Scientists Launch New Expedition to Investigate Controversial 'Dark Oxygen' Discovery

The study, which suggests deep-sea nodules produce oxygen without sunlight, faces scrutiny as researchers aim to confirm findings and explore implications for life on Earth and beyond.

• Researchers discovered that polymetallic nodules on the Pacific Ocean floor may produce oxygen electrochemically without sunlight, challenging long-held beliefs about oxygen production and early life on Earth.
• The findings, published in 2024, sparked controversy, with critics, including deep-sea mining companies, questioning the study's methods and data, while a formal rebuttal is under peer review.
• A new three-year project, funded by Japan's Nippon Foundation, will use advanced equipment to collect deeper ocean samples and investigate the mechanisms behind 'dark oxygen' production.
• The research could have major implications for understanding Earth's ecosystems and the potential for life on other planets, with NASA showing interest in the findings.
• Scientists urge a pause in deep-sea mining activities to better understand the ecological role of these nodules, as mining could harm marine ecosystems and disrupt carbon sequestration.

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