University of Arizona researcher, Richard Greenburg says that enough oxygen reaches the subterranean ocean of Europa that it can support not only microfauna, but macrofauna (more complex, animal like organisms). In fact, Greenberg estimates there is enough oxygen to support 6.6 billion pounds of macrofauna. Other scientist are very curious as to wether there are thermal vents on the seafloor. Europas icy surface is relatively new and oxygen in the ocean comes from particles from the sun that penetrate the ice. Based on estimates for the production of oxidizers at the surface, Greenberg says oxygen buildup in Europa's ocean is happening so quickly that it could exceed that of the Earth's oceans in a few million years. Greenburg quotes "If there is evidence for oxygenation, then the presence of oxygen would certainly increase the environmental conditions for life. It doesn't mean life is there, just that there might be free oxygen available to support biological processes."
This is discovery science because the findings are based on studies and observations made from Europa.
The importance of this research is that it suggests complex organisms on Europa.
Klotz, I. Europa, Jupiter's Moon, Could Support Complex Life, news.discovery.com/space/europa-ocean-oxygen-life.html. Oct 8, 2009
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