31 votes

"Dark oxygen" production defies knowledge of the deep ocean, potentially upends standard model for discovering life on other planets

Posted by drannex
Tags: chemistry.marine, biology.marine, oceans, energy, batteries, clarion clipperton zone, noaa, exploration.deep sea, oxygen.dark, scientists, author.victoria gill, source.bbc
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c728ven2v9eo

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Title
Dark oxygen made by deep sea 'batteries'
Word count
839 words

4 comments

  1. [3]
    chocobean
    Link
    At a time when we're already quickly destroying oxygen making plants and algae on the surface, we're gonna destroy the ocean's oxygen making rocks too? I hope governments around the world can work...

    Several mining companies have plans to collect these nodules[...] And because these nodules contain metals like lithium, cobalt and copper - all of which are needed to make batteries - many mining companies are developing technology to collect them and bring them to the surface.

    At a time when we're already quickly destroying oxygen making plants and algae on the surface, we're gonna destroy the ocean's oxygen making rocks too? I hope governments around the world can work together to stop this from happening at scale.....there will be pirates, there will be state backed ones, but hopefully we can stop it from happening freely and openly.

    21 votes
    1. Raspcoffee
      Link Parent
      Whether they are helpful to our environment or not is really still such an open question that it would be stupid to begin a big mining project. At the very best a small, restricted amount to see...

      Whether they are helpful to our environment or not is really still such an open question that it would be stupid to begin a big mining project.

      At the very best a small, restricted amount to see what the short term effects could be reasonable, but I'm not optimistic. They contain prime resources and geopolitical tensions are right now very intertwined with economic prospects. Not too mention the sheet profit that would come from this. I really hope to be wrong though.

      8 votes
    2. pridefulofbeing
      Link Parent
      Unfortunately, the system of capitalism will continue to seek profits. The return on investment in time is seeking profits not sustaining future human life. Have to change the system itself, or it...

      Unfortunately, the system of capitalism will continue to seek profits. The return on investment in time is seeking profits not sustaining future human life.

      Have to change the system itself, or it will continue doing what it rewards.

      5 votes
  2. drannex
    Link
    I saw the list of materials that they said the nodules were made of and went "Oh, they're natural batteries, its electrolysis" and was shocked that they came to the same conclusion. I am working...

    I saw the list of materials that they said the nodules were made of and went "Oh, they're natural batteries, its electrolysis" and was shocked that they came to the same conclusion. I am working in the wrong field.

    The researchers think the same process - battery-powered oxygen production that requires no light and no biological process - could be happening on other moons and planets, creating oxygen-rich environments where life could thrive.

    20 votes