Randomized trial evaluates pH-sensitive minerals from Enceladus’ ocean, suggesting viability for habitability assessment.
Key Points
The aim is to assess whether Raman spectroscopy can distinguish between weakly and strongly alkaline pH values in minerals from Enceladus' subsurface ocean.
Frozen simulated ocean fluids with pH values of 9 and 11 were analyzed under conditions mimicking Enceladus.
Raman spectra were collected using a standoff geometry system designed for space applications.
The analysis focused on identifying diagnostic peaks related to carbonate minerals.
At pH 9, both NaHCO3 and Na2CO3 signals were detected, while only Na2CO3 was evident at pH 11.
Raman spectrometers can distinguish between these mineral phases despite lower resolution.
The findings validate the use of in situ Raman spectroscopy for estimating seawater pH on icy moons.