why do’s Train derail in India?
Who found “dark oxygen” in depths of ocean floor?
The discovery of dark oxygen is credited to a team led by Dr. Andrew Sweetman, a marine scientist at the Scottish Association for Marine Science.
Their research, published in Nature Geoscience, documented the presence of elevated oxygen levels near polymetallic nodules – potato-sized metallic formations found on the seabed.
Significance of discovery of dark oxygen
Challenges fundamental scientific understanding: It was previously thought that oxygen production was solely dependent on photosynthesis, which requires sunlight. The discovery of “dark oxygen” demonstrates a second, previously unknown mechanism for oxygen generation in the deep ocean, independent of sunlight. This expands our understanding of oxygen production on Earth.
Raises questions about the origin of life: The finding suggests that oxygen, a crucial element for aerobic life, could have been available in dark environments even before the evolution of photosynthesis. This implies that life forms that breathe oxygen could have originated in such environments and potentially on other planets lacking sunlight.
Opens new avenues for research: The discovery prompts further research into the prevalence of “dark oxygen” production in other deep-sea areas, its role in deep-sea ecosystems, and its broader implications for the possibility of life in other dark environments, including on other planets.
In essence, the discovery of “dark oxygen” is a groundbreaking scientific finding because it fundamentally alters our understanding of oxygen production, has implications for the origins of life, and raises important environmental concerns about deep-sea mining. It signifies a major shift in our knowledge of Earth’s processes and potentially life beyond our planet
This discovery has major implications. It suggests that there might be unknown processes generating oxygen in the deep sea, independent of sunlight.
This could rewrite our understanding of the global oxygen cycle and potentially offer insights into the origin of life on Earth, where early life forms might have thrived in similar oxygen-depleted environments.
Three Parent Baby: Mitochondrial Donation Treatment