Production of ammonia makes Venusian clouds habitable and explains observed cloud-level chemical anomalies
William Bains, Janusz J. Petkowski, Paul B. Rimmer, Sara Seager
Abstract
Significance This research provides a transformative hypothesis for the chemistry of the atmospheric cloud layers of Venus while reconciling decades-long atmosphere anomalies. Our model predicts that the clouds are not entirely made of sulfuric acid, but are partially composed of ammonium salt slurries, which may be the result of biological production of ammonia in cloud droplets. As a result, the clouds are no more acidic than some extreme terrestrial environments that harbor life. Life could be making its own environment on Venus. The model’s predictions for the abundance of gases in Venus’ atmosphere match observation better than any previous model, and are readily testable.
Topics & Concepts
VenusSulfuric acidAtmosphere of VenusAstrobiologyAmmoniaAtmosphere (unit)AmmoniumAtmospheric chemistryAtmospheric sciencesEnvironmental scienceChemistryGeologyMeteorologyPhysicsInorganic chemistryOrganic chemistryOzonePlanetary Science and ExplorationAstro and Planetary ScienceSpace Exploration and Technology