Scientists have discovered that metal lumps on the dark seabed produce oxygen, prompting plans to explore the deepest parts of Earth’s oceans to investigate this phenomenon further.
The researchers believe that understanding this process could impact how we perceive the potential for life on other planets.
Previously, it was thought that oxygen could only be created through photosynthesis by plants in sunlight. This new discovery challenges that assumption.
The production of oxygen in the dark by metal lumps may be occurring on other planets, potentially creating environments suitable for life to thrive.
Lead researcher Prof Andrew Sweetman stated that this discovery could reshape our understanding of life sustainability on planets without direct sunlight.
Their mission is to investigate further and determine the mechanisms at play in this unique oxygen production process.
The initial findings sparked a global scientific debate, drawing criticism from some scientists and deep sea mining companies planning to extract metals from seabed nodules.
Exploring oxygen production at extreme depths challenges our understanding of life on the seafloor and raises questions about the impact of mining operations on marine ecosystems.
The upcoming investigation will focus on sites over 10km deep, using advanced submersible equipment to explore this phenomenon further.
Collaborative experiments with NASA will aim to determine if similar processes could support microbial life on other planets and moons.
Last year, the groundbreaking findings were published in the journal Nature Geoscience based on expeditions to an area of the deep sea where sensors detected increasing oxygen levels.
Experiments showed that metal nodules generate oxygen by electrolyzing seawater, contrary to previous beliefs surrounding oxygen production.
Despite criticism from some scientists and mining companies, the research team is determined to provide further evidence through new experiments.