Researchers reported that Methanothermococcus okinawensis survived and grew in a lab ocean modeled on Enceladus, generating methane under conditions thought to exist beneath the moon’s ice.
The experiment recreated salty, alkaline water and water-rock reactions on the seafloor, which produced hydrogen the microbe used with scarce carbon dioxide to sustain itself.
The result does not show life exists on Enceladus, but it strengthens the case that the moon’s subsurface ocean could support life in principle.
2015 Cassini plume samples had already found salts and organic compounds, and a second new study says those plumes may naturally separate and concentrate ocean materials into ice grains.
That could make future missions more effective, with researchers saying current technology may be enough to detect potential biosignatures in Enceladus plume particles.