New Deep-Sea Landers Developed to Investigate 'Dark Oxygen' from Polymetallic Nodules

Scientists Develop New Deep-Sea Landers for 'Dark Oxygen' Research\n\nA team of scientists has developed new deep-sea landers to test their hypothesis that metallic rocks, known as polymetallic nodules, at the bottom of the ocean are producing "dark oxygen."\n\nThe claim, if confirmed, could challenge existing assumptions about the origins of life on Earth.\n\nThe deep-sea mining industry and some researchers have expressed skepticism about the "dark oxygen" claim.\n\n## New Lander Technology and Expedition\n\nBritish marine ecologist Andrew Sweetman, who led the 2024 research suggesting the existence of dark oxygen, will lead a new underwater expedition.\n\nTwo new landers were unveiled, designed to dive to depths of 11 kilometers (seven miles).\n\nThese landers feature sensors specifically engineered to measure seafloor respiration.\n\nThey are built to withstand 1,200 times Earth's surface pressure, resembling space exploration equipment.\n\nThe expedition will launch from a research ship in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, located between Hawaii and Mexico, in May.\n\nScientists anticipate confirming or refuting dark oxygen production within 24 to 48 hours after the landers resurface, with full results expected months later after further land-based experiments.\n\n## The 'Dark Oxygen' Hypothesis\n\nScientists propose that polymetallic nodules generate an electric charge sufficient to split seawater into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis.\n\nPolymetallic nodules contain valuable metals used in electric vehicle batteries and other technologies, making them a target for deep-sea mining.\n\n## Ongoing Debate and Industry Involvement\n\nSweetman addressed criticisms of his 2024 study, refuting suggestions that observed oxygen was due to trapped air bubbles in instruments.\n\nThe 2024 study received partial funding from The Metals Company, a Canadian deep-sea mining firm that has since criticized the research.\n\nMatthias Haeckel, a biogeochemist from Germany's GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, stated his own research found no evidence of oxygen production from nodules, but plans to compare methods with Sweetman later this year.\n\nSweetman emphasized that his research objective is not to halt deep-sea mining, but to gather data to minimize potential environmental impacts if mining proceeds. He noted that these nodules host diverse marine fauna.\n\nThe scientific debate coincides with discussions among companies and nations regarding regulations for the deep-sea mining industry.