Raman Spectroscopy of Salt Deposits from the Simulated Subsurface Ocean of Enceladus

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that Raman spectroscopy can effectively identify pH-dependent mineral phases in salt deposits from Enceladus, enabling constraints on the moon's subsurface ocean pH and assessing its habitability.

Contribution

The paper shows that Raman spectroscopy can distinguish carbonate minerals at different pH levels, providing a practical method for planetary exploration of icy moons.

Findings

Raman spectra reveal pH-dependent carbonate mineral phases.

NaHCO₃ detected at pH 9, Na₂CO₃ at pH 11.

Raman spectroscopy can differentiate weakly and strongly alkaline ocean models.

Abstract

Saturn's ice-covered moon Enceladus may host a subsurface ocean with biologically relevant chemistry. Plumes released from this ocean preserve information on its chemical state, and previous analyses suggest weakly to strongly alkaline pH (approximately pH 8--12). Constraining the pH requires identification of pH-sensitive minerals in plume deposits. Several analytical techniques could provide such mineralogical information, but few are practical for deployment on planetary missions. Raman spectrometers, which have recently advanced for \textit{in situ} exploration and have been incorporated into flight instruments, offer a feasible approach for mineral identification on icy moons. However, their applicability to pH estimation from plume-derived minerals has not been investigated. In this study, we evaluate whether Raman measurements of plume particles deposited on the surface of Enceladus can be used to distinguish between weakly and strongly alkaline subsurface ocean models. Fluids with pH values of 9 and 11 were frozen under vacuum conditions analogous to those on Enceladus. The resulting salt deposits were then analyzed using a flight-like Raman spectrometer. The Raman spectra show pH-dependent carbonate precipitation: NaHCO$_3$ and Na$_2$CO$_3$ peaks were detected at pH 9, whereas only Na$_2$CO$_3$ peaks were detected at pH 11. These findings demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy can distinguish pH-dependent carbonate phases. This capability allows us to constrain whether the pH of the subsurface ocean is weakly alkaline or strongly alkaline, which is a key parameter for assessing its chemical evolution and potential habitability.