Europa's Acid Ice Fields

Posted by Hemos on Monday February 16, 2004 @04:49AM from the melt-your-skin dept.

tr0llb4rt0 writes "The New Scientist reports on recent observations that suggest the ice on Jupiter's moon Europa may be highly acid with a pH of near zero, and have a surface layer of hydrogen peroxide. Two theories have been put forward. One says that the acid has been formed at the surface layer from oceanic salts reacting with the intense radiation from Jupiter, the other that sulphuric acid is coming directly from the ocean, with the water reacting with sulphur produced from undersea volcanos. Wilst reducing the chances of life on Europa, it is not ruling it out completely, as there are terrestrial extremophile bacteria which thrive in highly acid environments."

4 of 311 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Mhmm...Acid Ice! by Lispy · 2004-02-16 05:03 · Score: 0, Offtopic

Reminds me of long, hot, trippy summernights back in my teens!

Lispy
Acid.. by iLEZ · 2004-02-16 05:13 · Score: 0, Offtopic

Acid? What? Ok! Im Listening, go on.

--
You cant fight in here, its a war room!
Re:With all that hydrogen peroxide by craw · 2004-02-16 05:17 · Score: 0, Offtopic

Acid? blondes? Hey, you might be right!

I guess the others were natural brunettes.
Re:pH of near zero? by pclminion · 2004-02-16 05:23 · Score: 1, Offtopic

Hogwash!
What is the pH of hogwash? Are hogs acidic or basic?
Anybody know?