Scientists Discover Oxygen Production in Deep Ocean Without Sunlight

Metallic nodules on the seafloor generate oxygen through electrolysis, challenging long-held beliefs about the origins of life on Earth.

Researchers found metallic nodules producing oxygen at depths of 4,000 meters in the Pacific Ocean.
The process, termed 'dark oxygen,' occurs without photosynthesis, relying on natural electrolysis.
This discovery could force a reevaluation of how aerobic life began on Earth.
Deep-sea mining plans raise concerns about disrupting these oxygen-producing nodules.
The findings highlight the need for more research on deep-sea ecosystems and their unique processes.