Europa's Acid Ice Fields

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."

Comments

so, so confoused...

[nphinit]

I'm not sure what to make of this. I visited Europe several times in the past few years with my Uncle Tim. I'll admit the water in Scottland tasted abit funny but the place didn't strike me as acidic. I didn't smell much sulfer either, i think the author is mistaken about that one! as for intelligent life in england there is some but not so much in france. maybe this article on acidic europe is what the hackers call a "troll"?

Re:With apologies to Monty Python...

[bev_tech_rob]

Or as we say on Slashdot.....