Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to How about hydrothermal vents?

Oxidants from above

Hi Larry

The hydrothermal vent animals need oxygen in the water, which has come from the photic regions above. On Europa there's probably a steady supply of oxidants made by radio-chemical processing of the crustal ice, so there could be a pretty vigorous biosphere there...

The Ocean of Europa

Enceladus, and other icy moon oceans, there's somewhat less oxidant supply and less likelihood of a decent biosphere. The irony of Europa is the possible lack of reductants, but fingers crossed...

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