Scattered across an abyssal plain known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) are polymetallic nodules that are a potato-sized prize for mining companies in search of materials needed for humanity's ...

Mining of rare metals on deep sea and ocean floors miles below the surface could create "dark oxygen" and also cause potentially harmful changes to the marine ecosystem, according to new research.

Deep below sunlight, a rarely seen frilled shark reveals ancient anatomy, slow reproduction, and mysterious habits, offering ...

You are taught early in science that oxygen on Earth comes from sunlight. Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria use light to split water and release oxygen, shaping the atmosphere and making complex life ...

Potato-shaped metallic nodules deep under the Pacific Ocean produce oxygen in complete darkness, challenging previous assumptions about oxygen production. The discovery of "dark oxygen" raises ...

A deep sea robot is exploring remote underwater canyons. And the biodiverse sights are astonishing. On a 55-day expedition off the Chilean coast, scientists aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's ...

The Metals Co. is trying to discredit new research that bolsters opponents’ claims that the deep sea is too unknown to mine. Scientists this week unveiled what they say is evidence that rocks rich ...

Far below the ocean’s surface, where sunlight disappears and pressure reaches crushing levels, some of the planet’s strangest ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. It’s one of the earliest things you learn in elementary school ...

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown source of oxygen production on the seafloor, challenging the assumption that photosynthesis is the primary source of oxygen. This "dark oxygen" is ...

Oxygen-producing rocks have been found on the deep seafloor, challenging what we know about oxygen production. I don’t know about you, but when I learned about oxygen production, it involved plants, ...

The Trump administration announced this past week that it has entered talks with the Cook Islands to research and develop seabed mineral resources. The Polynesian archipelago is one of only a handful ...