Scientists discover 'dark oxygen' from seafloor metallic nodules

space.com July 25, 2024, 08:50 PM UTC

Summary: Scientists have discovered "dark oxygen" produced by metallic nodules on the seafloor in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the North Pacific Ocean. This oxygen generation occurs without living organisms, challenging previous beliefs about Earth's oxygen origins. The study, published on July 22, reveals that these nodules, found 13,000 feet deep, may produce oxygen through seawater electrolysis, raising questions about the emergence of aerobic life on Earth.

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Timeline:

  1. [5.1]
    Polymetallic nodules may generate oxygen in deep sea (universetoday.com)
    47d 17h

  2. [3.5]
    Metal nodules may have initiated Earth's oxygen supply (mid-day.com)
    50d 16h
    Source
  3. [5.5]
    Polymetallic nodules may produce oxygen in deep sea (latimes.com)
    51d 8h

  4. [5.4]
    New deep-sea oxygen source raises mining impact concerns (The Hindu)
    51d 14h

  5. [3.8]
    Scientists discover 'dark oxygen' on deep-ocean floor (ThePrint)
    52d 0h
    Source
  6. [5.8]
    Scientists discover oxygen production without light in deep ocean (The Washington Post)
    54d 17h

  7. [5.5]
    Scientists discover oxygen source on ocean floor, challenging beliefs (ABC News)
    54d 18h

  8. [3.3]
    "Dark oxygen" discovery challenges life origin theories (New York Post )
    54d 23h
    Source
  9. [4.5]
    Scientists find 'dark oxygen' from seabed metals (MINING.com)
    55d 2h
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  10. [3.3]
    Metallic minerals in Pacific Ocean can produce oxygen (AzerNews.Az)
    55d 3h
    Source
  11. [4.4]
    Metallic nodules produce oxygen in deep sea darkness (CNBC)
    55d 6h
    Source
  12. [4.7]
    'Dark' oxygen discovered deep in Pacific Ocean challenges beliefs (Mint)
    55d 7h
    Source
  13. [5.8]
    Ocean floor metals create 'dark oxygen,' raising mining concerns (Financial Times)
    55d 20h

  14. [5.5]
    'Dark oxygen' discovery challenges origins of life theories (The Guardian)
    55d 23h

  15. [4.9]
    Electric rocks in ocean produce oxygen, challenging beliefs (Gizmodo)
    56d 3h
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