darkness in the deep
by Mike Fainzilber
splitting the ocean
for a breath of fresh air
This is a haiku about oxygen production without photosynthesis, in the deep darkness of the ocean floor. A team of geoscientists discovered locations on the deep seabed of the Pacific Ocean where oxygen levels increased over time in the completely dark environment, in contrast to the dogma that oxygen production in nature must be by light-fueled photosynthesis.
The seafloor in these locations were covered with polymetallic nodules, and lab analyses of such nodules revealed them as a source of oxygen production, and also showed that they have high surface electricity (voltage). The researchers suggest that seawater electrolysis (literally splitting seawater with electricity) by the nodules can generate oxygen on the seafloor. This oxygen may be critical to sustain life in the deepest darkest region of the ocean.
Further reading:
‘Evidence of dark oxygen production at the abyssal seafloor‘, 2024, Sweetman, A.K., et al., Nature Geoscience. Available: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01480-8
‘Mystery oxygen source discovered on the sea floor — bewildering scientists‘, 2024, Castelvecchi, D., Nature. Available: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02393-7
Author bio:
Mike Fainzilber’s day job is a biologist. He began writing haiku and senryu during the pandemic, and this side effect of COVID-19 has not worn off yet. Editors in his two spheres of activity have been known to suggest that he should best restrict his efforts to the other sphere. Find out more about Mike’s research via his lab’s website and connect with him on X/Twitter @MFainzilber.
Read more sciku by Mike: ‘The deepest shade’ and ‘Jellyfish’.