Deep Ocean & "Dark Oxygen"

The oceans are the "Lungs of the Earth" as Oceans and Oxygen share a deeply interconnected relationship. The ocean produces roughly half of the world's oxygen through marine phytoplanktons. A recent discovery has revealed a much deeper connection of "Deep Ocean" in production of "Dark Oxygen". This write up "Deep Ocean & "Dark Oxygen" is about the recent scientific discovery about production of Oxygen in deep sea.

أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of ALLAH, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Deep Ocean & "Dark Oxygen"

The only known liveable planet for us-humans called Earth is 72% Oceans and Oceans are Earth's largest active carbon sink, pulling billions of tons of CO₂ out of the atmosphere. Furthermore, marine phytoplanktons produce over half of the world's oxygen through photosynthesis. Ocean evaporation forms the foundation of the global water cycle. It dictates weather patterns, wind systems, and provides the moisture necessary for rainfall and freshwater systems on land. Massive global conveyor belts, such as the Gulf Stream, transport warm water from the equator toward the poles and circulate cold water back; thus regulate global temperature.

The oceans may also be the "Lungs of the Earth" as Oceans and Oxygen share a deeply interconnected relationship. The ocean produces roughly half of the world's oxygen supply as the ocean's overall oxygen levels heavily dictate the health of global ecosystems. A recent discovery has revealed a much deeper connection of "Deep Ocean" in production of "Dark Oxygen".

"Dark oxygen" refers to oxygen produced in the deep sea without sunlight or photosynthesis. Discovered at depths of 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) on the ocean floor, this oxygen is generated by naturally occurring, potato-sized metallic "polymetallic nodules" that act like natural batteries, splitting seawater into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis.This discovery is a major scientific breakthrough because it challenges the long-held consensus that molecular oxygen can only be produced through photosynthesis, which requires sunlight.

This has been reported on X.com by Next Science @NextScience 🌑 The Deep Ocean Just Broke a Scientific Rule. Four (4) km beneath the Pacific Ocean, where sunlight has never reached, and scientists discovered something unbelievable—oxygen being produced in total darkness. Researcher Andrew Sweetman first thought his equipment was faulty, but repeated tests showed the same result. Scientists believe deep-sea metal-rich rocks may act like tiny natural batteries, splitting seawater to create oxygen. They call it "dark oxygen."

The discovery is still being debated, but if confirmed, it could change what we know about Earth's oxygen—and even reshape the future of deep-sea mining.

Here are a few key details about the phenomenon:-

How it works: These deep-sea nodules, rich in metals like manganese, iron, and cobalt, can generate an electric charge. When clustered together on the ocean floor, they produce enough voltage (up to 0.95 volts) to trigger seawater electrolysis.

Where it was found: The phenomenon was documented in the Pacific Ocean's Clarion-Clipperton Zone, an abyssal plain spanning between Mexico and Hawaii.

Environmental implications: Several deep-sea mining companies plan to harvest these metallic nodules for use in green energy tech (like EV batteries). Marine biologists worry this could disrupt the "dark oxygen" production and harm deep-sea ecosystems that rely on it.

Broader impact: The discovery of an abiotic (non-biological) oxygen source is reshaping theories about how life originated on Earth and how oxygen-rich environments might be sustained on other planets.

The Scottish Association for Marine Science: Prof Andrew Sweetman

“I first saw this in 2013 - an enormous amount of oxygen being produced at the seafloor in complete darkness,” explains lead researcher Prof Andrew Sweetman from the Scottish Association for Marine Science. “I just ignored it, because I’d been taught - you only get oxygen through photosynthesis. “Eventually, I realised that for years I’d been ignoring this potentially huge discovery,” he told BBC News.

He and his colleagues carried out their research in an area of the deep sea between Hawaii and Mexico - part of a vast swathe of seafloor that is covered with these metal nodules. The nodules form when dissolved metals in seawater collect on fragments of shell - or other debris. It's a process that takes millions of years. And because these nodules contain metals like lithium, cobalt and copper - all of which are needed to make batteries - many mining companies are developing technology to collect them and bring them to the surface.

But Prof Sweetman says the dark oxygen they make could also support life on the seafloor. And his discovery, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, raises new concerns about the risks of proposed deep-sea mining ventures. The scientists worked out that the metal nodules are able to make oxygen precisely because they act like batteries.

“If you put a battery into seawater, it starts fizzing,” explained Prof Sweetman. “That’s because the electric current is actually splitting seawater into oxygen and hydrogen [which are the bubbles]. We think that’s happening with these nodules in their natural state. It's like a battery in a torch,” he added. “You put one battery in, it doesn't light up. You put two in and you've got enough voltage to light up the torch. So when the nodules are sitting at the seafloor in contact with one another, they’re working in unison - like multiple batteries.”

NOTE: Please read here about this discovery as presented in a research paper:-

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01480-8

The researchers put this theory to the test in the lab, collecting and studying the potato-sized metal nodules. Their experiments measured the voltages on the surface of each metallic lump - essentially the strength of the electric current. They found it to be almost equal to the voltage in a typical AA-sized battery. This means, they say, that the nodules sitting on the seabed could generate electric currents large enough to split, or electrolyse, molecules of seawater.

The researchers think the same process - battery-powered oxygen production that requires no light and no biological process - could be happening on other moons and planets, creating oxygen-rich environments where life could thrive. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has warned that this seabed mining could “result in the destruction of life and the seabed habitat in the mined areas”.

The Conclusion

That is absolutely true that we know very less about our oceans. It is frequently cited that more than 80% of the global ocean remains completely unmapped and unexplored. In fact, experts estimate that roughly 90% of all marine species are still undiscovered by science. New species are being discovered in the deep ocean all the time - it is often said that we know more about the surface of the Moon than we do about the deep sea. And this discovery of "Dark Oxygen" suggests that the nodules themselves could be providing the oxygen to support life there.

ALLAH, the ultimate Creator and Sustainer; states in Quran Surah Al-Anbiya 21:30:

"We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?"

Surah An-Nur (Chapter 24), Verse 45 of the Qur'an highlights the magnificent diversity of life and ALLAH's creative power: "ALLAH has created every living creature from water. And of them are those that move on their bellies, and of them are those that walk on two legs, and of them are those that walk on four. ALLAH creates what He wills. Indeed, ALLAH is over all things competent."

And In Surah Al-Rahman, ALLAH asks a question (Fabi-ayyi ala-i rabbikuma tukaththibani.. "So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?") 31 times. It is a powerful, recurring reminder to both Human Beings and Jinns to reflect upon His countless blessings, mercy, and creation, and to show profound gratitude; and this recently discovered relationship about "Oceans" and "Dark Oxygen" is a powerful rejoinder of ALLAH's blessings.