Oxygen discovery defies knowledge of the deep ocean

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Scientists have discovered "dark oxygen" being produced in the deep ocean by metallic nodules on the seafloor, challenging the belief that oxygen can only be produced through photosynthesis.

Scientists have discovered "dark oxygen" being produced in the deep ocean by metallic nodules on the seafloor, challenging the belief that oxygen can only be produced through photosynthesis.

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The metallic nodules, containing valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, and copper, are sought after by mining companies. However, they also produce oxygen by splitting seawater into hydrogen and oxygen.

The metallic nodules, containing valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, and copper, are sought after by mining companies. However, they also produce oxygen by splitting seawater into hydrogen and oxygen.

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There’s already overwhelming evidence that strip mining deep-sea nodule fields will destroy ecosystems we barely understand.

There’s already overwhelming evidence that strip mining deep-sea nodule fields will destroy ecosystems we barely understand.

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We need to explore it in greater detail and use this information if we are going to go into the deep ocean and mine it in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

We need to explore it in greater detail and use this information if we are going to go into the deep ocean and mine it in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

Scientists have discovered “dark oxygen” being produced in the deep ocean, apparently by lumps of metal on the seafloor. At depths of 5km, where no sunlight can penetrate, the oxygen appears to be produced by naturally occurring metallic “nodules” which split seawater - H2O - into hydrogen and oxygen.