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Phosphorus in the Clouds of Venus: Potential for Bioavailability
Tetyana Milojevic1, Allan H Treiman2, Sanjay S Limaye3
1Space Biochemistry Group, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Astrobiology
|August 3, 2021
Summary
Phosphorus (P) in Venus
Area of Science:
- Astrobiology
- Planetary Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
Background:
- Sulfur (S) and iron (Fe) in Venus' clouds are known, but phosphorus (P) is understudied.
- P is an essential nutrient for life, crucial for understanding Venus' potential habitability.
- Phosphorus's role in Venus' multiphase cloud chemistry and atmospheric deposition is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of phosphorus (P) in Venus's cloud deck.
- To assess P's bioavailability for potential microbial life in Venus's atmosphere.
- To explore P's sources and chemical behavior within Venus's atmospheric chemistry.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing data, including VeGa lander measurements.
- Review of current understanding of phosphorus atmospheric chemistry.
- Integration of P as an inorganic nutrient into hypothetical atmospheric (bio)chemical cycles.
Main Results:
- VeGa data suggest a substantial phosphorus layer in Venus's lower clouds.
- Detected P abundances exceed minimum requirements for terrestrial microbial life.
- Extreme atmospheric acidification may enhance P solubility and bioavailability.
Conclusions:
- Phosphorus is a key nutrient for a potential Venusian cloud ecosystem.
- Further measurements of P abundance and speciation are needed.
- Understanding P deposition is critical for assessing Venus's habitability.
Keywords:
Airborne microbiotaAtmospheric chemistry. Astrobiology 21, 1250–1263PhosphorusVeGa-1 and VeGa-2Venusian cloudsMore Related Videos
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