Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of oxygen production without sunlight, challenging the conventional understanding of how life can thrive. Researcher Andrew Sweetman and his team found that metallic rocks on the Pacific Ocean’s seabed were producing oxygen through an electrochemical reaction.
The phenomenon, known as “dark” oxygen production, has sparked a three-year research project to understand its mechanisms and implications. The discovery was initially reported in July, with the team using custom-made rigs equipped with sensors to study the process at depths of up to 11,000 meters.
While initial findings suggested that the oxygen production was linked to metal nodules rich in metals, further investigation revealed that other factors might be at play. Microbiologist Emil Ruff discovered oxygen-producing microbes in freshwater samples from Alberta, Canada, which contradicts the idea that oxygen can only be produced through sunlight or chemical reactions.
Ruff’s findings indicate that certain microorganisms have evolved to produce oxygen in the absence of light, a process known as dismutation. The team believes that this phenomenon might be more widespread than initially thought and could provide insights into the origins of life on Earth.
NASA is also interested in the research, as it could inform their understanding of how life might thrive on other planets without direct sunlight. Scientists are currently investigating the potential for oxygen production on Enceladus and Europa, two icy moons of Saturn and Jupiter, respectively.
However, not everyone shares the excitement about this discovery. Critics argue that deep-sea mining companies aiming to exploit resources from these nodules could disrupt the ocean’s ecosystem and contribute to climate change. Researchers are urging caution until more is understood about the phenomenon and its potential impacts on the environment.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/hunt-dark-oxygen-why-might-000505179.html