Researchers led by Chinese University geochemist Hao Jihua have suggested that Enceladus’s ice-covered ocean may contain dissolved phosphorus, an essential element for biological life. In addition, scientists have found carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur in the ocean.
Due to the lack of phosphorus, which is an essential component of bones, cell membranes and DNA, Enceladus was once considered uninhabited by the international scientific community.
“The ocean water on the planet turned out to be very salty and devoid of oxygen, similar to the carbonated water people drink on Earth,” said lead researcher Hao Jihua of the University of Science and Technology of China.
Although phosphorus has not yet been explicitly detected, the study provides a scientific basis for future studies of potential life on Saturn’s moon Enceladus, the researchers said.
