Characterizing the ice-ocean interface of icy worlds: A theoretical approach

被引:26
作者
Buffo, J. J. [1 ]
Schmidt, B. E. [2 ]
Huber, C. [3 ]
Meyer, C. R. [1 ]
机构
[1] Dartmouth Coll, Hanover, NH 03755 USA
[2] Georgia Inst Technol, Atlanta, GA 30332 USA
[3] Brown Univ, Providence, RI 02912 USA
关键词
D O I
10.1016/j.icarus.2021.114318
中图分类号
P1 [天文学];
学科分类号
070403 [天体物理学];
摘要
We investigate the structure and evolution of multiphase ice-ocean interfaces ('mushy layers') and the implications for the geophysics and habitability of ice-ocean worlds. Understanding the potential diversity of these multiphase layers across solar system bodies provides insight into the potential rates and mechanisms of heat and solute transport between their respective oceans and ice shells - which remain largely unconstrained. Additionally, variations in mushy layer properties may drive diverse geophysical processes unique to individual bodies or that may vary regionally on an individual icy world. We explore mushy layer evolution by analytically solving for the thickness of a simplified ice-ocean mushy layer system. We investigate two dynamic regimes, one driven by molecular diffusion and one driven by convection of brine within the mushy layer. We analyze the impact of gravity, thermal gradient, and ocean composition on the thickness of mushy layers. Additionally, a perturbation analysis is carried out to investigate the existence of mushy layer steady states. We show that stable mushy layers exist when ice shells are thickening, suggesting that mushy layers are likely persistent and common features of growing ice shells and accretionary regions of ice-ocean worlds.
引用
收藏
页数:16
相关论文
共 190 条
[1]
THE ROLE OF SEA ICE AND OTHER FRESH-WATER IN THE ARCTIC CIRCULATION [J].
AAGAARD, K ;
CARMACK, EC .
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS, 1989, 94 (C10) :14485-14498
[2]
Balmforth N.J., 2007, 2006 PROGRAM STUDY I
[3]
Convection in ice I shells and mantles with self-consistent grain size [J].
Barr, Amy C. ;
McKinnon, William B. .
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS, 2007, 112 (E2)
[4]
Bear Jacob, 2013, Dynamics of fluids in porous media. New York
[5]
Berner R.A., 1980, EARLY DIAGENESIS
[6]
An energy-conserving thermodynamic model of sea ice [J].
Bitz, CM ;
Lipscomb, WH .
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS, 1999, 104 (C7) :15669-15677
[7]
The many surface expressions of mantle dynamics [J].
Braun, Jean .
NATURE GEOSCIENCE, 2010, 3 (12) :825-833
[8]
ENERGY-SOURCES FOR TRITONS GEYSER-LIKE PLUMES [J].
BROWN, RH ;
KIRK, RL ;
JOHNSON, TV ;
SODERBLOM, LA .
SCIENCE, 1990, 250 (4979) :431-435
[9]
Buffo J., 2020, PLANETS JGR
[10]
Buffo J., 2019, ASTROBIOLOGY SCI C