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Scientists have recently made an interesting discovery deep in the ocean. They found oxygen in places where there is no light. This is strange because oxygen in the ocean usually comes from plants that use sunlight to produce it. Deep below the surface, it is always dark, so plants cannot grow there.
The researchers wanted to understand where this oxygen was coming from. They tested several ideas. They wondered if their equipment was the source or if very small organisms were making the oxygen. However, their experiments did not show these ideas were correct.
Instead, they found that special rocks on the ocean floor might be making the oxygen. These rocks are called polymetallic nodules and contain different metals. Scientists think these rocks could create a little electricity. This electricity might split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. They call this “dark oxygen” because it is made without light.
This discovery is important. It means that animals living in the deep sea might have more oxygen than people thought. It also shows that these metallic rocks are interesting for more reasons than just their metals. Scientists will do more research to fully understand this process.