Scientists have discovered “dark oxygen” being produced in the deep ocean, apparently by lumps of metal on the seafloor

[geordief]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c728ven2v9eo

and the other main news websites.

Does anyone have any idea what mechanisms could be involved?

 

[pinball1970]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c728ven2v9eo

and the other main news websites.

Does anyone have any idea what mechanisms could be involved?

There is an associated paper

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01480-8

From the abstract

"(increased O2) we attribute to the polymetallic ( polymetallic nodule-covered abyssal seafloor) nodules. Given high voltage potentials (up to 0.95 V) on nodule surfaces, we hypothesize that seawater electrolysis may contribute to this dark oxygen production."