Under water modules work as batteries and produce oxygen

[paul.deitch]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c728ven2v9eo

But why doesn't the sea water short circuit them?

[Eric Mc]

Don't know the mechanism so can't answer that specific question.

However, looking for an oxygen signature in the atmosphere of exo-planets was always considered a strong indicator that biology might be occuring on the planet. This might mean that the prescence of free oxygen could just be down to normal non-biological activity.

[bunchofkeys]

There's nothing to short out?
Organic material is separating oxygen from hydrogen.

I'm not a type of person that is "down with the corporations" and I know the BBC like to put a left spin on everything. But I was annoyed to read that mining companies are looking to dig this up, to use as batteries. FFS, just leave it alone.

Hopefully it will be useless above water and too expensive to make any money on it.

[Simpo Two]

Eric Mc said:

However, looking for an oxygen signature in the atmosphere of exo-planets was always considered a strong indicator that biology might be occuring on the planet

You can also have anaerobic life.



'the oxygen appears to be produced by naturally occurring metallic “nodules” which split seawater - H2O - into hydrogen and oxygen.'

That sounds more like a catalytic reaction - but seems a bit too good to be true.

[YankeePorker]

bunchofkeys said:

I'm not a type of person that is "down with the corporations" and I know the BBC like to put a left spin on everything. But I was annoyed to read that mining companies are looking to dig this up, to use as batteries. FFS, just leave it alone.

There have been plans around to mine sea floor nodules for their metallic content for many years, this is not a new idea stemming from this recently discovered “passive electrolysis” reaction generating oxygen.

In fact this recent discovery makes sea floor nodule mining even less environmentally acceptable as it shows that they are actually having a positive effect on the sea bed environment just by existing.

[Simpo Two]

YankeePorker said:

There have been plans around to mine sea floor nodules for their metallic content for many years, this is not a new idea stemming from this recently discovered “passive electrolysis” reaction generating oxygen.

In fact this recent discovery makes sea floor nodule mining even less environmentally acceptable as it shows that they are actually having a positive effect on the sea bed environment just by existing.

Manganese I believe. But maybe there will be other kinds.

Anyway, you can be sure that the Chinese will be hoovering them up - they're not fettered by environmental concerns.

[hidetheelephants]

The problem is less removing the nodules as the trashing of a fragile biome with disturbed sediment in the water column and ploughing up the seabed.