Summary. The possibility of sulfur patches on the Jovian satellite Europa being of biogenic origin is discussed. The presence of microbial mats, and the accumulation of sulfur on the surface of some Antarctic subglacial lakes, are correlated with the sulfur traces found on Europa by means of microbiological processes. Special attention has been paid to the influence of temperature and radiation on the icy surface of this Jovian satellite. An optimum penetration depth to look for biomarkers is proposed, based on biogeochemical parameters.

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(*) Biodata: Dr. Suman Dudeja did her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Delhi, India in the year 1996. Currently she is Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry, A. R. S. D. College, University of Delhi, India. She is actively involved at the University designing a course on industrial chemistry for undergraduates. She is also associated with the Institute of Life Long Learning for designing e-contents for undergraduate chemistry.
Previously she has worked as scientist with Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Industry, a multinational company in India involved in drug development. She worked with the National Physical Laboratory, India in the field of luminescent phosphors. For a short while she joined a group of carbon fibers and then continued her interest in organic luminescent materials. She is Junior Associate of the ICTP since 2001. She has won fellowships from the Council of Scientific Research (CSIR), The Centre of Advanced Studies (CAS) and the University Grants Commission (UGC), India.
Currently, her research interests are astrobiology and luminescent materials (organic and inorganic).

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