Laboratory exploration of mineral precipitates from Europa's subsurface ocean

S.P. Thompson, Hilary Kennedy, B.M. Butler, S.J. Day, E. Safi, A. Evans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The precipitation of hydrated phases from a chondrite-like Na–Mg–Ca–SO4–Cl solution is studied using in situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, under rapid- (360 K h−1, T = 250–80 K, t = 3 h) and ultra-slow-freezing (0.3 K day−1, T = 273–245 K, t = 242 days) conditions. The precipitation sequence under slow cooling initially follows the predictions of equilibrium thermodynamics models. However, after ∼50 days at 245 K, the formation of the highly hydrated sulfate phase Na2Mg(SO4)2·16H2O, a relatively recent discovery in the Na2Mg(SO4)2–H2O system, was observed. Rapid freezing, on the other hand, produced an assemblage of multiple phases which formed within a very short timescale (≤4 min, ΔT = 2 K) and, although remaining present throughout, varied in their relative proportions with decreasing temperature. Mirabilite and meridianiite were the major phases, with pentahydrite, epsomite, hydrohalite, gypsum, blödite, konyaite and loweite also observed. Na2Mg(SO4)2·16H2O was again found to be present and increased in proportion relative to other phases as the temperature decreased. The results are discussed in relation to possible implications for life on Europa and application to other icy ocean worlds.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1455-1479
JournalJournal of Applied Crystallography
Volume54
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2021

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Laboratory exploration of mineral precipitates from Europa's subsurface ocean'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this