The cards are rebatted. So far, the light was necessary to be necessary for theappearance of lifesince the latter made it possible to have oxygen. But a recent discovery could change everything. scientists have indeed made a discovery that questions this belief in question. In the depths of The Pacific Oceanat some 4000 meters below the surface of the water, it would seem that oxygen can form, despite the most total darkness.
A study, published in Nature Geoscience, relates the discovery
Direction therefore the abyss of the Pacific Ocean. Located between Mexico and Hawaii, it is in the depths of the Clarion-Clipperton areaalso called CCZ, that the discovery was made. This gigantic set of more than 4.5 million km² revealed a secret that could question the scientific knowledge on earthly life and perhaps even, the extraterrestrial life.
A real gold mine of information for scientists
Andrew Sweetman is a researcher specializing in Great Fund ecosystems. In 2013, while he observed data on the CCZ, he saw an abnormally high level of oxygen. A level that remains identical over years, stirring the curiosity of scientists. This oxygen created in a completely obscure environment, without the presence of photosy nthèseis called Black oxygen.
But then, what does that imply? This means that oxygen could be formed by a only geochemical process. Result: scientists question the first forms of lifeespecially those of living beings in Primitive oceans. Indeed, this phenomenon may have been present long before current data. But the researchers do not stop there. What about extraterrestrial life ?
“If oxygen can appear in total darkness here, why not elsewhere in the universe?” wonders the Scottish researcher. Indeed, scientists have proven the existence ofOceans hidden under layers of iceconcerning celestial bodies, such as the satellite of Saturn, Enceladus, or even, one of the moons of Jupiter, Europe. Again, it would completely change the situation, in terms of scientific information.
This area therefore becomes a gold mine of information for scientists and the first forms of life on earth. Only here, it is also a gold mine for many companies. If this area is still very little explored, it is nevertheless known for its Polymetallic nodulesthe same as capable of Create oxygen without sunlight. These nodules are rocky concretions, with metals used for the manufacture of batteries. Nickel and cobalt, for example. Several manufacturers envisage themassive extraction of these nodules.
Problem: the area is still unknown and the repercussions could be catastrophic on the environment
Lisa Levin, marine biologist, explains that “Oxygen production without light is a ecosystem function never identified. It would be irresponsible to neglect it in favor of a precipitated extraction. ” For now, 25 countries wish an international moratorium on the mining of the great funds.
References of the article:
A secret buried at 4,000 meters deep relaunches the debate on extraterrestrial life
