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Thermally‐induced chemistry and the Jovian icy satellites: A laboratory study of the formation of sulfur oxyanions
Author(s) -
Loeffler Mark J.,
Hudson Reggie L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2010gl044553
Subject(s) - jovian , astrobiology , sulfur , icy moon , astrochemistry , outgassing , chemical reaction , chemistry , photochemistry , physics , astronomy , organic chemistry , planet , interstellar medium , galaxy , saturn
Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that magnetospheric radiation in the Jovian system drives reaction chemistry in ices at temperatures relevant to Europa and other icy satellites. Here we present new results on thermally‐induced reactions at 50–100 K in solid H 2 O‐SO 2 mixtures, reactions that take place without the need for a high‐radiation environment. We find that H 2 O and SO 2 react to produce sulfur oxyanions, such as bisulfite, that as much as 30% of the SO 2 can be consumed through this reaction, and that the products remain in the ice when the temperature is lowered, indicating that these reactions are irreversible. Our results suggest that thermally‐induced reactions can alter the chemistry at temperatures relevant to the icy satellites in the Jovian system.