Dark oxygen
Dark oxygen is molecular oxygen (O2) found in the depths of oceans, so deep that light cannot penetrate, thereby removing the possibility of being generated by photosynthesis.[1][2]
Dark oxygen is produced by metal nodules in deep ocean areas below 13,000 feet (4,000 m) by electrolysis, the process of separating water into oxygen and hydrogen with an electrical current.[3]
Andrew Sweetman, a professor at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, was studying the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, an area between Hawaii and Mexico, when his team made the discovery announced in 2024.[4]
The discovery challenges the longstanding theory that all molecular oxygen was originally generated by photosynthesis.[3] The study was published in the journal Nature Geoscience.[1]
Discovery
Chemical process
The hypothetical process described to make dark oxygen is known as seawater electrolysis. In this chemical process an electrical potential difference of just 1.5 V is enough to begin separating the hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis. The highest voltage observed during the expedition was 0.95 V; but the working hypothesis is that the seawater and rare metals in the deep ocean depths act as a chemical battery.[3][5] The Nature Geoscience study does not address why the "battery" does not become consumed or thermodynamic concerns such as the identity of energy source(s) required for on-going endless electrolysis.
Implications
The implication of the production of dark oxygen through electrolysis challenges all of the current theories and models of the development of biological life on Earth. Until now, every such theory assumes all oxygen has been produced through photosynthesis by plants and algae.[1][6]
References
- ^ a b c "Dark oxygen made by deep sea 'batteries'". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ Gomez, Julia. "Scientists discover lumps of metal producing 'dark oxygen' on ocean floor, new study shows". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b c Hunt, Katie (2024-07-22). "Scientists discover 'dark' oxygen being produced more than 13,000 feet below the ocean surface". CNN. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ Timsit, Annabelle (2024-07-23). "Scientists find 'dark oxygen' being produced from metals on the seafloor". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ Parshall, Allison. "Bizarre Mineral Clumps Make 'Dark Oxygen' on Deep Seafloor". Scientific American. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ Sascha Pare (2024-07-22). "Discovery of 'dark oxygen' from deep-sea metal lumps could trigger rethink of origins of life". livescience.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
