Phosphate availability and implications for life on ocean worlds

Index

Abstract

Several moons in our outer solar system possess subsurface liquid water oceans. This paper investigates the availability of phosphate, an essential nutrient for all known life, within these ocean worlds to assess their habitability. Equilibrium dissolved phosphate concentrations are calculated based on water-rock reactions, considering various compositions and conditions. Results suggest that phosphate concentrations would likely be sufficient to support substantial life, even exceeding those in Earth's deep oceans.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Apr 25, 2023

Authors

Noah G. Randolph-Flagg, Tucker Ely, Sanjoy M. Som, Everett L. Shock, Christopher R. German, Tori M. Hoehler

Related Publications

Explore these studies to deepen your understanding of the subject.

Earth Sciences

Marine phosphate availability and the chemical origins of life on Earth

M. P. Brady, R. Tostevin, et al.

Psychology

Financial, resource, and psychological impacts of COVID-19 on U.S. College students: Who is impacted and what are the implications for adjustment and well-being?

A. L. Mccurdy, A. C. Fletcher, et al.

Medicine and Health

In Vitro Tumor Models on Chip and Integrated Microphysiological Analysis Platform (MAP) for Life Sciences and High-Throughput Drug Screening

H. Ngo, S. Amartumur, et al.

Medicine and Health

The impact of mass gatherings on the local transmission of COVID-19 and the implications for social distancing policies: Evidence from Hong Kong

P. Zhu, X. Tan, et al.

Listen, Learn & Level Up

Over 10,000 hours of research content in 25+ fields, available in 12+ languages.

No more digging through PDFs, just hit play and absorb the world's latest research in your language, on your time.

listen to research audio papers with researchbunny