‘Dark oxygen’ discovery – deep sea mining needs a rethink
Scientists have discovered that oxygen is produced in the deep sea by polymetallic nodules, a finding that could change how we view deep-sea mining and the origins of life on Earth. Oxygen in the ocean mainly comes from photosynthesis, but these nodules create oxygen through electrolysis, acting like batteries. The Clarion-Clipperton zone in the North Pacific is especially important for this research as it has dense clusters of these nodules. Understanding how much “dark oxygen” is produced is vital before further deep-sea mining can be safely conducted.
