We have both geological and magnetic field evidence for the presence of Europa's ocean, but these lines of evidence can also give us an idea of what is inside Europa's ocean. The electric conductivity of Europa's liquid ocean layer indicates that it must contain salts. But how salty is Europa's ocean and which salts does it contain? We can directly measure salts at the surface of Europa's ice, such as sulfates. It's likely that some salts at Europa's surface are from Io (Iogenic), but based on the association between salts at the surface and geologic features, many of these salts are likely endogenic or from Europa's interior (aka: it's ocean). Europa's ice potentially contains brines, gases, hydrates, and salt inclusions and may even convect, contributing to these resurfacing processes. Models based on what we've found in the ice so far, suggest that potential salts in Europa's ocean include CaSO4, NaCl, NaSO4, & MgSO4. The presence of such salts in Europa's ocean suggests that there is direct contact between Europa's ocean and the silicate mantle at the ocean floor. These water-rock interactions greatly increase the possibility for life on Europa. But even though we have narrowed down the mantle composition to being silicate, we don't have a good idea of it's exact silicate composition and thus, we cannot narrow down the possibile ocean compositions too much with this information alone. Hydrothermal vents could also drive reactions between water and rock to form carbonates and/or sulfides, which could become oxidized to sulfates and eventually resurfaced (contributing to the sulfates we observe at Europa's surface). Europa's Na and K rich atmosphere suggests a NaCl and KCl rich ocean. Europa's ocean also likely contains organic material which may even help maintain life in Europa's ocean. There is a wide range of possible salinities of Europa's ocean as well as which salts and organic compounds it contains, so there is a lot we can learn from the upcoming Europa Clipper mission.
References: Europa book: [ Ссылка ]
Alien Oceans book/audiobook by Dr. Kevin Hand (one of my favs!): [ Ссылка ]
Unmasking Europa (a book about the search for life of Europa from a geological perspective): [ Ссылка ]
GEO GIRL Website: [ Ссылка ] (visit my website to see all my courses, shop merch, learn more about me, and donate to support the channel if you'd like!)
0:00 Evidence for Europa's Ocean
1:36 How to determine Europa's ocean composition
2:38 Clues at Europa's Surface
5:45 Clues within Europa's Ice Shell
10:36 Water Rock Interactions in Europa's Ocean
13:22 Hydrothermal Vents in Europa's Ocean
14:40 Salts in Europa's Ocean
15:42 Salinity of Europa's Ocean
17:17 Formation of Europa's Ocean
21:55 Organic Matter in Europa's Ocean
23:41 Related Videos & References
Hey there, Earth enthusiast! Check my favorite Earth-friendly products:
Bamboo toilet paper: [ Ссылка ]
Bamboo paper towels: [ Ссылка ]
Compostable tableware: [ Ссылка ]
Compostable trash bags: [ Ссылка ]
Bamboo cutlery + straw! : [ Ссылка ]
Eco-Friendly Tote (great for grocery shopping!): [ Ссылка ]
Reusable straws + cleaning brushes (my fav!): [ Ссылка ]
Eco-friendly laundry detergent: [ Ссылка ]
Directly offset your carbon footprint with Wren: [ Ссылка ]
(Just click link, press get started, take the free C footprint quiz, then choose how much you want to reduce your footprint by donating to the C sequestration projects they're funding!)
Non-textbook books I recommend:
Oxygen by D. Canfield: [ Ссылка ]
Brief history of Earth by A. Knoll: [ Ссылка ]
Life on young planet by A. Knoll: [ Ссылка ]
Some assembly required by N. Shubin: [ Ссылка ]
Your inner fish by N. Shubin: [ Ссылка ]
Oxygen by N. Lane: [ Ссылка ]
Alien Oceans by K. Hand: [ Ссылка ]
Life's Engines: [ Ссылка ]
Tools I use as a geologist/teacher/student:
Geology field notebook: [ Ссылка ]
Geology rock hammer: [ Ссылка ]
Geological compass: [ Ссылка ]
Geological hand lens: [ Ссылка ]
Camera: [ Ссылка ]
Carbon-neutral pencil bag: [ Ссылка ]
Carbon-neutral backpack: [ Ссылка ]
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