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Photochemically produced compounds on Titan, principally acetylene, ethane and organic solids, would release energy when consumed with atmospheric hydrogen, at levels of 334, 57, and 54 kJ mol −1 , respectively. On Earth methanogenic bacteria can survive on this energy level. Here we speculate on the possibility of widespread methanogenic life in liquid methane on Titan. Hydrogen may be the best molecule to show the affects of such life because it does not condense at the tropopause and has no sources or sinks in the troposphere. If life is consuming atmospheric hydrogen it will have a measurable effec to n the hydrogen mixing ratio in the troposphere if the biological consumption is greater than 10 8 cm −2 s −1 . Life could develop strategies to overcome the low solubility of organics in liquid methane and use catalysts to accelerate biochemical reactions despite the low temperature. The results of the recen t Huygens probe could indicate the presence of such life by anomalous depletions of acetylene and ethane as well as hydrogen at the surface.
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 157 | |
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