- By Imran Zafar
- Wed, 24 Jul 2024 03:38 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Dark Oxygen: Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a phenomenon termed "dark oxygen" in the deep sea. A study published in the journal Nature Geoscience on Monday revealed that oxygen is being produced in complete darkness nearly 4,000 metres (13,100 feet) below the ocean surface. The study defies the conventional scientific understanding that oxygen production relies on photosynthesis. The finding has now opened a paradox box of questions for the scientific community, including how oxygen forms and even how the first living organism came into being on our blue planet.
What Is "Dark Oxygen"?
"Dark oxygen" refers to oxygen generated by metallic nodules found on the seafloor, rather than by photosynthetic processes. Previously, it was believed that the majority of Earth's oxygen was produced by marine plants performing photosynthesis, a process dependent on sunlight. However, this new research indicates that these natural metal formations can catalyse the splitting of seawater (H2O) into hydrogen and oxygen at depths where sunlight cannot reach, contributing to the ocean’s oxygen supply.
Dark Oxygen Research Findings
The discovery of dark oxygen is attributed to a team led by Dr Andrew Sweetman, a marine scientist at the Scottish Association for Marine Science. Their research documented elevated oxygen levels near polymetallic nodules, potato-sized metallic formations on the seabed. These nodules were found to split H2O molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, a process previously thought impossible at such depths.
"We have another source of oxygen on the planet, other than photosynthesis," co-author Andrew Sweetman stated. This mysterious phenomenon could have profound implications for our understanding of how life began on Earth.
Implications For Theories Of Earth's Origin
Traditionally, the belief has been that Earth's oxygen supply began with photosynthetic organisms. However, the presence of oxygen produced in the deep sea, devoid of light, challenges this theory.
Andrew Sweetman suggests revisiting fundamental questions about the origins of aerobic (an organism that can survive only in presence of oxygen) life: "For aerobic life to begin on the planet, there had to be oxygen and our understanding has been that Earth's oxygen supply began with photosynthetic organisms. But we now know that there is oxygen produced in the deep sea, where there is no light."
Impact On Marine Science And Future Research
This revelation has significant implications for marine science and our understanding of Earth's biosphere. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), around half of Earth's oxygen comes from the ocean, primarily produced by photosynthetic organisms such as plankton, algae and certain bacteria. The discovery of dark oxygen opens new avenues for research and raises questions about deep-sea ecosystems and their role in Earth's oxygen production.
