Dark Oxygen

[Ahuvah]

This is most interesting.  Please forgive me for my amateur presentation of this and feel free to elaborate and be more technical than I can be.

 

Previously  ... aka ... a few days ago, we all thought the way oxygen was made was mostly from photosynthesis.  This oxygen is generated and then dispersed all over the planet even to our oceans, via atmosphere, wind and other means. The oxygen rich surface of the ocean feeds plankton and thus a food chain begins.

This oxygen on perfect conditions can reach as deep as 1000 metres, but mostly this life giving oxygen settles at around 100-200 metres at the top of the oxygen. With essential and residual oxygen being dispersed by the ocean currents/Jetstream.

 

So with only about 5% of our oceans having been explored up until a few days ago scientists assumed this was all there was to oxygen production, but no! Deep in the oceans ... they have discovered a source of oxygen they are calling dark oxygen that is generated much like a battery. 

This was discovered on the ocean floor in region between Hawaii and Mexico called the Clarion-Clipperton zone.

 

So this is where I'm a bit dense ... I get that this source is created similar to a battery where natural metals create a condition where hydrogen and oxygen is split from a compound ... I absolutely love science but have limited knowledge. 

 

So if one of you more informed amongst us could simplify it for me and others and also I'd be interested to know what the benefits of discovering this will be for us.

Is this the  real through they think it is? Fascinating! 

 

Here's the initial source I got it from: 

Intriguing title: "Well this is Awkward" ...  why do they think this is awkward?

 

Edited July 31 by Ahuvah

[dljbsp]

### Fact Check:

#### Accurate Points:

1. **Photosynthesis as Main Oxygen Source**: Correct, most of Earth's oxygen is produced by photosynthesis, particularly by marine phytoplankton.

2. **Oxygen Distribution**: Accurate, oxygen produced is dispersed globally through atmospheric and oceanic processes.

3. **Oxygen Penetration Depth**: Generally true, oxygen can reach up to 1000 meters under ideal conditions, but is mostly concentrated in the upper 100-200 meters.

#### New Discovery:

4. **Dark Oxygen**:
   - **True**: Recent research in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone revealed a new form of oxygen production, termed "dark oxygen." This oxygen is generated by natural electrolysis-like processes involving polymetallic nodules, akin to battery operation.

#### Benefits and Implications:

5. **Scientific Importance**: This discovery could alter our understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and the global oxygen cycle, providing insights into previously unknown biological and chemical processes in the ocean depths.

For more details, you can read the article on [Nature Geoscience](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01480-8).

Ecclesiastes 3:11 - “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has even put eternity in their heart; yet mankind will never find out the work that the true God has made from start to finish.”

[Ahuvah]

Thank you Brother David.

 

Question. Why is it awkward? Is it challenging their 'unshakeable' scientific beliefs? Is it vindicating a God they want to ignore? 

Edited August 1 by Ahuvah

[-Chris-]

Hmm coincidentally this article came across my feed suggesting a later date for the rise in concentrations of oxygen.

 

https://eos.org/science-updates/how-great-was-the-great-oxidation-event

[Pjdriver]

My understanding is  the concept of "dark oxygen” production not yet considered an established scientific fact. It's based on recent groundbreaking research, primarily focusing on deep-sea environments, where oxygen has been observed to be produced in the absence of light through electrochemical reactions around polymetallic nodules.

This phenomenon has been confirmed through various experiments, but scientists are still working to fully understand the mechanisms involved and the broader implications for ocean ecosystems and the origin of life on Earth. It is too soon to say it’s an established fact, but it is certainly a fascinating  discovery.

I think we have a lot more to learn about our planet. 

[Mike047]

It's an interesting subject, Burt, and thanks for the update. I believe the journal Nature Geoscience, provides some pros and cons over any deep sea mining of it, as well.