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Home / IAS Preparation / Dark Oxygen

Dark Oxygen: Definition, Discovery, Mechanism, Key Takeaways & UPSC Notes

Last Updated on May 05, 2025
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Dark Oxygen is Oxygen produced in the deep ocean at the depth where daylight can not arrive, so photosynthesis can not happen. The finding of dark oxygen display in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone has questioned the traditional insight that oxygen generation is basically linked to photosynthesis, which needs sunlight.

In this comprehensive article, we will study what dark oxygen is, how it is produced, the discovery of dark oxygen, and its location and significance. This topic is important from the perspective of General Studies Paper III, which covers Science and Technology, Ecological Concerns, International Seabed Authority (ISA), Deep-Sea Mining, etc. This article is of massive importance forUPSC CSE Exam aspirants. It will be of boundless help in their preparation. 

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Syllabus

General Studies Paper III

Topics for Prelims

Dark Oxygen, Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ)

Topics for Mains

Science & Technology, Earth Science, Environmental Studies

What is Dark Oxygen?

The production of dark oxygen is related to the ocean's ecosystem. It also displays that oxygen can be produced even in the darkness of a deep sea where sunlight can not be reached, or any sign of photosynthesis can not be found.

  • Dark oxygen refers to oxygen made at intense ocean depths without the involvement of photosynthesis.
  • This method happens in complete darkness on the ocean floor, questioning the conventional understanding that sunlight is required for oxygen generation.
  • These nodules perform where sunlight does not penetrate under intense pressure and low-temperature states.
  • It was preferably discovered in 2024 by researchers exploring deep-sea atmospheres.
  • The strange nodules located at a depth of 13,000 feet act like natural batteries, breaking water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, utilising electrical charges.

Occurrence

  • Discovered in specific deep-sea zones, mainly in regions marked by unique electrochemical activity.
  • Appears in places formerly considered unable to support oxygen production.
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Discovery of Dark Oxygen

In July 2024, scientists specified "dark oxygen" at a deepness of 13,100 feet in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean. Deep-seafloor organisms deplete oxygen, which can be measured by in situ benthic chamber investigations. Such experiments at the polymetallic nodule-covered abyssal seafloor in the Pacific Ocean in which oxygen raised over two days to more than three times the background concentration, which, from ex-situ gestations, we attribute to the polymetallic nodules. Given the possibility of high voltage (up to 0.95 V) on nodule surfaces, we hypothesize that seawater electrolysis may contribute to this dark oxygen generation.

Importance of the Discovery

  • Marine plankton, some bacteria, algae, and floating plants are the preliminary components attributed to oxygen production in the sea. All these organisms are competent in photosynthesis. 
  • The dark oxygen production at such deepness is supposed to be unbelievable because plants have insufficient daylight for photosynthesis.
  • It was believed that oxygen was formed only through photosynthesis, which requires sunlight. Yet, in this topic, plants also do not produce oxygen.
  • The oxygen comes out of polymetallic nodules, equivalent to coal lumps.
  • These nodules, produced of metals like iron, manganese, cobalt, copper, lithium, and nickel, can develop oxygen through electrochemical movement even without sunlight.
  • They break H2O molecules into oxygen and hydrogen.

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Why is Dark Oxygen Important?

Understanding the importance of Dark Oxygen is crucial to get our heads around Earth's old climates, the chance of finding juice on other worlds, and what digging deep in the ocean does.

Mechanism Of Dark Oxygen Production

  • Metallic nodules prosperous in iron and manganese on the seafloor were discovered to yield dark oxygen.
  • Oxygen production happens through electrochemical movement by dividing seawater into oxygen and hydrogen, even without daylight.

Effectiveness of the Mechanism

  • The mechanism changes the view that photosynthesis is the exclusive origin of oxygen.
  • It presents the chance of oxygen-rich atmospheres on other earths, potentially enabling otherworldly species.
  • Dark Oxygen production on Earth may refresh ideas about energy sources of life.

Application of the Dark Oxygen Mechanism

  • It Provides oxygen for aquatic organisms in oceanic climates.
  • The potential of Otherworldly Insights displays that the dark oxygen production and its mechanism suggests Equal oxygen production could transpire on other moons and planets, perhaps sustaining energy.

Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters.

2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters.

3. 'Rare earth minerals' are present on the seafloor in international waters.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Challenges Posed by "Dark Oxygen Mechanism"

  • Environmental Consequences are the most essential consideration regarding dark oxygen. It delivers perspicuity into deep-water mining for these nodules. It could disrupt oxygen production and damage aquatic life.
  • Ecosystem collapse is another concern that has environmental consequences. Mining movements may ruin unexplored and inaccurately comprehended marine ecosystems.
  • It also shows regulatory direction. This direction ensures environmentally pleasant mining techniques essential to mitigate earthly damages.

    • Learn more about Air Pollution Measurement!

How is the Clarion-Clipperton Zone Related to Dark Oxygen?
  • Area: The Clarion-Clipperton Zone is an extensive plateau between Hawaii and Mexico in the North Pacific Ocean.
  • Resources: It comprises enormous sediments of polymetallic nodules fatty in minerals like manganese, copper, cobalt and nickel. These minerals, including solar panels and electric conveyances, are essential for green technologies.

Polymetallic Nodules & Dark Oxygen
  • Polymetallic or manganese nodules are stone buildings on the sea base, mostly assembled of manganese and iron oxides, with fraction pieces of other metals like copper, nickel, cobalt, and occasionally rare ground elements. 
  • They form gradually over millions of years through rainfall from ocean water onto a primary substance, a shell portion, a piece of basalt or even a shark tooth. 
  • There is increasing curiosity in excavating polymetallic nodules for usefulness in electronics, batteries and different technologies due to their increased engagement of priceless metals,
  • Oceanic mining of polymetallic nodules increases worries about possible harm to the ecosystem, including upsetting deposition plumes and affecting benthic sources of life. 

Learn more about Environmental Pollution and Hazards!

Key Takeaways on Dark Oxygen for UPSC Aspirants!

  • Context: Experimenters have found dark oxygen being made in the profound sea.
  • About: Dark oxygen is made profoundly under the ocean moisture without sunlight.
  • Background: A bulletin earmarked to Earth Sciences analysis displays oxygen ejected from mineral residues 4,000 meters (about 13,000 feet) below the sea's surface on the Pacific Ocean's Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) seafloor.
  • Method: Oxygen is necessary for energy on Earth; the well-known process is called photosynthesis, by which algae and plants produce oxygen utilising sunlight. 

Download Dark Oxygen Key Takeaways PDF

Dark Oxygen is a crucial topic for every UPSC aspirant. It displays how Oxygen can be produced under deep oceanic water without the scientific process of photosynthesis and sunlight. UPSC aspirants should pay extra attention to the concept of dark Oxygen.

If you need detailed study materials for the UPSC CSE exam and for other competitive exams, Testbook is your ultimate solution. Their quality content covering MCQs with comprehensive explanations, master classes, practice papers, and mock test papers covering general studies and videos related to current affairs have secured their top position. Uplift your UPSC preparation by downloading the Testbook App today.

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Dark Oxygen UPSC FAQs

The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) is 4.5 million square kilometres between Mexico and Hawaii.

Dark oxygen produces oxygen in deep oceanic water without sunlight and photosynthesis.

The polymetallic nodules that make dark oxygen include metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese and lithium.

The voltage of dark oxygen is 1.5 volts. It is sufficient to split ocean water into oxygen and hydrogen.

A group directed by Andrew Sweetman of SAMS preferably marked the dark oxygen in 2013 while doing fieldwork on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean.
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