Launch of Research into Deep-Sea ‘Dark Oxygen’Supporting Scottish Association for Marine Science’s work to discover new mechanism for creating oxygen

The Nippon Foundation and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) held a joint press event on January 17 at Scotland House London to announce their launch of research into “dark oxygen,” a mysterious form of oxygen created in the ocean depths by a mechanism other than photosynthesis.

Photo of Nick Owens, Andrew Sweetman, and Yohei Sasakawa
From left, SAMS Director Nick Owens, SAMS Professor Andrew Sweetman, The Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa

The research, which seeks to understand the actual conditions surrounding dark oxygen, is being led by Professor Andrew Sweetman of SAMS. The research will involve surveying 11,000 meters below the ocean surface using newly developed, specialized experimental equipment, and in addition to identifying the source of dark oxygen, will attempt to clarify its role in deep-sea ecosystems.

The Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa emphasized the significance of this research, expressing his desire for solid science to shed light on actual deep-sea conditions in a world that is still largely unknown to humans. The Foundation will support SAMS with roughly 2 million pounds (approximately 440 million yen) over three years, with the aim of unlocking the mysteries of the deep sea in cooperation with global research institutes and international organizations.

Photo of Yohei Sasakawa
Yohei Sasakawa addressing the press event

UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) has endorsed this research as a United Nations Ocean Decade activity. NASA has shown interest in the latest science at the heart of this research – the possibility that oxygen is created without relying on photosynthesis – which is expected to shed light on the origins of life on earth and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

Photo of the press event
Members of major media organizations from around the world attended the event

Contact

Ocean Affairs Team
The Nippon Foundation

  • E-mail: kaiyo_info@ps.nippon-foundation.or.jp