Oxygen. The lifeline of every breath we take. We have all learned about where it comes from. Sure, photosynthesizing plants are the obvious answer. What if someone was to tell you that there is an alternative source – rocks that produce oxygen! Hard to believe? Read further to uncover the truth behind this surprising fact.
In the deep dark depths of the vast oceans, where light cannot penetrate, scientists have found some metal rich, rock-like nodules. They may seem insignificant at first glance, but these potato sized nodules hold a dark secret. Scientists at the Scottish Association for Marine Science noticed an unexpectedly high level of oxygen in the seafloor, during complete darkness. The observation was thought to be incorrect – sensors were checked, levels retested – but the result remained the same. How can there be high levels of oxygen if plants can’t photosynthesize?
The answer might surprise you: potato-shaped rock batteries! These polymetallic nodules, scattered across the ocean floor, act like natural batteries. Through electrolysis—a process that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity—they generate oxygen, even in the pitch-black depths. Thanks to their unique composition, these nodules produce a higher-than-usual voltage of 0.95 volts, and when clustered together, this jumps to an impressive 1.5 volts—enough to power electrolysis. The result? The formation of “dark oxygen,” a critical resource that sustains vibrant marine life in these hidden ecosystems.
But, as with many environmental challenges, the problem circles back to us—humans. These ocean floor beds are being mined for valuable resources like cobalt, essential for modern technologies. However, this extraction threatens to disrupt delicate ecosystems dependent on these nodules. The question remains: can we find a balance between progress and preservation, or will our pursuit of resources cost the ocean its hidden lifeline?
The Curious Gene Blog 
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