vania-janet/multiturn-rag-retrieval-data huggingface dataset:
Potential Plumes on Europa Could Come From Water in the Crust – NASA's Europa Clipper
Potential Plumes on Europa Could Come From Water in the Crust – NASA's Europa Clipper

NASA

Europa Clipper

Skip Navigation

menu

close modal

News

| November 13, 2020

Potential Plumes on Europa Could Come From Water in the Crust

This illustration of Jupiter's icy moon Europa depicts a cryovolcanic eruption in which brine from within the icy shell could blast into space. A new model proposing this process may also shed light on plumes on other icy bodies. Credit: Justice Wainwright

Scientists have theorized on the origin of the water plumes possibly erupting from Jupiter's moon Europa. Recent research adds a new potential source to the mix.

Plumes of water vapor that may be venting into space from Jupiter's moon Europa could come from within the icy crust itself, according to new research. A model outlines a process for brine, or salt-enriched water, moving around within the moon's shell and eventually forming pockets of water - even more concentrated with salt - that could erupt.
Europa scientists have considered the possible plumes on Europa a promising way to investigate the habitability of Jupiter's icy moon, especially since they offer the opportunity to be directly sampled by spacecraft flying through them. The insights into the activity and composition of the ice shell covering Europa's global, interior ocean can help determine if the ocean contains the ingredients needed to support life.
This new work that offers an additional scenario for some plumes proposes that they may originate from pockets of water embedded in the icy shell rather than water forced upward from the ocean below. The source of the plumes is important: Water originating from the icy crust is considered less hospitable to life than the global interior ocean because it likely lacks the energy that is a necessary ingredient for life. In Europa's ocean, that energy could come from hydrothermal vents on the sea floor.
"Understanding where these water plumes are coming from is very important for knowing whether future Europa explorers could have a chance to actually detect life from space without probing Europa's ocean," said lead author Gregor Steinbrügge, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences.
Being A Responsible Angler - NYSDEC
Try to leave the area you visit even cleaner than when you arrived.Stop the Spread of Non-Native Plants and AnimalsMany waters in New York State have been affected by the unintentional introduction of non-native plants and animals such as zebra mussels, Eurasian water milfoil, water chestnut and round goby. Often, when species such as these are first introduced, there is an absence of natural mechanisms such as predators or diseases to control these new organisms and so their numbers can skyrocket out of control. The new invading species may rapidly displace native species by outcompeting them for resources such as food and growing space. As a result, the entire natural balance and species composition of the aquatic system can be seriously disrupted, including the fishery.How You Can Help: Anglers can help maintain the state's great fishing by carefully following a few simple guidelines to prevent the spread of unwanted aquatic species.Adhere to the "Clean.Drain.Dry" method to properly remove any invasive invaders from your boats, motors, trailers, and gear before departing from an access site.Do not transport fish from one body of water to another.Use baitfish responsibly.Do not dispose of fish carcasses or by-products in any body of water.Do not assume that a body of water is already contaminated and ignore protective measures.Responsibly Use Fish as BaitAlthough using baitfish to fish can be very effective, careless use can cause irreparable harm to a fishery, including outcompeting native fish populations and spreading diseases as described in detail below.Altering the ecosystem and native populations: Baitfish introduced to waters can completely change the dynamics of native fish populations. The Adirondacks once supported outstanding brook trout fisheries, but due to the introduction of competitive fish, brook trout have been pushed out of much of its original range (Learn more about these impacts and how DEC has been protecting Adirondack fish). Sometimes the introduction of these competitive fish is a result of anglers emptying their bait buckets into the water at the end of the day. In other cases, the introduction may be purposely done by an angler who feels that a bait species may provide beneficial forage for a particular species that he or she desires to catch.
River Otter - NYSDEC
In situations where murky water occurs, they are further enabled to forage by 'motion sensitive' whiskers that help them cue in on prey location and movement.Although fish comprise the majority of their diet, amphibians and crustaceans and other aquatic invertebrates are also taken when available. They may also eat small mammals and birds (e.g., muskrat and waterfowl), reptiles, and even fruit. Otters have been known to consume vast amounts of hibernating woods and snapping turtles. These instances have detrimental effects on local populations of turtles and could wipe out local turtle populations.Since river otter are at the top of the food chain, they have a greater chance of being exposed to elevated levels of environmental contaminants such as PCBs, DDT and its associated metabolites, and heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury. This means of exposure is referred to as bio-magnification. As contaminants accumulate in the organic materials and sediments on the bottom of a waterway, they become ingested by aquatic invertebrates such as snails, mussels, and insects. These are in turn consumed by fish, which may then be eaten by larger fish, all of which are consumed by river otter. This accumulating effect results in elevated levels of pollutants in river otter due to the ingestion of contaminated food items. At such high levels, some of these contaminants can have negative impacts on otter ranging from poor survivorship to sterility or infertility.ReproductionAdult river otters breed with more than one mate in their lifetime, and the breeding season may span from December to May, depending on geographic location. Females delay implantation of sperm, and this may result in fertilization occurring from 10-12 months after initial copulation. Gestation of embryos lasts from 61-63 days, and young are born in April or May, fully furred yet blind and toothless. Litters usually range from 1-3, but 5 kits may occur. Eyes open after 30-40 days, and solid food is taken after 9-10 weeks. Adult otters will provide food for their offspring for up to 40 weeks.
Things To Do - NYSDEC
e-newsletter)Air Quality AlertsAmphibian Migrations and Road CrossingsBirdingBond Act UpdatesCatskillsChautauqua Lake News and UpdatesClimate ChangeContract Opportunities and M/WBE SupportDrinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2)Employment and InternshipsEncuentre Su Aventura (Find Your Adventure - Spanish Edition)Environmental JusticeEnvironmental Notice BulletinFive Rivers EECForests, Plants, and Land ConservationFreshwater Fishing and Boating (The Fishing Line)Global - Blank IdGrant OpportunitiesGreat Lakes Funding, News & EventsGreen LivingHudson River AlmanacHudson River EstuaryHudson River Estuary Conservation and Land UseInvasive SpeciesOutdoor Discovery e-NewsletterPesticidesReinstein Woods EECSaltwater Fishing and BoatingShellfishingWastewater OperatorsWildlife, Fish, and Marine LifeCamping, Wildlife Viewing, and Hiking (Find Your Adventure)Hunting and TrappingSolid Waste and RecyclingMaking Waves

Leave this field blank

 

Department of Environmental Conservation

Quick Links

About DEC

Hunting & Fishing Licenses

DECinfo Locator

Events Calendar

Press Releases

Employment

Apply for a Grant

Help Center

Contact Us

Accessibility Assistance

Language Assistance

PDF Help

Help for Businesses

Doing Business with DEC

Resources

Website and Usage Policies

Privacy Policy

Freedom of Information Law FOIL

Donate

Subscribe to DEC's Conservationist MagazineConservationist is packed with informative articles, first-rate photography and stunning artwork.Subscribe

Connect With Us

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube

FLICKR

 Your browser does not support iFrames
 

Translation Services
This page is available in other languages

Translate

English

Español

中文

繁體中文

Русский

יידיש

বাংলা

한국어

Kreyòl Ayisyen

Italiano

العربية

Polski

Français

اردو
STEM Lessons for Educators – NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
ScienceGrades 5 - 12Earth and Space Science

Classroom Activity
Students build a model that demonstrates an important contributor to sea-level rise – how water volume increases when the temperature of the water increases.

Classroom Activity
Thermal Expansion Model

Classroom Activity

Thermal Expansion Model

Students build a model that demonstrates an important contributor to sea-level rise – how water volume increases when the temperature of the water increases.
	TAGS:

	ScienceGrades 4 - 12Physical Sciences

Demonstration
This demonstration uses a water balloon to show how Earth's oceans are absorbing most of the heat being trapped on our warming world.

Demonstration
Global Warming Demonstration

Demonstration

Global Warming Demonstration

This demonstration uses a water balloon to show how Earth's oceans are absorbing most of the heat being trapped on our warming world.
	TAGS:

	ScienceGrades 1 - 12Earth Processes

Classroom Activity
Students use a spreadsheet model to understand droughts and the movement of water in the water cycle.

Classroom Activity
Modeling the Water Budget

Classroom Activity

Modeling the Water Budget

Students use a spreadsheet model to understand droughts and the movement of water in the water cycle.
	TAGS:

	ScienceGrades 5 - 8Measurement

Classroom Activity
Students observe the process and results of transpiration from a plant in their schoolyard.

Classroom Activity
Transpiration Demo

Classroom Activity

Transpiration Demo

Students observe the process and results of transpiration from a plant in their schoolyard.
	TAGS:

	ScienceGrades 5 - 8Earth and Space Science

Get the Newsletter

Follow JPL Education

All

 about
 

Director's Message

Executive Council

History

Annual Reports

Contact Us

Opportunities

 missions
 

Current

Past

Future

Proposed

All

 galleries
 

JPL Space Images

Infographics

Photojournal

NASA Images

Mobile Apps

 education
 

Intern

Learn

Teach

News

Events

Share

 NASA OSTEM 

 news
 

Latest News

Press Kits

Fact Sheets

Media Room

 public events

Overview
Acid Rain - NYSDEC
NADP sites within New York and in neighboring states can better understand acid deposition across the northeastern US.The NADP program measures the concentrations of free acidity (H+ as pH), conductance, calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3- ), chloride (Cl- ), and ammonium (NH4+).Data and reports from this program from across the United States can found on the NADP website.Adirondack Long Term Monitoring ProgramOver the years, many programs and policies, have reduced emissions of pollutants that acidified clouds, fog, snow, sleet, and rain. One such program is the Adirondack Long Term Monitoring Program. The ALTM has been documenting changes in the chemistry of lakes, streams, and clouds in the Adirondack Mountains since the 1980s.More than 20 chemical parameters are measured in each ALTM water sample. These include sulfate (SO42-) and nitrate (NO3-), acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), pH, and toxic inorganic monomeric aluminum (Al), all are important indicators of lake ecosystem health. Research has shown that fish and other aquatic life are less resilient when exposed to certain chemical conditions. An example of some of these conditions are an ANC below 20 microequivalents per liter (µeq/L), pH below 6, and inorganic monomeric Al above 2 micromoles per liter (µmol/L). These conditions are most likely to occur during the spring snowmelt, generally March through April.Acid-forming air pollution has declined since the 1980s. As a result, Adirondack lakes and streams are beginning to recover. For example, the acidity level in Brooktrout Lake, thought to be fishless by the mid-1980s, has decreased about 90% since the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation began monitoring this lake in 1992. Brooktrout Lake is now able to support self-sustaining brook trout populations. The DEC and its ALTM partners will continue this important program to support key environmental policy efforts even as new stressors, such as climate change, emerge.
Europa's Ocean May Have An Earthlike Chemical Balance – NASA's Europa Clipper
"We're studying an alien ocean using methods developed to understand the movement of energy and nutrients in Earth's own systems. The cycling of oxygen and hydrogen in Europa's ocean will be a major driver for Europa's ocean chemistry and any life there, just as it is on Earth."

A submersible rests on the seafloor above a region of active serpentinization near the Lost City hydrothermal vent field in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. Carbonate minerals visible in the foreground are created by this geochemical process, which can produce hydrogen as a byproduct. Credits: Kevin Peter Hand

Ultimately, Vance and colleagues want to also understand the cycling of life's other major elements in the ocean: carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur.
As part of their study, the researchers calculated how much hydrogen that could potentially be produced in Europa's ocean as seawater reacts with rock, in a process called serpentinization. In this process, water percolates into spaces between mineral grains and reacts with the rock to form new minerals, releasing hydrogen in the process. The researchers considered how cracks in Europa's seafloor likely open up over time, as the moon's rocky interior continues to cool following its formation billions of years ago. New cracks expose fresh rock to seawater, where more hydrogen-producing reactions can take place.
In Earth's oceanic crust, such fractures are believed to penetrate to a depth of 3 to 4 miles (5 to 6 kilometers). On present-day Europa, the researchers expect water could reach as deep as 15 miles (25 kilometers) into the rocky interior, driving these key chemical reactions throughout a deeper fraction of Europa's seafloor.
The other half of Europa's chemical-energy-for-life equation would be provided by oxidants -- oxygen and other compounds that could react with the hydrogen -- being cycled into the Europan ocean from the icy surface above. Europa is bathed in radiation from Jupiter, which splits apart water ice molecules to create these materials. Scientists have inferred that Europa's surface is being cycled back into its interior, which could carry oxidants into the ocean.
Freshwater Fishing - NYSDEC
Freshwater Fishing - NYSDEC

Skip to main content

 Your browser does not support iFrames
 

Department of Environmental Conservation

Things To Do

Things To Do

There are many ways to experience New York’s great outdoors. Maybe you’ll get hooked on fishing or discover sleeping under the stars is the perfect way to spend a weekend. We have information for beginners up to the more advanced outdoor enthusiast. 

View All Outdoor Activities

Camping

Hiking

Hunting

Trapping

Freshwater Fishing

Saltwater Fishing

Shellfishing

Boating

Paddling

Watchable Wildlife

Summer Camps

Love Our New York Lands

Adventure NY

Places to Go

Places to Go

Looking for your next adventure? New York has more than 5 million acres, 7,000 lakes and streams, and 52,000 miles of rivers and streams for you to explore. Use our Places to Go search tool to find locations nearby for your favorite outdoor activity. 

Find Your Spot

Find Places to Go

Accessible Recreation

Maps

Wildlife Management Areas

Tidal Wetland Areas

Agencies That Manage Public Land

Discounts For Outdoor Recreation

Nature

Nature

New York is home to many animals and plant species – both native and invasive. Learn how we protect open space and reclaim land after mining is complete. Discover the water around you in lakes and rivers, wetlands, oceans, and underground.

Learn About Nature

Animals, Fish & Plants

Invasive Species

Forests & Trees

Wildlife Health

Nuisance Wildlife

Report Dead Wildlife

Waterbodies

Open Space

Environmental Protection

Environmental Protection

DEC protects the land, water, and air resources in New York. Whether it is addressing climate change effects, promoting responsible waste management, monitoring air quality, overseeing contaminated site clean-ups, or oil and gas mining monitoring, DEC is there to safeguard the environment; you can too by reporting environmental violations and problems. 

Ways to Protect

Report a Problem

Public Safety

Wildfires

Air

Water

Bulk Storage

Recycling and Composting

Waste Management

Mining & Reclamation

Site Cleanup

Oil and Gas

Pesticides

Mercury
Tides
The Sun ― with about 27 million times the mass of the Moon ― is always the gorilla in the room when it comes to solar system equations. But it’s a distant gorilla, about 390 times farther away than the Moon, which gives it a little less than half of the Moon’s tide-generating force. Yet it still plays a role.Twice a month, when the Earth, Sun, and Moon line up, their gravitational power combines to make exceptionally high tides where the bulges occur, called spring tides, as well as very low tides where the water has been displaced. About a week later, when the Sun and Moon are at right angles to each other, the Sun’s gravitational pull works against the Moon’s gravitational tug and partially cancels it out, creating the moderate tides called neap tides.You can tell when a spring tide or neap tide is happening without being anywhere near the water. Spring tides always happen when the Moon is at the full or new phase, which is when the Sun, Moon and Earth are in alignment. Neap tides occur around the first and last quarter phase of the Moon, when the Moon’s orbit around Earth brings it perpendicular to the Sun.Twice a month, when the Earth, Sun, and Moon line up, their gravitational power combines to make exceptionally high tides, called spring tides, as well as very low tides where the water has been displaced. When the Sun is at a right angle to the Moon, moderate tides, called neap tides, result. From our view on Earth, these tides coincide with certain lunar phases since they occur when the Moon reaches specific positions in its orbit.NASA/Vi NguyenWhat About the Moon?We’ve talked a lot about the effect of the Moon’s gravitational pull on Earth. But what about Earth’s much bigger gravitational influence on the Moon? After all, Earth has 80 times the Moon’s mass. Well, just as the Moon’s pull slightly distorts Earth’s sphere, Earth’s gravity slightly deforms the Moon. It’s not as dramatic as the ocean tides ― think of it as the difference between trying to squish a balloon filled with water and a balloon filled with sand ― but these tides on the Moon are measurable using lasers, and in some cases their effects are visible.
Potential Plumes on Europa Could Come From Water in the Crust – NASA's Europa Clipper
A new NASA study modeling conditions in the ocean of Jupiter's moon Europa suggests that the necessary balance of chemical energy for life could exist there, even if the moon lacks volcanic hydrothermal activity.

Europa's Ocean May Have An Earthlike Chemical Balance

Click for more

Dome-Shaped Features on Europa

Click for more

Landscapes and Features of Europa

Click for more

Europa Clipper Vault Plate - Inward Facing Top

Stay Connected

Mission

Overview

Science

Timeline

The Team

History

FAQ

Spacecraft

Meet Europa Clipper

Instruments

Assembly

Vault Plate

Why Europa

Overview

Europa Up Close

Ingredients for Life

Evidence for an Ocean

News

Latest News

Mission Updates

Subscribe

Resources

All Resources

Images

Videos

Activities & Educational Resources

Posters, Stickers, & More

Participate

Participate

Feedback

|

Accessibility

Managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
for
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.

NASA Official/Program Executive: 
Dave Lavery

NASA Official/Program Scientist: 
Curt Niebur

Media Contact: 
Gretchen McCartney

Public Engagement Manager: 
Heather Doyle

Public Engagement Lead: 
Laurance Fauconnet

Social Media Lead: 
Bill Dunford

Science Writer: 
Sandy Marshall

Science Writer: 
Amanda Barnett
Water Safety
Water Safety

Skip to Content


County of Sonoma 

 Language


	Visit
	


 Find a Park
 


 Camping
 


 Environmental Discovery Center
 


 Book an Event
 


 Special Use Permits
 


 Leave No Trace
 


 Regional Parks River Shuttle
 


 Accessibility Assistance
 


 Park Policies
 


	Play
	


 Calendar
 


 Biking
 


 Bird Watching
 


 Boating and Paddling
 


 Camping
 


 Camps
 


 Fishing
 


 Hiking
 


 Horseback Riding
 


 Swimming
 


 Tolay Fall Festival
 


 Trails Challenge
 


	Learn
	


 About Us
 


 Blog
 


 Contact Us
 


 Funding
 


 Future Parks
 


 Natural Resources
 


 Newsletter
 


 Outreach Programs
 


 Planning Projects
 


 Press Releases
 


 Support
 


 Teacher Resources
 


 Volunteer
 


	Find a Campsite
	


	Become a Member
	


 Join or Renew
 


 Gift Memberships
 


 Member Deals
 


	Read Our Blog
	


	Visit
	


 Find a Park
 


 Camping
 


 Environmental Discovery Center
 


 Book an Event
 


 Special Use Permits
 


 Leave No Trace
 


 Regional Parks River Shuttle
 


 Accessibility Assistance
 


 Park Policies
 


	Play
	


 Calendar
 


 Biking
 


 Bird Watching
 


 Boating and Paddling
 


 Camping
 


 Camps
 


 Fishing
 


 Hiking
 


 Horseback Riding
 


 Swimming
 


 Tolay Fall Festival
 


 Trails Challenge
 


	Learn
	


 About Us
 


 Blog
 


 Contact Us
 


 Funding
 


 Future Parks
 


 Natural Resources
 


 Newsletter
 


 Outreach Programs
 


 Planning Projects
 


 Press Releases
 


 Support
 


 Teacher Resources
 


 Volunteer
 


	Find a Campsite
	


	Become a Member
	


 Join or Renew
 


 Gift Memberships
 


 Member Deals
 


	Read Our Blog
	


 Press Releases
 


 Calendar
 


 Powered by:
 
Translate


 Sonoma County Regional Parks
 
›

 Play
 
›

 Swimming
 
›

 Water Safety
 

Share this:


 Play 
 

Play 


 Calendar
 


 Biking
 


 Bird Watching
 


 Boating and Paddling
 


 Boat Launches
 


 Paddling in the Parks
 


 Paddling the Russian River
 


 Camping
 


 Reservations and Cancellations
 


 Tent, Trailer and RV Campsites
 


 Cabins
 


 Group Campsites
 


 Environmental Campsites
 


 Camps
 


 Day Camps
 


 Summer Camps
 


 Fishing
 


 Hiking
 


 Popular Hikes