Hi Yves, I linked to a report about the discovery of so-called dark oxygen, but I didn’t think this discovery would lead to restrictions on deep sea mining.
By Felicity Bradstock, a freelance writer specializing in energy and finance. Oil prices
- Potato-shaped metallic nodules in the deep Pacific Ocean produce oxygen in complete darkness, calling into question previous assumptions about oxygen production.
- The discovery of “dark oxygen” raises questions about the origin of life on Earth and the potential impacts of deep-sea mining on marine ecosystems.
- As more countries and companies show interest in deep-sea mining, the International Seabed Authority is under pressure to develop mining regulations that will protect the seafloor and marine life.
The discovery of “dark oxygen” – oxygen formed deep beneath the ocean’s surface – is shedding light on the potential risks of deep-sea mining for metals and minerals, and has already raised serious concerns. Controversy As plans to approve deep-sea mining activities at an international level to meet growing demand for critical minerals come into play, recent discoveries show just how little we know about marine ecosystems.
An international team of researchers recently discovered that oxygen is produced by potato-like metallic nodules deep beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The findings, published in July in Nature Geoscience, challenge the concept of oxygen production. The discovery could lead to a rethinking of the origins of complex life on Earth.
According to a research team led by Professor Andrew Sweetman of the Scottish Institute of Marine Science, oxygen is produced in complete darkness about 4,000 metres below the ocean surface, which contradicts the previous scientific assumption that only organisms such as plants and algae can use sunlight to produce oxygen through photosynthesis.
A kind man explanation“We’ve understood that aerobic life on Earth requires oxygen, and that Earth’s oxygen supply began with photosynthetic organisms,” he added, “but we now know that oxygen is produced in the lightless depths of the ocean, so I think we need to rethink questions like, where did aerobic life begin?”
The team made the discovery during field work in Hawaii and Mexico to assess the potential impacts of deep-sea mining. Samples of nodules taken from the ocean floor in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone were found to contain a “highly charged” electrical charge, which could be useful for electrolysis of seawater, splitting it into hydrogen and oxygen. Sweetman said the nodules are “effectively like batteries in the rocks.”
The new understanding of how oxygen is produced suggests the need for further research, focusing on the largely unexplored ocean floor. It also shows how little we know about undersea ecosystems, raising questions about whether plans for deep-sea mining should go ahead. Many argue that deep-sea mining operations need to be initiated to supply the critical minerals needed to drive a global green transition to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, many environmentalists and scientists are concerned about initiating invasive seafloor activities without fully understanding the potential environmental impacts of deep-sea mining. While deep-sea mining could provide a much-needed supply of minerals needed for renewable energy devices, electric vehicle batteries, and clean technologies, it could also cause other environmental problems in the future.
The International Seabed Authority (ISA), the UN regulatory body that oversees deep-sea mining, is currently developing mining regulations as more countries and companies express interest in developing new projects. The ocean floor is rich in potato-sized nodules of vital minerals such as cobalt, nickel, copper and manganese that many see as essential to facilitating a green transition. In January, Norway announced it would begin mining operations in the region. The first country to recognize The implementation of deep sea mining for critical minerals. However, rather than immediately opening new mining projects, governments will review proposals from mining companies on a case-by-case basis and approve licenses. New deep sea mining activities are likely to begin in the coming years, increasing pressure on the ISA to develop international mining regulations to ensure the protection of the seabed and marine life.
However, a major controversy has been brewing over the ISA’s leadership in recent months as current ISA Executive Director Michael Lodge is vying with Leticia Carvalho for the position of next Executive Director. Whoever becomes the next Executive Director will have a significant impact on deep sea mining regulations. Lodge is a strong supporter of establishing regulations that allow projects to be developed, while Carvalho believes more time is needed to understand the potential impacts of deep sea mining before establishing appropriate regulations. Supporters of each candidate have accused the other of trying to influence the election results. Offer to pay Travel expenses for the delegation and Pay the delegation’s overdue dues Fees, which may affect the outcome as countries in arrears cannot vote.
The ISA’s structure is already under scrutiny following multiple complaints about its current leadership and upcoming elections for Secretary-General. The ISA is tasked with protecting undersea ecosystems, with some member states benefiting from new mining activities and others fearing the impacts of mining on the seas and land. The recent discovery of “dark oxygen” has put the ISA under pressure to conduct more research in the area to better understand the potential impacts of deep-sea mining, and potentially halt new projects until it is more certain about the impacts.
