Scientists have discovered elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide in unexpected areas on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, sparking research to understand the perplexing distribution of this compound. The findings have implications for assessing Europa’s habitability, as they suggest a possible link between hydrogen peroxide and carbon dioxide in the moon’s chaotic terrains.
According to recent telescope data, the highest concentrations of hydrogen peroxide occur in warmer equatorial regions known as Tara Regio, defying decades of laboratory studies that predicted higher levels in colder polar areas. Bereket Mamo is an Emerging Researcher. He recently submitted a NASA proposal to further investigate this mystery, specifically focusing on how these oxidants (including hydrogen peroxide) could influence the habitability of Europa’s subsurface ocean.
Surprising Discoveries in Chaos Terrains
The chaos terrains of Europa display enhanced concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. These incredible capabilities allow us to see vastly higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2). This correlation leads one to ask interesting questions of what chemical processes are actively occurring on the moon’s surface.
Dr. Ujjwal Raut, program manager in SwRI’s Planetary Science Section and Mamo’s Ph.D. advisor at SwRI, stressed the importance of these discoveries. He stated, “The occurrence of increased hydrogen peroxide in a region that has evidence of CO2, sodium chloride, and other species of interest is intriguing.” This suggests an intricate chemical cocktail of compounds that could play a significant role in the moon’s potential habitability.
As part of their research, scientists seek to determine how these carbon-bearing species are transported to Europa’s icy surface from a global subsurface ocean. These compounds are bombarded by Jupiter’s powerful plasma, causing the formation of hydrogen peroxide and various other organics.
Experimental Insights into Chemical Processes
Mamo and his team performed experiments designed to replicate Europa’s extreme surface conditions. They combined water ice and CO2 in an air-tight vacuum chamber. Next, they irradiated the mixture with high-energy electrons to induce changes in peroxide production. Mamo explained, “We then irradiated this ice mixture with energetic electrons to see how the peroxide production changed.”
These experiments provide key pieces of evidence. For example, they may be the key to explaining the mysterious observations uncovered by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). These discoveries build on their previous work to advance knowledge of Europa’s complex and unique chemistry. More importantly, they laid the foundation for future missions that will allow us to safely explore the moon in even higher resolution.
Richard Cartwright, an astrobiologist collaborating on the research, said the findings have important implications—even for life beyond Earth. He noted, “Chemical energy is important because it is a necessary ingredient for the dark habitable ocean worlds where the sun doesn’t shine.”
Implications for Future Missions
The study straddles the line between basic and applied research and matches NASA’s and other agencies’ present attempts to survey Europa more closely. The next mission, known as the Europa Clipper, will closely study the icy moon. To do that, it needs to collect groundbreaking data on exactly how habitable it really is. Cartwright remarked, “In fact, an entire NASA mission, the Europa Clipper, is en route to the Jovian system right now to explore the icy moon and help us understand Europa’s habitability.”
Whatever these investigations may reveal, the insights learned from Mamo’s experiments will be instrumental in helping the viral vector field be better prepared for such future investigations. Dr. Ben Teolis, SwRI planetary scientist and co-author of the study, described carbon in a body’s interior, such as that in Europa’s ocean, interacting with energetic inputs from the magnetosphere. His research shows that this interaction produces new species on the surface, such as hydrogen peroxide and other organic compounds that are energetic in nature.