The chemical balance of the pond ice Europe (one of Jupiter’s moons) resembles that of the Earth’s oceans. Dedicated to this study by researchers from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, USA), published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, a brief about it informs NASA.
In this article, scientists have shown that the necessary chemical energy balance in the under-ice ocean Europe can be even if volcanic activity on the satellite is not sufficiently developed. For planetary scientists their findings came simulated in laboratory conditions in Europe the reservoir.
Scientists are interested in the production of hydrogen and oxygen in the oceans of the moon, not directly associated with underwater volcanic activity. It turned out that it is similar to that on Earth and ten times the production of oxygen in the ocean is higher than hydrogen.
Linear structures on the surface of Europe
Photo: SETI Institute / JPL-Caltech / NASA
In their study, the researchers calculated the intensity serpentizatsii process in which (in the world) in a sea water of silicates of magnesium and iron produced mineral serpentine. The hydrogen is released by this process. The source of the silicates are cracks at the bottom of the ocean ice, which, according to scientists, continue to emerge so far as a result of the gradual cooling of the moon. At the bottom of Earth’s oceans as there are faults. As they reach the depth of 5-6 kilometers. In Europe, their depth, according to scientists, can reach 25 kilometers.
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The oxygen is produced, according to scientists, in much larger quantities and coming from the upper layers of the ocean ice in Europe. Scientists interested in the balance of oxygen and hydrogen on the moon Europe. first acts as an oxidizing agent, and the second in the Earth’s ecosystem – reducing agent. If too much oxygen in the ocean, it will be sour and unfit for life. Scientists have shown that the oxygen-hydrogen balance for the satellite may be optimal, even in the absence of active submarine volcanoes, and suggested that Europe holds cycle oxidant (oxygen from the surface layer of the ocean) and reducing agents (hydrogen from the bottom).
Hydrothermal field Lost City in the Mid-Atlantic ridge
Photo: Kevin Peter Hand / NASA
Europe is a major source of candidates for extraterrestrial life in the solar system. Under the icy surface of Europa may be hiding ice ocean or viscous layer of ice. Salt water under the surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa may be two times higher than in the oceans on Earth. Hubble Telescope in 2012, Europe recorded water geysers. On Earth, similar similar to the European conditions are observed, such as the Lost City hydrothermal fields of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (shown above).
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