Oxygen is being produced over 13,000 feet underwater without photosynthesis, but how?
USA TODAY
“Dark oxygen” is being produced deep in the ocean, and scientists are baffled by the strange phenomenon, according to a new study.
In science class, kids learn that plants need sunlight to do photosynthesis and create the oxygen we breathe. But, oxygen is being produced on the abyssal seafloor, which is so deep that sunlight cannot reach it, according to a study published on Monday in the journal Nature Geoscience.
Not only is oxygen being produced, but plants aren’t creating it.
Instead of green, photosynthesizing plants, the oxygen is created by metallic “nodules” that look like lumps of coal. But, instead of heating a grill, they’re splitting H2O (water) molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
New study:Prehistoric crystals offer clues on when freshwater first emerged on Earth, study shows
Faulty readings
The phenomenon was first observed in 2013, when the lead scientist of the study, Andrew Sweetman, a professor at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, was studying the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, an area in the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii. He believed his equipment was faulty when it showed that oxygen was being made on the dark sea floor, reports CNN.
“I basically told my students, just put the sensors back in the box,” Sweetman, who also leads the institution’s seafloor ecology and biogeochemistry group, told CNN. “We’ll ship them back to the manufacturer and get them tested because they’re just giving us gibberish. And every single time the manufacturer came back: ‘They’re working. They’re calibrated.’”
Sweetwater ignored the readings because he’d only been taught that you can only get oxygen from photosynthesis, according to the BBC.
“Eventually, I realized that for years I’d been ignoring this potentially huge discovery,” Sweetman told BBC News.
Behold, Kermitops: Fossil named after Kermit the Frog holds clues to amphibian evolutionDinosaur extinction: New study suggests they were killed off by more than an asteroidMexican gray wolf at California zoo is recovering after leg amputation: ‘Huge success story’Team led by Oxford biologist discovers long-lost mammal: See video of long-beaked echidnaCould scientists resurrect the extinct Tasmanian tiger? New breakthrough raises hopes
What produces the ocean’s oxygen?
Around half of the Earth’s oxygen comes from the ocean, states the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA.
Scientists attributed the production to the following:
- Oceanic plankton
- Drifting plants
- Algae
- Some bacteria
All the organisms listed are capable of photosynthesis, thus creating oxygen. But they wouldn’t be able to do that so deep underwater.
Mining companies want to collect oxygen-producing modules
The modules, which form over millions of years, are made of ingredients needed to create batteries: lithium, cobalt and copper, according to the BBC. And mining companies are interested in collecting them.
However, Sweetman’s new study raises concerns about the risks involved in collecting these deep-sea minerals.
Double Cash Bonus OfferEarn $200 cash back after qualifying purchasesCiti|
AdLearn more
7 Signs Telling That Parasites Might Be Living In Your BodyCleanse24|
They’re Feeling Walking On Clouds – Now 70% Off!Orthowalkway|
Bone On Bone? This ”bionic” Knee Sleeve Will Transform Your Knees Back 17 YearsFitnus Sleeve|
AdLearn more
When Neuropathy Hits, Try This (It’s Genius!)WellnessGuide|
AdLearn more
Forget Furosemide, Use This Household Item To Help Drain Edema FluidWellnessGuide|
AdLearn more
New Neuroраthу Shoe Leaves Experts Speechless (It’s Genius)Barestep Shoes|
AdRead More
Best way to upgrade your Roofing at a very affordable Cost, especially for Seniors!Smart Roofing | Search Ads|
AdLearn More
Heart Surgeon Begs Americans Over 50: “Stop Eating This for Breakfast”Gundry.MD|
AdLearn more
They’re Like Walking On Clouds – Now 70% Off!Orthoture|
AdShop Now
Deal of the Day
Get 25% Off Celeb-Loved Athleta Leggings (And Everything Else) At This SaleREVIEWED|
Last chance: Mirage Casino to pay out $1.6 million in prizes before closing
Recommendations are independently chosen by our editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Recommended
Mortgage rates are trending higher in 2024BLUEPRINT
Nvidia’s Quiet $1 Trillion PivotWeiss Ratings|
AdLearn More
Three New York Banks Are Paying Record High Interest Rates – See the ListSavingsPro|
More Stories
Mega Millions winning numbers for July 16: $251 million jackpotMONEY
Powerball winning numbers: July 20 jackpot climbs to $102 millionMONEY
Powerball winning numbers: Monday’s jackpot now at $138 millionMONEY
Taylor Swift’s team goes live in Munich, fans hopeful of announcementENTERTAINMENT
7 Wealth Tips Once Your Portfolio Reaches $1 MillionFisher Investments|
AdLearn More
Empty Cruises Departing From New York That Seniors Can Book For CheapGoSearches|
Game shows what the world without US military interventions would look likeHistory Strategy Game|
AdPlay Now
The Cost Of Dental Implants For Seniors in 2024 (See Pricing)Best Searches|
More Stories
Powerball winning numbers: July 13 jackpot climbs to $64 millionMONEY
Powerball winning numbers for July 8 drawing: Jackpot at $29 millionMONEY
National Lottery Day: See who has won the biggest jackpots in the USMONEY
This is the breakup email Kari Lake doesn’t want to readOPINION
Howdy! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
My weblog looks wird when iewing from my apple iphone.
I’m trying to find a theme oor plugin that might be able to fix this problem.
If you have any suggestions, please share. Thanks! https://Lvivforum.pp.ua