Jayme-
At the Europa Focus Group meeting earlier this month, it was obvious that
there is no clear consensus on the composition of the ocean. For sure, if
the ocean exists, it's cold-right around zero degrees Celsius, except around
any thermal vents (which may or may not exist). People seem fairly sure,
from the induced magnetic field, that the ocean is very salty. Models
indicate that the salts are probably mostly magnesium and sulfate, although
some sodium and carbonate are probably present, too. We have quite a bit
less confidence about the pH. A sulfuric acid ocean seems favored at this
point, although folks at the EFG were still talking about neutral and
alkaline models.
Jeff Kargel's models are pretty impressive, in my opinion. If we were to
select one that seems to fit the available data and the theories of Europa
formation the best, the ocean would be a cold solution of magnesium sulfate
and other salts (a little more concentrated than the Dead Sea) at a pH of
around 1. MgSO4 solutions are colorless and odorless. Concentrated
sulfuric acid is also colorless and odorless and fairly viscous, even oily
if you were crazy enough to stick your hand in it. It doesn't have an odor
like acetic acid, for example. Conc. sulfuric does give off vapor, though,
and if you snort some accidentally it will irritate or burn the lining of
your nose. (It's not fun.) Probably at Europan concentrations there
wouldn't be a lot of vapor. Highly corrosive solution, though. Your sub
might have to be gold-plated, a "yellow submarine!"
Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: Jayme Blaschke
Subject: Europa submersible hypothetical
Purely speculative question here. Let's say it's 100-200 years in the
future. We've got the funding, and are going to drop a submersible through
the ice to study Europa's ocean for several months at a time. Four person
crew. What would the scientific specialties of the crewmembers be in order
to have as broad a research base as possible? What types of instruments
would be indespensable on the submersible?
And on an unrelated note, speculation is that the ocean is extrememly heavy
in salts and sulfuric acid, right? So what would Europan seawater smell like
if exposed to air? Sulphur stink? Ordinary saltwater? Or something else
entirely?
Jayme Lynn Blaschke
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