the splitting of water and the generation of oxygen occur where?

The splitting of water and the generation of oxygen occur at the oxygen- evolving complex of Photosystem II in the chloroplasts during the light- dependent reactions of photosynthesis. This process takes place in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts where light energy is used to split water molecules into oxygen, protons, and electrons. The oxygen produced is released as a byproduct into the atmosphere. The oxygen-evolving complex within Photosystem II contains a cluster of manganese ions that catalyze the water- splitting reaction.