Exogenic controls on sulfuric acid hydrate production at the surface of Europa

► We model distributions of electron and ion flux and sulfuric acid hydrate for Europa. ► We find high correlation between acid hydrate production and sulfur ion flux. ► Electron energy and sulfur ion flux working together dominate acid production. ► Regions of low energy and/or sulfur ion flux exhibit the least radiolytic processing. ► Deposits in these regions are likely to more closely represent ocean composition.