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Cloud photochemistry and its effect on the composition of the upper atmosphere of Venus
Author(s) -
Rowland Glenn A.,
Phillips Leon F.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2000gl011793
Subject(s) - photodissociation , atmosphere of venus , sulfuric acid , venus , atmosphere (unit) , photochemistry , ion , troposphere , astrobiology , chemistry , atmospheric chemistry , hydroxyl radical , chemical composition , radical , inorganic chemistry , ozone , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , geology , organic chemistry , physics
Laboratory studies of the 248 nm photooxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) in concentrated sulfuric acid solutions indicate that photochemical reactions in the sulfuric acid clouds of Venus are capable of affecting the composition of the atmosphere at high altitudes, by removing O 2 and CO and regenerating CO 2 . Major primary processes are the production of SO 3 − radical ions by photolysis of solvated SO 2 , and of SO 4 − radical ions by photolysis of complex ions containing Fe(III), if traces of iron salts are present. Secondary processes are similar to those which result in the formation of acid rain in Earth's troposphere.