Research conducted by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) has unveiled a surprising discovery: metal-rich nodules found on the ocean floor, specifically in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone Fracture between Mexico and Hawaii, produce oxygen. This challenges the long-held belief that oxygen is primarily produced through photosynthesis by plants and algae.
The discovery contradicts the elementary science principle that oxygen production relies on photosynthesis. These potato-sized nodules, rich in valuable metals like cobalt, manganese, and nickel, generate oxygen even in the absence of sunlight.
This finding is significant for several reasons: it impacts our understanding of the Earth's oxygen cycle, potentially influences the assessment of deep-sea mining's environmental effects, and opens avenues for further research in marine ecosystems. The study was published in *Nature Geoscience* and covered by publications like *Popular Science* and *New Scientist*.