brines Archives

Pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions of our experiments compared to phase diagram of the CO2–H2O system. Red dots correspond to actual P–T conditions at various stages of ice preparation. Dashed lines are only indicative and do not correspond to measured variations in pressure. Paths labeled in red, yellow, and magenta correspond to ice retaining CO2. Paths labeled in black correspond to ice devoid of CO2. Lowercase letters show the stages of the experiment described in the text, with subscripts showing the applicable experiment number. The stars near the bottom left denote the P–T conditions during acquisition of spectra. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

The Fate Of Frozen Carbonated Water At Europa-like Conditions

by Keith CowingApril 13, 2026April 13, 2026

We present the results of experiments probing the retention of CO2 in crystalline water ice, frozen sodium chloride (NaCl) brines, and flash-frozen carbonated water using diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy.

Schematic of the procedure in two sets of experiments performed with carbonated water. The Planetary Science Journal

Analog Studies, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

The Fate of Frozen Carbonated Water at Europa-like Conditions

by Keith CowingMarch 20, 2026

The locations of oxychlorine detections on the surface of Mars. Details of the locations, specific species, and detection methodology in Table 1.

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Meteorites & Asteroids, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving

Oxychlorine Species On Mars: A Review

by Keith CowingNovember 17, 2025November 17, 2025

Oxychlorine species (mainly perchlorate and chlorate) have been identified at multiple locations on the surface of Mars by both orbiter and in situ rovers. They have also been found in […]

Scanning electron microscopy images showing representative regions of desiccated salt samples. Top row: Flash frozen; bottom row: slow frozen. (a) NaCl flash frozen, (d) NaCl slow frozen; (b) Na2SO4 flash frozen, (e) Na2SO4 slow frozen; (c) Na2CO3 flash frozen, (f) Na2CO3 slow frozen. -- JGR Planets

Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Ceres, Enceladus, Europa, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Microstructure Controls Sublimation Timescales of Exposed Salt-Rich Ices on Icy Worlds

by Keith CowingOctober 23, 2025October 22, 2025

Salt-rich water ice at the surfaces of icy worlds, for example, Europa, Enceladus, and Ceres, is of particular interest for Solar System exploration as it can represent a record of […]

Schematic illustration of the experimental workflow. (a) E. coli was incrementally adapted to increasing concentrations of NaClO4, NaCl and glycerol. (b) Example growth profiles of wild-type (WT) E. coli (grey) and after its adaptation and subsequent propagation at concentrations of 0.2 mol/kg NaClO4 (blue), 1.2 mol/kg NaCl (green) and 4 mol/kg glycerol (pink). Data represent means ± SD (n = 3). (c) The adaptive phenotypes were analyzed using proteomics. First, triplicates of each treatment and the WT were prepared, harvested during late exponential growth and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Next, we aimed to identify those adaptation mechanisms, which were specific for perchlorate-induced stress in E. coli. For this, a post hoc test (FDR ≤ 0.01) was performed, giving information on which treatment combinations significantly differ from each other for each protein. Sets of proteins for solute-specific and shared adaptation mechanisms were extracted using a strict filtering process and graphically depicted as Venn diagrams (see Materials and Methods). Lastly, the protein sets were used to identify significant adaptive pathways (FDR ≤ 0.05) using protein-protein interaction networks with the help of the STRING database42. Science Reports via PubMed

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Mars, Status Report

Proteomic Insights Into Survival Strategies Of Escherichia Coli In Perchlorate-rich Martian Brines

by Keith CowingApril 4, 2025

Brines, potentially formed by the deliquescence and freezing point depression of highly hygroscopic salts, such as perchlorates (ClO4-), may allow for the spatial and temporal stability of liquid water on […]

Two of the most-discussed observations of potential liquid water activity on the surface of Mars. (A) Images of droplets on the Phoenix Lander struts (each colored arrow indicates a different droplet) that have been observed to change in size and darkness over the course of the mission. These droplets were interpreted as grains of salts experiencing deliquescence and efflorescence. Figure adapted from ref. 28. (B) Sequence of images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter HiRISE camera showing recurring slope lineae (white arrows) on the slopes in a crater in Terra Cimmeria (Latitude: −32°, Longitude: 140.8°). The images are taken during the southern summer of Mars year 30 and show the evolution of dark streaks on the surface. Images credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona. Uploaded by Surajt88 at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Analog Studies, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mars, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

The Elusive Nature Of Martian Liquid Brines

by Keith CowingJanuary 4, 2025January 4, 2025

The possible presence of brines on Mars adds an intriguing dimension to the exploration of Martian environments.

The Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) PubMed

Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Cryobiology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Europa Clipper: Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-Surface (REASON)

by Keith CowingSeptember 22, 2024September 22, 2024

The Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) is a dual-frequency ice-penetrating radar (9 and 60 MHz) onboard the Europa Clipper mission. REASON is designed to probe […]

Graphical abstract -- Geochemical Perspectives Letters

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Status Report

Molecular Biosignatures In Planetary Analogue Salts: Implications for Transport of Organics in Sulfate-rich Brines Beyond Earth

by Keith CowingSeptember 11, 2024September 11, 2024

Salts formed during evaporation or freezing of brines can potentially incorporate organic matter that can inform about past biological activity. We analysed the lipid fraction preserved within the contemporary Lost […]

brines

The Fate Of Frozen Carbonated Water At Europa-like Conditions

The Fate of Frozen Carbonated Water at Europa-like Conditions

Oxychlorine Species On Mars: A Review

Microstructure Controls Sublimation Timescales of Exposed Salt-Rich Ices on Icy Worlds

Proteomic Insights Into Survival Strategies Of Escherichia Coli In Perchlorate-rich Martian Brines

The Elusive Nature Of Martian Liquid Brines

Europa Clipper: Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-Surface (REASON)

Molecular Biosignatures In Planetary Analogue Salts: Implications for Transport of Organics in Sulfate-rich Brines Beyond Earth

NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,206 2 July 2026 (Space Life Science Research Results)

Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) Concerns

Bridging Astrobiology Research and Education Through Interactive Learning Frameworks

Viking In The History And Future Of Astrobiology Programs

Collaborating With Artists In The Search For Life