Dark Oxygen: A Surprising Discovery in the Pacific Ocean Depths

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have found oxygen being produced deep in the Pacific Ocean by polymetallic nodules rather than by living organisms. This revelation challenges the long-held belief that only plants and algae can produce oxygen through photosynthesis, which requires sunlight.

The Discovery

Located four kilometers below the ocean's surface in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) between Hawaii and Mexico, these potato-shaped metallic lumps, known as polymetallic nodules, were found to generate oxygen in complete darkness. The nodules, rich in metals like cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese, are often referred to as "batteries in a rock" due to their high electric charge.

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How It Happened

Andrew Sweetman of the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) led an international team to measure the rate of oxygen consumption by the seafloor. Using a benthic chamber to collect sediment, the researchers expected to see oxygen levels decrease as it was consumed by organisms. Instead, they observed an increase in oxygen levels, indicating oxygen production in the absence of light.

The Role of Electric Charge

Further tests revealed that the nodules carried an electric charge comparable to an AA battery, which facilitated seawater electrolysis, splitting seawater into hydrogen and oxygen. This process occurs at approximately 1.5 volts, the same charge as an AA battery.

Implications for the Origin of Life

This discovery could reshape our understanding of how complex life evolved on Earth. Traditionally, it is believed that oxygen production began around 3 billion years ago with cyanobacteria, leading to the gradual development of complex life. However, the existence of "dark oxygen" production suggests that life might have originated in the ocean depths, independent of sunlight.

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Nicholas Owens, director of SAMS, emphasized the significance of this finding, stating that it could also imply potential oxygenated habitats on other ocean worlds like Enceladus and Europa, thereby increasing the possibility of life beyond Earth.

Future Exploration and Mining

The study, published in Nature Geoscience, was partially funded by The Metals Company, a Canadian firm planning to mine these nodules in the CCZ. This discovery not only opens new avenues for understanding life’s origins but also raises questions about the impact of deep-sea mining on these unique ecosystems.

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Conclusion

The production of oxygen by polymetallic nodules in the Pacific Ocean's depths is a revolutionary finding that challenges existing theories about the origins of life on Earth and potentially other planets. This discovery highlights the complexity and mystery of our planet's oceans and the need for further exploration and study.

News Source:- theguardian.com