A groundbreaking discovery in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean revealed metallic rocks producing oxygen through a natural process, contrary to the belief that oxygen can only be generated through photosynthesis. The finding, led by Professor Andrew Sweetman, has sparked a $2.7 million research project to investigate 'dark' oxygen further. The research, funded by the Nippon Foundation, aims to explore this phenomenon and its implications for understanding the deep sea and potentially life on Earth. Dark oxygen production has also been observed in surprising locations like remote groundwater in Canada and ancient South African mines, shedding light on microbial mechanisms for generating oxygen without sunlight. Scientists are particularly interested in understanding the role of microbial reactions, including the release of hydrogen, in dark oxygen production on the seafloor. The quest to unravel the mysteries of dark oxygen is paving the way for new insights into our understanding of the deep sea and microbial life's ability to thrive in diverse environments.