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On the possible roles of gaseous sulfur and sulfanes in the atmosphere of Venus
Author(s) -
Prinn Ronald G.
Publication year - 1979
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/gl006i010p00807
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , astrobiology , venus , sulfur , atmosphere of venus , ultraviolet , photodissociation , atmospheric sciences , exothermic reaction , atmospheric chemistry , environmental science , photochemistry , chemistry , physics , meteorology , optics , thermodynamics , ozone , organic chemistry
We discuss the possible importance of gaseous elemental sulfur (particularly S 2 S 3 (thiozone) and S 4 ) and sulfanes (H 2 S n ) in the lower atmosphere of Venus. These species absorb visible and near ultraviolet light. They can provide a local heating source which could drive convection in the 10‐40 km altitude region and may also contribute to the ultraviolet markings on the planet. Photodissociation of these species will result in non‐equilibrium concentrations of S and SH. This drives the lower atmosphere away from the thermochemical equilibrium species: COSH 2 Sand S n and toward SO 2 and possibly H 2 S n . Some H 2 O is also converted to O 2 . We also discuss exothermic reactions which can provide local heating and light on the night‐side.