Deep-sea minerals produce oxygen in total darkness

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In one of the significant discovery, It was found that deep-sea minerals produce oxygen ( Dark Oxygen ) in absence of sun light.

It was long standing assumption that plants and algae are the only sources of Earth's oxygen.

It is known that they produce oxygen by the process of photosynthesis in the presence of Sun light.

Contrary to this assumption, A study by team of researchers, including a Northwestern University chemist, reveals that deep-sea minerals produce oxygen in absence of Sun light.

It was discovered that at a depth of 4 kilometers below the surface of Pacific Ocean, where no Sun Light can reach, small mineral deposits called polymetallic nodules are found releasing Oxygen. 

It was discovered in Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), an abyssal plain stretching between Hawaii and Mexico. It was discovered that these polymetallic nodules are electrically charged as high as that of 1.5 V. It was presumed that this voltage could splitting up H2O molecule to produce Oxygen and Hydrogen.

This discovery could give new hints on decoding Mystery of Origin of Life on Earth. 

The Guardian, SciTechDaily

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