Chemistry of Frozen NaCl and MgSO4 Brines – Implications for Surface Expression of Europa’s Ocean Composition

Abstract:

The composition of Europa’s subsurface ocean is a critical determinant of its habitability, but current analysis of the ocean composition is limited to its expression on the Europan surface. While there is observational evidence indicating that ocean materials make their way to the surface, our understanding of the chemical processes that can alter this material under Europan surface conditions is limited. We present experimental data on the chemistry of mixed solutions of NaCl and MgSO₄ as they are frozen to 100 K, replicating the conditions that may occur when subsurface ocean fluids are emplaced onto Europa’s surface. Confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy is used to study the formation of salts during the freezing process, and the interaction of ions in the frozen brines. Our data indicate that mixed aqueous solutions of NaCl and MgSO₄ form Na₂SO₄ and MgCl₂ preferentially when frozen, rather than making NaCl and MgSO₄ precipitates. The detection of epsomite (MgSO₄Ÿ•7H₂O) on Europa’s surface may therefore imply an ocean composition relatively low in sodium, unless radiolytic chemistry converts MgCl₂ to MgSO₄ as suggested by Hand and Brown 2013 (ApJ 145 110). These results have important implications for the interpretation of remote sensing data of Europa’s surface.