From Earth to Europa: An Exploration into Sulfur-Ice Environments

在整个太阳系中已经发现了许多水世界，每个世界都在厚厚的冰/岩石外壳下隐藏着一个液态的地下海洋。木星的卫星木卫二可能是其中最具天体生物学前景的；其海底的热液活动和其表面的辐射分解硫/氧的产生汇合在一起，为潜在生命创造了一种可利用的化学能源。木卫二外部纵横交错的混乱地形暗示着可能与下面的海洋进行通信，因此，研究这些地形以及可能的羽流对于即将到来的生命探测任务(例如，木卫二快艇)至关重要。这项研究的目的不仅是加深我们对木卫二的了解，探索不同冰的物理和化学、不同物理化学条件下的生物特征修改率/检测方法和全球规模的氧化还原系统，而且还加深我们对地球上存在的脆弱北极环境及其相关微生物群落的了解。这将通过实地工作、建模和最终的实验室实验来实现，包括：FT-IR光谱、环境模拟小室、细胞限制和微生物群落分析，以及离子/元素组成调查。所获得的知识随后将用于对海洋和大气不接触的类似系外行星超级地球进行建模。最终，结果将增强我们对地球内外极端环境中的宜居性和生命的了解。

Many water worlds have been discovered throughout the solar system, each hiding a liquid, sub-surface ocean beneath a thick shell of ice/rock. Jupiter's moon Europa may be the most astrobiologically promising of these; the confluence of hydrothermal activity on its seafloor and radiolytic sulfur/oxygen production at its surface creates a source of chemical energy for potential life to utilize. Chaos terrains criss-crossing Europa's exterior suggest possible communication with the underlying ocean, therefore investigating these alongside possible plumes will be critical for upcoming life-detection missions (e.g, Europa Clipper). This research aims to further our understanding of not only Europa, exploring the physics and chemistry of different ices, biosignature modification rates/detection methods under different physiochemical conditions, and planetary-scale redox systems, but also of vulnerable Arctic environments present on Earth along with their associated microbiological communities. This will be achieved through fieldwork, modelling, and finally laboratory experimentation including: FT-IR spectroscopy, environmental simulation chambers, cell limitation and microbial community analyses, and ion/elemental compositional investigation. Knowledge gained will subsequently be used in modelling similar exoplanet super-Earths where the ocean and atmosphere are not in contact. Ultimately, results will enhance our knowledge of habitability and life in extreme environments, both on Earth, and beyond.