These rivers will accelerate the separation of a less salty surface layer. If settlers decide to build artificial continents floating, then we will have rivers with freshwater, that will slowly flow into the oceans. We might conclude that in ancient times, when these moons were hotter, surface water was less salty. Majority of moons orbiting Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus show to have a white ice crust, with a low concentration of salts. If this process happens, then we will see stratification in a similar way to Earth's Black Sea, where water close to surface is less salty and oxygenate, while deep water is more salty and toxic for fish life. On surface, water with less salt will accumulate, mainly coming from rain. In this case, water will slowly separate. Based on this, we have 3 different scenarios.įirst scenario: on an oceanic planet, if there are no strong currents (tidal forces and internal heating), the ocean will have weak currents. This would force us to build Artificial Continents or to use Ground Insulation. If this melts, they will become an Oceanic Planet. Many celestial bodies are covered with a layer of ice. So, there is plenty of salt surrounding us and much of this salt is not like in Earth's oceans. We have detected water flowing on Mars, but researchers say this is in fact salt water. On the other hand, we know that even in waterless worlds, salt exists. However, research from ESA's Rosetta probe revealed that comets are also salty, containing sodium and magnesium. This water can easily be delivered by diverting comets. In case of some waterless worlds, like Mercury, Venus, Moon or even Mars, we have to bring water to them. Again, Europa was measured to find an acid ocean, not suitable for Earth life. Research on Enceladus have shown that its subsurface ocean is also salty and alkaline. For example, Titan's ocean appears to be as salty as the Dead Sea. However, these oceans are different from what we find on Earth. In our Solar System, many planets have subsurface oceans.
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