Table of Contents:
- What is "Dark Oxygen"
- Oxygen Production in the Environment
- Discovery of "dark Oxygen"
- Application of “Dark Oxygen”
- The new area of environmental concerns
What is
"Dark Oxygen"?
"Dark
Oxygen" is the oxygen that is produced in the deep ocean.
Oxygen Production in Environment:
Traditionally, it was
believed that oxygen is produced naturally in the presence of sunlight through
the photosynthesis process by plants, plankton, algae, and bacteria.
Discovery of "dark Oxygen":
However, in recent
discovery, it has been found that Oxygen is being produced in the Pacific
Ocean, about 13100 feet below water.
This was discovered
by, Ocean Scientist, Andrew Sweetman.
Metallic nodules that
are present deep inside the ocean act like batteries, which generate electric
currents, that split ocean water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Application of “Dark Oxygen”
discovery:
Origin of life: Deep
ocean hydrothermal vents could be sources of origin of life on Earth.
It provides oxygen for
marine organisms in deep-sea environments.
Similar oxygen
production may be possible on the moon or other planets that could support
life.
The new area of
environmental concerns:
Deep ocean mining
which is happening for polymetallic nodules could disrupt oxygen production and
could harm marine life and deep-sea ecosystem.
Environment-friendly
mining practices are needed.
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