Discovery of 'Dark Oxygen' in Deep Ocean

Scientists have discovered a surprising phenomenon called 'dark oxygen' in the deep ocean, challenging long-held beliefs about oxygen production. Metallic nodules, found 13,000 feet below the surface, produce oxygen through seawater electrolysis, a process that splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen without sunlight. This discovery, led by Professor Andrew Sweetman of the Scottish Association for Marine Science, was initially thought to be a sensor error but was confirmed through repeated testing. The findings suggest that oxygen production is not exclusive to photosynthetic organisms and could necessitate a reevaluation of theories regarding the origins of aerobic life on Earth. Published in Nature Geoscience, this study could have significant implications for understanding life on Earth and potentially elsewhere.