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The researchers, whose study was published Monday in the journal Nature Geoscience, found that through a newly discovered process, masses made of minerals such as manganese and iron, often used to make batteries, can produce oxygen even in complete darkness. Organisms normally need light to produce oxygen through a process known as photosynthesis, but researchers believe electrochemical activity produced by these masses — called polymetallic nodules — can extract oxygen from water. The masses formed over millions of years and can be about the size of a potato. ..... Environmental activists and many scientists believe deep-sea mining is dangerous because it can destabilize ecosystems in unpredictable ways and could affect the ocean’s ability to help contain climate change. The study received funding from companies active in seabed mining exploration.
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