The ocean remains one of the **most mysterious ecosystems** on the planet, and the discoveries made there never cease to amaze. A fascinating phenomenon lurks in its depths: “**dark oxygen**”.
A new study reveals an alternative method of generating **oxygen on the seabed**, known as such.
Contrary to what was previously known, that plants and algae produce oxygen in the ocean through photosynthesis, this substance is formed through **interaction with polymetallic nodules** on the seabed.
This finding is surprising and also raises **urgent environmental issues**, related to **submarine mining**. These nodules are among the most coveted resources by companies dedicated to submarine mining.
### Dark Oxygen: What It Is and Why the Ocean Should Be Protected
**Dark oxygen** refers to the oxygen produced at the ocean floor during the night through a process called **chemosynthesis**. This mechanism is different, as the metallic concretions containing manganese, **cobalt, lithium**, and other elements react with seawater.
The nodules act as small batteries that generate electric currents, allowing the separation of water into hydrogen and oxygen.
The recent identification of **dark oxygen**, thanks to the team led by **Andrew Sweetman**, raises new questions about this oxygen’s ability to sustain life in these ocean areas.
### What are Polymetallic Nodules
Polymetallic nodules have sparked great interest in the mining industry and are abundant in the **Clarion-Clipperton Zone**, near **Hawaii** and **Mexico**.
These nodules contain high levels of strategic metals essential for current technology, such as electric car batteries and mobile devices.
However, extracting these resources **poses serious risks**. Mining will disrupt the seabed, damaging the nodules and ending the production of dark oxygen, which is crucial for many marine species.
Moreover, sediment plumes and the noise from extraction machinery have negative effects on the marine environment, even in areas far from mining zones.
The existence of **dark oxygen** demands a reconsideration of the consequences of **extracting resources from the** **seafloor**. Exploiting these nodules could harm a newly discovered key ecosystem function, with potential implications for species diversity and the availability of **oxygen** in these environments.
Therefore, it is necessary to move towards an approach that integrates science and technology into the development of appropriate policies, along with recycling technologies, to prevent the degradation of the deep-sea ecosystem.
Although **dark oxygen** remains a mystery, it is essential for the health of the oceans.
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