The composition of the ocean of Europa, a natural satellite of Jupiter, may be positive for the development of life.
The chemical balance of the ice-reservoir of Europe (one of Jupiter’s moons) resembles earth’s ocean.
Dedicated research scientists from the jet propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, USA) published in the Geophysical Research Letters magazine, briefly about it, reports NASA.
In the article, scientists have shown that the necessary balance of chemical energy in the sub-ice ocean of Europa may be even in the case that volcanic activity on the satellite is not sufficiently developed. These findings led planetary scientists have modeled in the laboratory conditions of the reservoir of Europe.
Scientists interested in the production of hydrogen and oxygen in the ocean of the moon, not directly associated with underwater volcanic activity. It turned out to be similar to that on Earth, and the oxygen production in the ocean is ten times higher than hydrogen.
In their study, the researchers calculated the intensity of the process of serpentization, in which (on Earth) in seawater of silicates of magnesium and iron are formed, the mineral serpentine. In this process, hydrogen is released. Source of silicates are cracks at the bottom of the under-ice ocean, which, according to scientists, continue to appear still in the gradual cooling of the moon. On the ocean floor of the Earth there are also such faults. In depth they reach 5-6 km. In Europe, their depth, according to scientists, can reach 25 miles.
The oxygen produced according to scientists, in much larger quantities and coming from the upper layers of under-ice ocean of Europa. Scholars interested in the balance of oxygen and hydrogen on the moon Europe. In the ecosystem of the Earth acts as a first oxidizer and the second is a reducing agent. If too much oxygen in the ocean, it will be acidic and unsuitable for life. Scientists have shown that oxygen-hydrogen balance on the satellite can be optimal even in the absence of active underwater volcanoes, and suggested that in Europe, there is a cycle of oxidizing agents (oxygen, near-surface layer of the ocean) and reducing agents (hydrogen, from the bottom).
Europe is one of the main candidates for the source of extraterrestrial life in the Solar system. Under the icy surface of Europa may be hiding under-ice ocean or viscous layer of ice. Salt water beneath the surface of Jupiter’s moon may be two times more than in the oceans on Earth. The Hubble telescope in 2012, Europe recorded water geysers. On Earth similar to European conditions are observed, for example, Lost city hydrothermal fields, Mid-Atlantic ridge (shown in the figure above).
