Scientists find ‘dark oxygen’ deep in the Pacific Ocean.
Scientists discovered ‘dark oxygen’ 13,100-feet deep in the Pacific Ocean.
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.
How significant is the discovery of dark oxygen?
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.