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

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.