Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007phdt........26h&link_type=abstract
Proquest Dissertations And Theses 2007. Section 0212, Part 0606 290 pages; [Ph.D. dissertation].United States -- California: St
Physics
1
Ice Shell, Ocean, Europa, Salinity
Scientific paper
Results from the Galileo spacecraft magnetometer were used to investigate the sub-surface ocean chemistry of Europa and to derive relationships for salinity and ice-layer thickness as a function of induced amplitude response. The best fit to the data is a 4 km ice shell and near saturation salt concentrations. This is the first empirical constraint provided for the ice shell thickness independent of surface geology and thermal models. Results for salt concentration imply that contemporary Europa could be suitable for halophilic organisms, but it may be too salty for the origin of life as we know it.
The effect of the jovian magnetic field on the surface of Europa was investigated experimentally. A cryostat-coupled vacuum chamber with an electron gun was used to irradiate thin ice films at temperatures and pressures appropriate to Europa. Hydrogen peroxide production was measured for a range of temperatures, beam currents, and electron energies. Coupled experimental results and numerical models indicate that sub-surface H 2 O 2 concentrations could be significantly larger than the observed surface abundance.
Ice mixtures of H 2 O, CO 2 , hydrocarbons, and ammonia were irradiated to examine organic chemistry and prebiotic chemistry on Europa. Clathrate hydrates were considered as a mechanism for trapping volatile species. Calculations for oxidant delivery to the sub-surface ocean show that Europa's ocean is not likely to be oxidant limited. Finally, the issue of chemical and molecular biomarkers on the surface of Europa was investigated by irradiating bacterial spores. Implications for future robotic missions are addressed.
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