The ocean produces oxygen primarily through photosynthesis by oceanic plankton, which are tiny drifting plants, algae, and some bacteria. These organisms use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to create energy and release oxygen as a byproduct. Scientists estimate that roughly half of the Earth's oxygen production comes from the ocean, making it a crucial contributor to the atmosphere we breathe.
While the majority of oxygen production happens near the surface of the ocean, recent research has discovered that metallic minerals on the deep-ocean floor also produce oxygen through a process called "dark oxygen production". This finding raises questions about the potential for oxygen production in other extraterrestrial environments.
To summarize, the ocean produces oxygen through:
- Photosynthesis by oceanic plankton: This process, similar to that in land plants, is responsible for the majority of oxygen production in the ocean.
- Dark oxygen production by metallic minerals: This process, recently discovered in the deep ocean, involves the oxidation of minerals, releasing oxygen.
