Probing the Oxidation State of Ocean Worlds with SUDA: Fe (ii) and Fe (iii) in Ice Grains

Abstract

Characterizing the geochemistry of Europa and Enceladus is a key step for astrobiology investigations looking for evidence of life in their subsurface oceans. Transition metals with several oxidation states, such as iron, may be tracers of the oxidation state of icy ocean moon interiors. Their detection, as well as the characterization of their oxidation states, on the moons’ (plume) ice grains would bring valuable new information about the geochemistry of both the subsurface oceans and surface processes. Impact ionization mass spectrometers such as the SUDA instrument on board Europa Clipper can analyze ice grains ejected from icy moons’ surfaces and detect ocean-derived salts therein. Here we record mass spectra analogs for SUDA using the Laser Induced Liquid Beam Ion Desorption technique for Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ salts (both sulfates and chlorides). We show that impact ionization mass spectrometers have the capability to detect and differentiate ferrous (Fe²⁺) from ferric (Fe³⁺) ions in both cation and anion modes owing to their tendency to form distinct ionic complexes with characteristic spectral features. Peaks bearing Fe³⁺, such as [Fe³⁺ (OH)₂]⁺ and [Fe³⁺ (OH) _a Cl _b ]⁻, are particularly important to discriminate between the two oxidation states of iron in the sample. The recorded analog spectra may allow the characterization of the oxidation state of the oceans of Europa and Enceladus with implications for hydrothermal processes and potential metabolic pathways for life forms in their subsurface oceans.