"Unveiling the Mystery of 'Dark Oxygen': Underground Cells Produce Oxygen in Absence of Light"
Researchers have discovered that underground microbes are capable of producing oxygen through a process called dismutation, challenging previous assumptions about the sources of dissolved oxygen in groundwater. By breaking down nitrites, these microbes generate oxygen that can leak out of their cells and benefit other oxygen-dependent organisms. This finding not only sheds light on the evolution of the subterranean biosphere but also has implications for understanding the potential for life in other environments, such as Mars and Jupiter's moon Europa. The discovery highlights the need to reevaluate our understanding of life's requirements and the vastness of Earth's biosphere.